With the holiday season fast approaching, many individuals may find an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), also known as a drone, under their tree this year. It is important to know that there are regulations and safety practices that every UAS enthusiast should take into consideration before every flight to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. To find […]
drones
FAA restricts drone operations over Department of Energy facilities
At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the FAA has restricted drone operations over seven Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. The FAA and DOE have agreed to restrict drone flights up to 400 feet within the lateral boundaries of these sites: Hanford Site, Franklin County, Washington; Pantex Site, Panhandle, Texas; Los […]
Defense Bill would reinstate drone registration
A defense funding bill now on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature includes a provision that would reinstate mandatory registration for recreational small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) weighing less than 55 pounds. Passed by the Senate on Nov. 16, 2017, the National Defense Authorization Act includes language that would overturn a […]
FAA seeks public input on drone design standards
For the first time, the FAA is seeking public comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for an unmanned aircraft system, more popularly known as a “drone.” The Federal Register notice asks for comments on proposed design standards needed for the FlightScan Corporation Camcopter S-100 to fly safely in U.S. airspace. The ultimate goal of this, and […]
Collegiate Drone Challenge takes off
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), an association for model aircraft flying hobbyists, and the University Aviation Association (UAA) have launched the Collegiate Drone Challenge. The UAS4STEM Collegiate Challenge is designed for university students to learn, practice, and demonstrate professional unmanned aircraft system (UAS) knowledge, mission planning, flight skills, data collection, analysis, and safety practices […]
Sebring’s DroneZone to feature one of largest drone races in the world
The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo‘s DroneZone 2018 will feature one of the largest drone races in the world with participants from all major continents. This is the second year for the DroneZone at the expo, held at the Sebring Regional Airport (KSEF) in Florida. The event is slated for Jan. 24-27, 2018. Highlighting the excitement will […]
Jump into the world of drones
The FAA projects that between 2016 and 2020 sales of small, hobbyist unmanned aircraft systems and sales of UAS for commercial purposes are expected to grow from 2.5 million to 7 million. Four Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professors have written a guide to help enthusiasts better understand the booming field. The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) […]
Video: Ride along with the drones
Red Bull DR.ONE saw 18 international drone racing teams from 14 countries put their skills and technology to the test on Sept. 30, 2017. Taking place at the Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, Austria, the event featured custom-built drones flying at speeds of up to 90 mph through the Trap Gates, which were inspired by […]
FAA restricts drones over national landmarks
At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the FAA has banned drones over 10 national landmarks. Officials from the FAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI), have restricted drone flights up to 400 feet within these sites: Statue of Liberty, New York, N.Y.; Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston; Independence […]