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
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
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.
JARUS External Consultation on Guidance on RPAS C2 Link RCP
The JARUS proposed Guidance on RPAS C2 Link Required Communication Performance (RCP) & the relevant comment form are now available on the JARUS website for external consultation.
The purpose of this guidance material is to explain the concept of RPAS C2 Link RCP, identify whether its requirements are applicable to the provision of C2 communications, support the use of command and control communications within a RPAS, and provide a basis for the application of C2 Link RCP in the context of operational scenarios. Continue reading
San Diego Gas & Electric Gets FAA Approval for UAS Tests
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) a Special Airworthiness Certificate for a small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), allowing the utility to research, test and train flight crews on the UAS in a sparsely populated airspace in Eastern San Diego County. SDG&E is the first utility in the nation to be granted FAA approval for this technology. Continue reading
EuroUSC-Italia to Support Development of Light RPAS in Italian Market
UK based European UAV Systems Centre Limited (EuroUSC) has announced the formation of EuroUSC-Italia a Joint Venture company with Deep Blue S.r.l. based in Rome. The new organisation is now fully operational and is offering the full Light Unmanned Aircraft Scheme (LUASS) to Italian Flight Schools, Manufacturers and Operators. Continue reading
Royal Aeronautical Society Conference
Integrating remotely piloted air systems (RPAS) into civilian airspace in Europe is not going to be easy. Official programmes are many, work is extensive, detailed and ongoing, but anyone expecting an early resolution is going to be disappointed. This was the picture gleaned from a series of presentations at last month’s RPASToday: Opportunities and Challenges conference, run by the Royal Aeronautical Society in London.
FAA on Track to Meet September 2015 Deadline
When Jim Williams, manager of the FAA’s Office of Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration, spoke at the Delta AgTech Symposium at the Memphis, Tenn., Agricenter on Tuesday (July 8), UAS enthusiasts had their questions ready. Continue reading
Amazon Applies to FAA for Permission to Start Test Flights
Amazon wants to start flying its UAS, moving from what some called a PR stunt, to a true delivery business. But to do that, they need to conduct test flights. The company has now formally requested an exemption from Federal Aviation Administration rules that largely prohibit the use of UASfor commercial purposes.