The FAA is expanding tests of an automated system that will ultimately provide near real-time processing of airspace authorization requests for unmanned aircraft (UAS) operators nationwide. Under the FAA’s Part 107 small drone rule, operators must get approval from the agency to operate in any airspace controlled by an air traffic facility. To facilitate those […]
drones
Academy of Model Aeronautics offers to help NTSB investigate drone accidents
Officials with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) sent a letter to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offering AMA’s more than 80 years of experience in the investigation of any potential incident involving a manned and unmanned aircraft system (UAS). In the letter, AMA President Rich Hanson writes: “The recent potential incidents involving manned […]
The Complete Remote Pilot just published
New from ASA is “The Complete Remote Pilot,” a textbook for anyone interested in getting a remote pilot certificate, which is required to operate drones for commercial use. With a friendly and readable style, authors Bob Gardner and David Ison cover all of the details involved in becoming a competent, responsible, and safe remote pilot, according […]
Geospatial Intelligence program goes online
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — With drone technology advancing into more and more industries, the aerospace department at Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) is gearing up to take its Geospatial Intelligence Analysis program online this fall. The move to a distance learning format will allow the college to train students around the world for […]
KSAV working to integrate drones into airport operations
SAVANNAH, Georgia — Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is partnering with Woolpert to integrate unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technologies into airport and airfield operations. KSAV is one of the first commercial service airports to formally integrate drone technologies into its regular operational programs for inspection, maintenance, monitoring and facility management, including supporting its Part 139 […]
Drone Pilot Code released
As a way to address safety concerns arising from the widespread use of small unmanned aircraft, the Aviators Code Initiative and the University Aviation Association have released a code for drone pilots aimed at advancing safety, airmanship, and professionalism. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilots Code (UASPC) provides a set of principles and practices to help […]
More than 1 million drones registered
Work continues on ways to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System, as the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed earlier this month that more than 1 million drones have been registered with the FAA. That figure includes 878,000 recreational operators, who are each assigned a single identification number for all UAS […]
Shark Tank for drones
Five finalists of the first Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Innovation Challenge will get 10 minutes to sell their new technology to government and industry representatives on Feb. 7, 2018. This is AUVSI’s inaugural Innovation Challenge, which gives small, start-up and early stage companies operating in the commercial, defense, and non-traditional unmanned systems or […]
Development of autonomous air tanker begins
The arsenal of airborne tactics available to firefighters and first responders may soon grow as Thrush Aircraft has formed an alliance with unmanned aerial vehicle and systems manufacturer Drone America to begin development of the world’s first autonomous air tanker. The new tanker is expected to blend Thrush’s airframe and airborne delivery system expertise with […]