WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), will hold a hearing Wednesday on issues related to remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) safety. The hearing will be streamed live online. The FAA first authorized civil RPA operations in U.S. airspace in 1990. Recent and rapid advancements in technology have made RPA more accessible […]
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Stop the drone panic
The constant drumbeat of stories about close encounters between airplanes and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can be described as nothing short of a panic, with pilots and non-pilots alike convinced that a drone disaster is looming, says blogger John Zimmerman of the Air Facts Journal. “And yet, I am unable to find a single verified […]
Want to know the latest about drones?
Remotely piloted aircraft — also known as drones and unmanned aerial systems — seem to be everywhere these days, but keeping up with the regulatory environment is a challenge. The forces behind BuyTheBestDrone.com want to help by providing a continuously updated post on the FAA’s small RPA policy. The post, which was last updated in August, […]
FAA releases pilot drone reports
The FAA has released a new list of pilot, air traffic and citizen reports of possible encounters with remotely piloted aircraft, also known as drones and unmanned aircraft (UAS). The reports cover Nov. 13, 2014, through Aug. 20, 2015. Because pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, FAA officials said […]
FAA passes 1,000 RPA exemptions
The FAA has granted 1,008 exemptions to unmanned aircraft operations. Companies and individuals from a broad spectrum of industries are taking advantage of the Section 333 exemption process, according to FAA officials. Many of the exemptions the FAA has issued allow aerial filming for uses such as motion picture production, precision agriculture and real estate photography. […]
Education and innovation the key to safer skies
By BRIAN WYNNE Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) or drones, have grown in the past few years from a niche tool to a must-have holiday toy and business asset. The increasing availability of this technology has led many new enthusiasts to take to the skies, sometimes in places where […]
Sharing the skies with RPAs
They fly, so pilots could love Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) [with other terms also used, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and drones.] Some pilots are already involved with RPAs. However, RPA pilots remain on the ground. Is that the same? Differences have a way of dividing people, even when they may […]
Kansas university gets statewide access for RPAs
Kansas State University Salina has reached a milestone in the unmanned aircraft industry, becoming the first in the country to receive approval from the FAA for statewide access during flight operations. The university has received three Certificates of Authorization that will allow its remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) program to conduct research anywhere in the state […]
UAS test site adds runway
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi now has an airport and runway in its approved flight ranges. The FAA recently approved a new range to test and fly unmanned aircraft that includes the Port Mansfield Airport. The center, located in Corpus Christi, is one of […]