A startup called Airware is working with NASA on a project exploring how to manage the swarms of commercial drones expected to start appearing in U.S. skies. The four-year programme will create a series of prototype air traffic management systems and could shape how widely commercial drones can be used. Airware’s main business is selling control software and hardware to drone manufacturers and operators.
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
Yamaha Waits for FAA Approval on Agricultural UAS
The Yamaha Motor Co. is waiting to hear whether the Federal Aviation Administration will grant its RMAX drone a regulatory exemption that will let it operate commercially in certain areas of the U.S. The helicopter has been used in Japan for about two decades to spray crops.
India Bans Civilian UAS Until Regulation Exists
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has started formulating rules and regulations for the operation of UAS. However, the aviation regulator has declared that till the policies are announced, their use is prohibited.
FAA Statement on MITRE’s Independent Assessment and Recommendations for NextGen
An undertaking as complex as the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) deserves thorough, periodic evaluation to consider what the aviation community has accomplished to date, where things stand, and where the effort is headed. At the FAA’s request, MITRE/CAASD has conducted such an assessment over the last several months and has delivered its recommendations to the FAA. Continue reading
India Frees Up Spectrum Band for Commercial UAS
After years of delay, the government is set to issue at least half-a-dozen licences for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to private players, although civilian use still remains a closed area. Continue reading
Australia to Certify 150th Unmanned Aircraft Operator
A major milestone is about to be recorded by the Australian unmanned aircraft industry with the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to certify its 150th certified unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operator this month. This milestone represents a 50% increase in the number of CASA certified UAS operators since May this year. If the current pace is sustained, the number of certified operators is now likely to pass 200 by as soon as March 2015. Continue reading
Google, Amazon, DJI and GoPro Lead Small UAV Lobby Group
Leading technology companies have formally announced the formation of the Small UAV Coalition to help pave the way for commercial, philanthropic, and civil use of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in the United States and abroad. Chief among the organization’s goals is to advance a regulatory environment that will support safe, reliable, and timely operation of small UAVs. Continue reading
Insurance Company Requests FAA Approval to Test UAS
USAA , the United Services Automobile Association, has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to research how unmanned aircraft systems could be used to help improve how quickly it settles insurance claims for its members during natural disasters. Continue reading