PORT MANSFIELD, Texas – Texas A&M University Corpus Christi’s Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems research center (LSUASC) conducted flight operations in early March to test a ground-based sense-and-avoid radar system designed to identify small remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in a specific airspace. Bob Alger, Director of Business Development for SRC, Inc., said the equipment could be used, […]
remotely piloted aircraft
Sharing the skies with RPAs
They fly, so pilots could love Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) [with other terms also used, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and drones.] Some pilots are already involved with RPAs. However, RPA pilots remain on the ground. Is that the same? Differences have a way of dividing people, even when they may […]
Lindbergh Foundation launches Air Shepherd program
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 […]
Companies partner for RPA management and maintenance
SkyWard and Robotic Skies have teamed to provide safety, compliance, and maintenance solutions to the remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) community. Through SkyWard’s digital system of record and Robotic Skies’ global maintenance network, RPA operators can track and manage their fleet, whether in the air or on the ground for routine inspections and repair. “Airworthiness is the responsibility of […]
Kansas university gets statewide access for RPAs
Kansas State University Salina has reached a milestone in the unmanned aircraft industry, becoming the first in the country to receive approval from the FAA for statewide access during flight operations. The university has received three Certificates of Authorization that will allow its remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) program to conduct research anywhere in the state […]
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 […]
New RPA rules: A good first step
The FAA’s proposed rule on commercial small remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is a good first step, according to officials with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “Our top priority throughout all these discussions … has been maintaining safety for the pilots and passengers using the national airspace system,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and […]
FAA releases long-awaited RPA rules
The FAA has released its proposed rule on the use of small remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). In an unusual Sunday morning press conference, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta released the details of the proposed rule, which affects RPAs that weigh less than 55 pounds and are flown for non-recreational purposes. Under […]