The FAA should expedite its rule governing the operation of small commercial unmanned aerial systems, AOPA told the House Aviation Subcommittee in comments submitted for the record as part of a Dec. 10 hearing on UAS technology. In its statement, AOPA also recommended that the FAA take steps to address dangerous operations by recreational UAS users, including stipulating penalties. Continue reading
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
EU Court Ruling Means Civilian use of Drones in Public Must Comply with Data Protection Laws
Hobbyists and other individuals using remotely piloted aircraft systems, or ‘drones’, to capture images in public will be required to ensure that the activity complies with EU data protection laws in future, in light of an EU court ruling.12 Dec 2014 Continue reading
FAA Will Miss September 2015 Commercial Rules Deadline
In August, the Federal Aviation Administration missed a key deadline for developing rules for small commercial drones. Now the agency says that because of the delay, it will also miss its original September 2015 deadline for final rules. Continue reading
ADS-B Approved for RPAS in Australia
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority CASA has issued the first 24 bit address to allow a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) to be fitted with ADS-B (Automated Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) so it can be seen by air traffic control and other commercial aircraft during flight.
FAA Grants Five More Commercial UAS Exemptions
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted five regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations to four companies representing several industries that promise to benefit from UAS technology. Continue reading
GAO Report Outlines Challenges for UAS in National Airspace
The watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office issued report on the integration of unmanned aerial systems as it calls them, in US national airspace (NAS) today ahead of a congressional hearing on the topic. As it has noted in past reports, the GAO said the main issues continue to include the ability for drones to avoid other aircraft in the sky; what backup network is available and how should the system behave if it loses its communications link.
Where you Can and Can’t Fly a Drone
Thousands will receive drones as Christmas presents this year but, as a recent near-miss with an airliner shows, the authorities face a battle to stop them being used irresponsibly.
South African CAA publishes RPAS Legislation for Public Comment
After many work group meetings SA CAA has finally reached agreement with CUAASA and Industry on the details of the “Phase 1 RPAS Regulations”. Continue reading

