FAA

Drones are getting a presidential thumbs up, as President Donald Trump has directed Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to launch the Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program.

An FAA advisory panel on drone regulations is split on whether to implement rules on tracking and identifying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Before media organizations implement a drone program in the U.S., they should understand Part 107, the FAA rules and regulations for commercial drones.

The Federal Aviation Administration is doing what it can to support the recovery efforts in Houston following the effects of Hurricane Harvey, by issuing a number of unmanned aircraft system authorizations for drone operators.

Elwell returns to the FAA during a historic period of safety and change as air traffic control reform is being considered to speed airspace modernization and new entrants like unmanned aerial vehicles and commercial spacecraft are integrated into the airspace system.

The Federal Aviation Administration has set up a committee to devise rules for identifying operating drones.

Last week’s court ruling vacating the federal drone registration requirement drew a mixed response from industry parties around the world. The world’s largest drone manufacturer instituted its own registration program, restricting access to full activation.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today ruled in favor of John Taylor, a Washington, D.C. model aircraft enthusiast who challenged the FAA’s registration requirement in court.

DJI has launched a mini-drone. The drone-maker describes the Spark as “an easy-to-use, fun-to-fly mini camera drone that lifts off from the palm of your hand.”

The inspector general’s office of the U.S. Department of Transportation is auditing the waiver process used by the FAA to allow operations now prohibited under the rules adopted last June for unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds.

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly thinks thousands of tower owners in the United States were caught up unintentionally in a rule change recently made by Congress.

The FAA and the AUVSI will co-host the 2nd Annual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium March 27-29, 2017 in Reston, Va.

New regulations cover commercial use of UAS

Commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems operators will soon be able to take to the air with the FAA’s blessing, as the administration has announced that it has finalized the first operational rules for routine commercial use of small UAS.

One of the major concerns for the Federal Aviation Administration on the use of unmanned aircraft systems, aka drones, has been the use of such devices around major airports.

The National Association of Tower Erectors has commended the U.S. Senate’s recent reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Federal Aviation Administration has granted Intuitive Aerial, makers of the Aerigon pro cinema UAV, a Section 333 exemption to operate any aircraft on the administration’s List of Approved Unmanned Aerial Systems.

The FAA is raising the blanket altitude for 333 waivers and considering recommendations for flight over people.