A new survey from the Saint Leo University Polling Institute shows the public is divided about whether civilian drones would make great package-delivery vehicles or are nuisances that should be banned. According to the poll, 84% of respondents were aware of unmanned aerial vehicles, more popularly known as drones, up from 78.4% last year. As […]
UAS
Unmanned Safety Institute launches online drone course
ORLANDO, Florida — The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) has launched an online training course to teach drone enthusiasts how to fly safely and minimize risk. The course, known as SAFEGUARD, is a self-paced online course that is approximately one hour in length, and covers safety topics, including understanding airspace, identifying and avoiding hazards, weather effects on […]
FAI establishes Working Group on drones
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — As the world governing body for all air sports recognised by the International Olympic Committee, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is responsible for world drone sports. As part of its work in this area, FAI has established a Working Group on matters related to drones, comprised of members of the FAI Executive Board and […]
Drone helps track great white sharks off Nantucket coast
Aurora recently partnered with OCEARCH, a marine conservation organization, to provide aerial support locating and tracking great white sharks off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The Centaur optionally piloted DA-42 aircraft (OPA) flew above the expedition area in a predetermined flight pattern to help scientists onboard the OCEARCH ship target identify and track the location […]
FAA evaluates drone detection systems around Denver
As part of an effort to evaluate technologies that can be used to safely detect unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) around airports, the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are conducting drone-detection research during the week of Nov. 16, 2016, in the vicinity of Denver International Airport. The work in Denver is one of six […]
Oklahoma No Drone Zone goes into effect Nov. 1
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma House Bill 2599, which restricts the flight of unmanned aircraft over locations and businesses that are considered critical infrastructure, goes into effect Nov. 1, 2016. The bill was passed last year in light of new security concerns for businesses, government facilities and private citizens, according to lawmakers. Sen. Ron Sharp was […]
FAA issues Part 107 waivers, airspace authorizations
The FAA began issuing Part 107 waivers and airspace authorizations to drone operators starting Aug. 29, 2016, the effective date of the new rule. As of Oct. 24, 2016, the agency has approved 81 authorizations for flights in Class D and E airspace, and has issued 36 waivers of Part 107 provisions to drone operators who […]
Video: ALIAS demonstrated on Caravan
MANASSAS, Virginia – Aurora Flight Sciences recently demonstrated its Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) on a Cessna Caravan. On Oct. 17, 2016, Aurora demonstrated the system’s automated flight capabilities with ALIAS flying a Caravan through basic maneuvers under the supervision of a pilot. Developed under contract through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ALIAS […]
$15,000 drone competition launched
SYRACUSE N.Y. — The UTM Convention 2016 and HiddenGenius.com have partnered to launch a technology competition that demonstrates drone sense and avoid technologies (SAA). The enormous growth in the number of small UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) has highlighted the tremendous opportunities in this industry. This includes using drones beyond line of sight to monitor the safety of rail […]