UAS VISION
an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
Model Aircraft with Enthusiast Photo: Rich Beauchesne
As the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act, HR 658, makes its way through the US House of Representatives, it is provoking concern amongst model aircraft enthusiasts who fear that government regulators can’t make the difference between model aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems.
In anticipation of a complete review of the conditions of integrating non-military UAS into the US civilian airspace (known as the National Airspace System in the US) the FAA has issued new interim guidelines for the operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
ICAO Circular 328, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) – ISBN 978-92-9231-751-5 – has now been published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The purpose of this circular is to:
The Australian Government Civil Aviation Safety Authority make clear their definition of a UAS Operator, and simplfy the process for obtaining a licence.
Ready for Launch
Mesa County Sheriff (Colorado, USA) is the first US Public Safety Agency to receive an FAA Certificate of Authorization to operate the Draganflyer X6 helicopter for law enforcement use over a 3,300 square mile area.
Below is the text pertaining to UAS that appeared in the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 that was introduced into the House of Representatives on 11 February 2011. For the full text (258 page.pdf) click here. Extract:
A recent amendment to the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) “Research Opportunities In Aeronautics – 2010” calls for a 5-page White Paper to be submitted by February 25, 2011 as step 1 in a two-step programme. The expected annual programme budget is $7.5M for Year 1 and up to $2M/year in Years 2-5.
Yesterday, in reply to its petition, UVS International received a letter from Mr Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Responsible for Transport, in which Mr Kallas indicated that he fully shared the views of UVS International. In addition, in reference to the European Commission’s High Level Group, which is being constituted “to develop a single European Roadmap dealing with the structural, institutional and regulatory measures that need to be tackled”, Mr Kallas indicated “Without wanting to pre-empt any decisions that will be taken in this regard, I am confident that the close involvement of UVS International to this work will be ensured”.