NASA, working with government and industry partners, is testing a system that would make it possible for unmanned aircraft to fly routine operations in United States airspace. Continue reading
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
UAS Privacy Issues Present Legal Challenges
A Florida aviation attorney and author of a book on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) law believes that addressing privacy issues related to drones won’t be resolved quickly or easily. Continue reading
New UAV Regulations Will Harm South Africa
The Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Association of South Africa (CUAASA) has warned that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that could deliver services and create jobs will be effectively grounded if the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) implements its new UAV regulations, impacting service delivery and job creation.
Feinstein Bill on Collision Avoidance Software
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to require commercial drones to be equipped with collision avoidance software in an effort to prevent mid-air crashes between the devices and airplanes carrying passengers.
Feinstein said the measure, which has been dubbed the Consumer Drone Safety Act, is necessary because of the high number of near collisions that are reported by pilots to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“If we don’t act now, it’s only a matter of time before we have a tragedy on our hands,” Feinstein said in a statement about the introduction of the legislation. Continue reading
Amazon Says States Should Not Undermine FAA Rules
Amazon Inc does not want local communities and states to be permitted to “regulate unmanned aerial systems” warranted by aviation regulators. The American Internet-based store is seeking to strengthen its objective in delivering products through drones. Continue reading
Amazon 30 Minute Drone Delivery Service will be Ready when FAA Regulations Change
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated in a congressional hearing that regulations for commercial drones will be finalized and put in place within one year. Almost immediately after, Amazon said that as soon as these regulations are implemented, they will be ready to launch their drone delivery system. Continue reading
7 Insights from the FAA’s Former Leader
Jim Williams, who managed the FAA office to integrate drones into the U.S. airspace, retired last week. Before departing for a vacation of visiting ballparks with his family, Williams spoke at McKenna Long & Aldrige’s unmanned aircraft systems symposium in Washington, D.C.
New Predator B Variant on Track to be Certified for Flight in European Airspace
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that it reached a significant milestone in its Independent Research and Development (IRAD) program to design, develop, and produce a variant of the Predator B RPA to be certified for flight according to the NATO Airworthiness Standard for unmanned aircraft.