The quest for un-piloted air taxi service took a step forward yesterday as Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe became the first sitting governor to fly in a fully automated aircraft. Continue reading
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
EASA Publishes NPA for Open and Specific Categories and Associated Regulatory Impact Assessment
On 5 May 2017 EASA published the Notice of Proposed Amendment 2017-05 (A).
And on 12 May 2017 EASA published the Notice of Proposed Amendment 2017-05 (B).
Both of these documents introduce a regulatory framework for the operation of civil drones and pertain to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations in the “open” and “specific” category. Continue reading
EASA Publishes Proposal on sUAS Operations
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a proposal to regulate the operation of small drones in Europe. All interested parties are welcome to comment this proposal from 12 May until 12 August 2017.
Small Drones Safer Near People than Previously Thought
Small drones are safer to operate near people than originally thought, according to research results presented today by the director of the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center (RSESC) at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) to members of the U.S. Congress and industry representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Advisory Council. Continue reading
FAA Publishes First UAS Facility Map
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published more than 200 facility maps to streamline the commercial drone authorization process. The maps depict areas and altitudes near airports where UAS may operate safely. But drone operators still need FAA authorization to fly in those areas. Continue reading
New Audit of FAA Drone Operation Waivers
The Office of the U.S. DOT Inspector General has initiated another audit into the FAA’s approval and oversight processes for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This audit focuses on the waivers that permit UAS uses to go beyond some of the basic limitations, such as operating beyond line of sight or at night. Continue reading
AriAscend Proposes Electronic Drone ‘License Plate’
AriAscend, an Oregon unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) drone services and data company, proposed a remote identification technology and framework to allow authorities and citizens to identify drones in air.
Sweden Changes Law to Make Drones Legal Again
As reported before, in the autumn of 2016, the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court ruled that a camera mounted on a drone is considered a CCTV camera for purposes of the Swedish Camera Monitoring Act. The judgment meant that using a drone equipped with a camera, where the camera will be directed at a place to which the public has access, requires a licence from the County Administrative Board. Continue reading