Category Archives: Regulatory Matters

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 →