WASHINGTON, D.C. – The FAA has granted five regulatory exemptions for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to four companies. The four companies that received exemptions want to fly RPAs — known as Unmanned Aerial Systems by the FAA — to perform operations for aerial surveying, construction site monitoring and oil rig flare stack inspections. “Unmanned aircraft offer […]
UAS
House committee hearing to explore state of RPAs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Aviation Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), will hold a hearing this week on the status of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) integration into U.S. airspace and the development of the RPA industry. While the United States has the technology and practical expertise to be the global leader in […]
Oregon State University to expand RPA work
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University has formed a new group to expand its work and collaboration with remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), as well as marine and terrestrial technologies, sensing and imaging systems. This Autonomous Systems Research Group will help facilitate work on campus, but also conduct public outreach and collaborative work with private industry […]
FAA emphasizing education, regulations to ensure safe integration of RPAs
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta told Candy Crowley on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that education about Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) safety and regulation enforcement needs to be improved in order to actually keep the airways safe. While those operating RPAs tout their benefits, Huerta noted: “On the other side, you have pilots, commercial pilots, […]
Maryland RPA test site receives FAA approval to fly
CALIFORNIA, Md. — The University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site has received a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) from the FAA to conduct tests with a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), the Talon 240, designed and manufactured by UAV Solutions, of Jessup, Md. “This flight authorization is significant because it builds on the existing relationship between the […]
Wynne named AUVSI president
ARLINGTON, Va. — Brian Wynne has been named president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, succeeding the retiring Michael Toscano on Jan. 12, 2015. Wynne is now president of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA), a post he has held since April 2004. The organization promotes battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and […]
RPA flights to take off in New Jersey
The New Jersey Institute of Technology will conduct test flights of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) over the Atlantic Ocean Nov. 20-21 from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, N.J. NJIT is conducting RPA flights over the Atlantic Ocean to test the feasibility of safely integrating RPAs into the public airspace, as well as assess […]
Video: NBAA talks RPA
“The FAA is expected to issue its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) [which we name remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)] by the end of 2014. In a standing-room-only session at NBAA2014, a panel discussion covered many questions: Will UAS operators be required to be certificated pilots? Will the UAS itself have to be certificated? Is the U.S. falling behind the international community in its regulation and use of UAS? This video gives a brief overview of the session.”
RPA not UAV in GAN
There isn’t anything unmanned about most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). There is a real, live human being attached (wirelessly) to that airborne craft.
That’s why General Aviation News will from now on refer to them as Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPA). And we’re not the only ones weighing in on this discussion.