By 2050, it is estimated that there will be some 7 million consumer leisure drones in operation across Europe, including a fleet of 400 000 drones offering important services across the agricultural, energy, e-commerce, transport as well as public sectors.
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
NASA Study on Air Traffic Controller Acceptability of UAS Detect-and-Avoid Thresholds
NASA conducted a human-in-the-loop experiment with 15 retired air traffic controllers to investigate two research questions: (a) what procedures are appropriate for the use of unmanned aircraft system (UAS) detect-and-avoid systems, and (b) how long in advance of a predicted close encounter should pilots request or execute a separation maneuver. Continue reading
FAA Lacks Risk-Based Oversight Process for Civil UAS
The Office of the Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Transportation has some recommendations for the FAA’s strategy in regulating unmanned aircraft vehicles. The OIG recently released an audit report after receiving feedback from the FAA prior to release. Continue reading
Free Air Traffic App for UK Drone Operators
British startup Altitude Angel has, in conjunction with air traffic control service NATS, launched an air-traffic-as-a-service app for drone operators. Drone Assist “presents drone pilots with an interactive map of areas of airspace used by commercial air traffic”, according to Altitude Angel. Continue reading
Transport Canada to Reform UAV Regulations
Transport Canada is expected to issue new regulations for visual line-of-sight operations of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the late spring of 2017. The regulations would replace the current system of Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs) for which commercial operators of small aircraft must apply on a case-by-case basis. Continue reading
UK Officials Tour West Coast to Highlight Advanced Drone Regulations
Last week a delegation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle experts from the United Kingdom met with industry leaders in California to highlight the United Kingdom’s regulatory leadership. Continue reading
California Leads in Unauthorized UAS Encounters
California has had more disclosed unauthorized Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) encounters than any other state between October 2015 and September 2016—accounting for 21 percent of the reported encounters nationwide—according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These encounters continue to pose a direct risk to public safety air assets. Continue reading
New FAA Video Stresses Holiday Drone Safety
If you’re one of the lucky people who gets a drone as a holiday present, the Federal Aviation Administration wants you to know how to fly it safely. The agency has released this new video reminding everyone of the rules and regulations that safe drone pilots must follow. Continue reading