Just got your hands on a drone and can’t wait to use it to shoot aerial photographs? First, make sure you only use it where it can legally fly. If you’re not sure where to look for this info, there’s a new website designed just for you. It’s called Don’t Fly Drones Here (DFDH), and is an interactive map that shows off limit areas of the US by shading them in with red.
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
Philippines Issues UAS Regulations
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) recently issued a memorandum regulating the operation of unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs). Under the CAAP’s Memorandum Circular No. 21 series of 2014 dated June 26, 2014, drone owners or operators are now required to register their equipment with the CAAP, and secure a certification to operate from the agency. Continue reading
Obama to Issue Executive Order on UAS Privacy
President Barack Obama plans to issue an executive order to develop privacy guidelines for commercial UAS operating in U.S. airspace, according to POLITICO. The order would put the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, an arm of the Commerce Department, in charge of developing the guidelines. NTIA would bring together companies and consumer groups to hammer out a series of voluntary best practices for unmanned aerial vehicles.
Aermatica Receives First Italian Authorization to Conducty a Crtitical RPAS Operation
Italian company Aermatica, using its Anteos RPA has received the first authorization to conduct a critical operation in Italy. This authorization was issued in accordance with the Regulations on Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) brought out by ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (2004.01)
CAA Issues Notice of Future Requirement for a Safety Case Assessment for sUAS
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued an Information Notice to inform operators of civil Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) and Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft (SUSA) within the weight category 7 – 20 kg that there will be a future need for their aircraft to be assessed for airworthiness in relation to operating within 150 m of a congested area.
FAA Issues Statement on Texas Equusearch UAS Court Decision
The court’s decision in favour of the FAA regarding the Texas Equusearch matter has no bearing on the FAA’s authority to regulate UAS. The FAA remains legally responsible for the safety of the national airspace system. This authority is designed to protect users of the airspace as well as people and property on the ground. Continue reading
Frontex Enthusiastic about RPAS
The European agency tasked with keeping watch over the EU’s external borders, Frontex, is enthusiastic about adopting remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to help them in that job. But significant challenges–some technical but the majority legal–mean that unmanned aircraft are unlikely to be deployed to help defend EU borders in the near future. Continue reading
ACUO Comments on Australian Parliament Report
The Australian Certified UAV Operators Association (ACUO) notes the release of the report ‘Eyes in the Sky’ by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs.