Category Archives: Regulatory Matters

On Friday August 28t, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the beta version of a new smartphone application called “B4UFLY” for testing by up to 1,000 unmanned aircraft users.

The B4UFLY app, aimed primarily at model aircraft enthusiasts, is designed to give users information about restrictions or requirements in effect at their current or planned flight location. The FAA expects the beta test will yield valuable data on how well B4UFLY functions, as well as uncovering any software bugs.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta first announced the initiative in May, asking for volunteers to test the app. The FAA has notified those who previously signed up and will be pushing the app to them directly in the coming days.

Many unmanned aircraft users today have little or no aviation experience, and some of them are flying where they could endanger manned aircraft. B4UFLY will give these flyers the tools and knowledge they need to operate safely. Continue reading →

In a possible sign of how seriously FAA is taking unmanned aircraft operations in national airspace — or maybe just a sign of how absurd matters have gotten — the FAA has approved the first ever toy powered paper airplane to fly commercially in U.S. airspace. Continue reading →

DOT’s Inspector General (IG) plans to begin an audit this month of FAA’s current processes for approving civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and overseeing their safe operation, noting “the significant and complex challenges” of safely integrating UAS into the national airspace system. Continue reading →

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a new list of pilot, air traffic and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft (UAS). The reports cover November 13, 2014 through August 20, 2015. Continue reading →

Pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, from a total of 238 sightings in all of 2014, to more than 650 by August 9 of this year. The FAA wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous and illegal. Unauthorized operators may be subject to stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time. Continue reading →

The Federal Aviation Administration has given aircraft operating in conjunction with the state’s Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site permission to fly at night. Continue reading →

UK-headquartered trade body the European Regions Airlines Association (ERA) claims that air passengers are being put at risk by the growing use of unmanned air vehicles, and has called for more regulation and control over their use. Continue reading →