The FAA’s new regulations went into effect Aug. 29 for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), more popularly known as drones or remotely piloted aircraft. The provisions of the new rule – formally known as Part 107 – are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground, according to […]
UAS
Commercial drones cleared for takeoff
The new FAA rule governing commercial operations of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) — also known as drones or remotely piloted aircraft — means more businesses and innovators will be able to fly, unlocking the “tremendous economic benefits of the new technology,” according to the top official of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). “The United […]
Insurance company launches drone safety program
USAIG has introduced Performance Vector Unmanned, created specifically for policyholders who insure unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as remotely piloted aircraft and drones. The program serves to keep safety at the forefront, which is especially critical considering that UAS outnumber registered manned aircraft, company officials note. The program’s predecessor, Performance Vector, was established in […]
Video: senseFly & Air Navigation Pro join forces to reduce the risk of mid-air collision
LONDON — Drone maker senseFly has teamed with the aviation navigation app, Air Navigation Pro, to launch Safer Together. The joint initiative is designed to address one of the biggest issues facing the general aviation and unmanned aircraft communities: The risk of mid-air collision. Safer Together will provide GA pilots and drone operators with awareness of each other’s airborne […]
Northrop Grumman donates UAS equipment to Minnesota college
THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn. — Northrop Grumman is donating the use of equipment related to the Bat Unmanned Aircraft System to Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) as part of the continuing support of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) efforts in the Red River Valley area of North Dakota and Minnesota. The Bat is a medium altitude, […]
Report: Most drone accidents cause by technology failures
A new story at Mashable reports that researchers in Australia have found that most drone accidents were caused by technology issues, rather than human error. Led by Graham Wild, a senior lecturer in aviation at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, the researchers reviewed a sample of 152 global drone event reports between 2006 and 2015. The most […]
Video: New small drone rule goes into effect Aug. 29
A new world of opportunities for drone operators opens Aug. 29 when the new small drone rule for non-hobbyists becomes effective, according to officials with the FAA. What do you need to do the take advantage of these opportunities? Aeronautical Knowledge Test One important step you have to take is to obtain your remote pilot […]
Why drones may save general aviation
Andrew Schmertz, a blogger at the Huffington Post, says in a recent post that the very thing that GA fears could actually save general aviation: Drones. Also known as unmanned aerial systems and remotely piloted aircraft, drones are not only enticing kids into aviation, but also adults, who once they’ve gotten a taste of flight, […]
Video: The artistic side of drones
You may have heard of plans to use drones for delivering packages, monitoring wildlife, or tracking storms. But painting murals? That’s the idea behind a project in Paul Kry’s laboratory at McGill University‘s School of Computer Science. Kry and a few of his students have teamed up to program tiny drones to create dot drawings […]