The ASTM International Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems has recently approved seven new standards that cover all major facets of small unmanned aircraft systems operations, including design, construction, operation and maintenance requirements. Continue reading
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
Spain Issues Blanket Ban on All Commercial UAS
Spain’s State Agency for Aerial Security, the AESA, which is part of the Ministry of Industry, has issued a blanket ban on commercial UAS use everywhere in the country. Continue reading
European Commission Issues Call for Tough Standards to Regulate Civil UAS
The European Commission has yesterday proposed to set tough new standards to regulate the operations of civil UAS (or”remotely piloted aircraft systems” – RPAS). The new standards will cover safety, security, privacy, data protection, insurance and liability. The aim is to allow European industry to become a global leader in the market for this emerging technology, while at the same time ensuring that all the necessary safeguards are in place. Continue reading
New Law Allows UAS Surveillance in Netherlands
The Dutch parliament has approved legislation that will allow UAS to be used for video surveillance of the country’s citizens. Almost all political parties voted in favour of an amendment to the snappily named municipal act relating to the extension of the authority of the mayor to deploy camera surveillance, which had been proposed by two MPs, Ivo Opstelten and Ronald Plasterk. Continue reading
South African CAA Approval Not Necessary for UAS at Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition
South African defence industry companies such as Denel and Paramount Group along with foreign manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), wanting to fly them at Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) later this year will only have to obtain military permission. Continue reading
CAA Gets First UK Conviction for Dangerous UAS Flying
A TV-repair shop owner who has become the first person convicted in the UK for “dangerously” flying a UAS says the fine and legal costs will bankrupt him. Robert Knowles, 46, of Barrow-in-Furness, was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs of £3,500 at the Furness and District Magistrate court on Tuesday after being prosecuted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Continue reading
FAA Rules Out Use of Military Airspace for UAV Tests
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) are enforcing limitations on who can use military airspace, a move that will curtail the number of possible places researchers can fly tests with unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
South African Civil Aviation Authority to Crackdown on Illegal UAS Flying
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) is set to clampdown on the illegal flying, in civil airspace of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV), as normally referred to. The move was prompted by recent reports that purported that there are individuals and/or organisations that are already operating or intending to operate UAS in the South African civil aviation airspace. Continue reading



