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 […]
UAS
Texas A&M conducts drone research
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Just weeks after its designation as one of six federally-approved test sites for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will conduct several test flights over South Texas ranchland to continue research and training on the RS-16 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The recent FAA test site designation, announced Dec. 30, […]
FAA names six sites for UAS research
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has selected the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. The sites will conduct tests and research into operational requirements for integrating UAS, more commonly called drones, into the national airspace. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the first site is […]
Ohio conducts UAS study
A study set to be completed early next year in Ohio will serve as a national model for integrating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the national airspace. The Ohio Airspace Strategic Integration Study (OASIS), which kicked off in February 2012, is intended to serve as a national model for the Air Force that coordinates federal, […]
Texas A&M Regents approve UAS Center
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas A&M System Board of Regents has approved the establishment of the Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence and Innovation (LSUASC). The center will function in the areas of research, development, testing and training to support integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace. “This approval by the Board of […]
FAA selects K-State Salina to test UAS certification standards
SALINA — The FAA is turning to Kansas State University Salina to test certification standards for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Under a memorandum of agreement, K-State Salina will validate industry standards for small unmanned aircraft systems — systems typically weighing 55 pounds or less — set by the F38 technical committee of ASTM International. […]
UAV eyes in the Open Sky
By DAVE HOOK. Do you like taking photos from your airplane? Most flyers do, even if it’s only every once in a while. You should be aware of a legislative slippery slope that’s developing. Unmanned aircraft are currently in the crosshairs of legislators at varying levels of government. At issue is the ability of UAVs to […]
Texas A&M unveils new UAV Command Center
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi unveiled its new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command and control center Oct. 1 at the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center. “We are in ‘phase one’ of the development of the command and control center,” said Dr. Luis Cifuentes, Vice President of Research, Commercialization and Outreach. “Eventually, it […]
FAA cuts red tape to let UAS work Yosemite wildfire
You’re a fire boss trying to contain an out-of-control wildfire in mountainous terrain, and you literally can’t see the forest for the burning trees. Dense smoke chokes the air, making it nearly impossible to have a good sense of where and how quickly a fire is moving. Such was the case for firefighters battling this […]