Category Archives: Regulatory Matters

UAS Operators: Be Aware

The Current Situation

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones”, embody the technological progress made in several key technology areas, and the constantly growing number of their potential applications holds the promise of supplying substantial societal benefits. The design, production, and the use of UAS, and the associated ecosystem, represent a sector with significant economic value and have the potential to create a wide variety of jobs in all 27 European Union (EU) Member States. Continue reading →

New York Power Authority Receives FAA Waiver Allowing Automated Drone Operations

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has received its first federal approval to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot in command. In a significant step forward, this Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver enables NYPA to conduct fully remote drone operations such as asset and vegetative management inspections at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County. Continue reading →

Senators Introduce Legislation to Support Integration of Drones into Airspace

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and John Thune (R-SD) introduced the Increasing Competitiveness for American Drones Act of 2023, comprehensive legislation to streamline the approvals process for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights and clear the way for drones to be used for commercial transport of goods across the country – making sure that the U.S. remains competitive globally in a growing industry increasingly dominated by competitors like China. Continue reading →

Percepto Obtains BVLOS Exemption Denial from FAA

Autonomous inspection and monitoring solutions provider Percepto has announced a first-of-its-kind exemption denial from the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA’s denial provides cause for the whole industry to celebrate, as for the first time it allows Percepto to operate Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without humans onsite, eliminating a burdensome exemption process that has been required to enable remote pre-flight check under Part 107. Continue reading →

US EPA Approves the SnifferDRONE for Monitoring Landfill Methane Emissions

The US EPA has just published OTM-051 – UAS application of Method 21 for Surface Emissions Monitoring, effectively approving the utilizing the SnifferDRONE method providing a more comprehensive, more effective, and safer means for identifying methane (CH4) leaks over landfills and terrestrial bodies. Continue reading →