The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation recently launched its Air Shepherd program, which uses remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to stop the poaching of elephants and rhinos in Africa. At the present rate of killing, it is estimated that there will be no elephants or rhinos in the wild in 10 years, according to foundation officials. “About […]
drones
Some big questions about RPAs, including the big one: Insurance
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In 2014 there were 2,294 national airspace violations. That would be an average of more than six every day. In most of these incidents the persons involved were licensed pilots. What do these abstract figures mean? Perhaps very little unless you were involved in one of the incidents. Or, unless you are […]
Texas issues first permit for RPA agriculture research
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M AgriLife Research have received the state’s first permit to use remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to conduct agricultural research. Research will begin soon in the use of RPAs that will help growers improve crop quality and yields while reducing production costs, savings that could be passed on […]
RPA and football don’t mix, FAA warns
The FAA has issued a warning to operators of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA): Don’t even think about flying over the Super Bowl this Sunday to get your own view of the action.The agency notes that the Super Bowl is strictly a “No Drone Zone.” The FAA bars unauthorized aircraft — including RPAs — from flying over or near NFL […]
Are you ready to share the sky with drones?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), better known as drones, are moving fast in development. General aviation pilots are starting to delve deeper into the subject as FAA expects as many as 30,000 UAS to be flying in U.S. airspace by 2020. Here’s why pilots are looking at what they are sharing the airspace […]
FAA busting drone myths
Busting Myths about the FAA and Unmanned Aircraft” can be found on the FAA’s website. Seven myths in all are touted, then rebutted by “Fact”. For example: Myth #2: Commercial UAS flights are OK if I’m over private property and stay below 400 feet. In this fast moving segment, it is worth the read. Thank you Droneport.com for the link.
VIDEO: ‘We want these [drone] companies to be very successful’
AOPA President Mark Baker at last weekend’s Northwest Aviation Conference in Puyallup, Wash. said, “We want these [drone] companies to be very successful,” in response to question from Washington Pilots Association President Les Smith. Listen to Mark’s comments for yourself in the following video clip.
Droneport.com launches
A new website dedicated to supporting the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles — commonly known as drones — into the existing aviation infrastructure, is now live at Droneport.com. “The sooner we can identify common ground and a mutual language between these two industries, the sooner both can benefit from increased commercial drone operations,” said Brad […]
Other nations ahead of U.S. in use of drones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States lags far behind other nations in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly called drones, but FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told a Congressional Committee, Wednesday, Jan 15, that agency will meet its goal of Dec. 30, 2015, for safe integration of drones in the national airspace system. Japan now […]