Today, November 20, 2020, the FAA published the first batch of proposed airworthiness standards for type certification of six different unmanned aircraft system (UAS) models for public comment. The publication of the proposed airworthiness standards (also known as a “G-1 Issue Paper”) is an essential regulatory step that needs to occur before the FAA can
How is the UAS Industry Experiencing the COVID-19 Crisis?
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September, 2017, it destroyed 90 percent of the cell sites on the island; knocking out most communication with the outside world and significantly hampering relief effort. AT&T responded by deploying its Flying Cell on Wings (COW) – a drone outfitted with LTE radios and antennas to provide temporary
Proposed UAS Remote Identification Rule at White House for Review
White House doors now open to meeting with stakeholders about drone Remote ID
In a much anticipated development, the Department of Transportation has just sent to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) the proposed rulemaking for remote identification (remote ID) of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or so-called “drones”). This is
Canada’s New Drone Regulations Take Effect: How They Compare to the U.S. Regulations
Canada’s drone industry is taking off. Like its neighbor to the south, the commercial remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) industry is growing quickly. In Canada, the industry has doubled in size every two years over the past decade. The economic impact of the expanding commercial drone industry in Canada and the U.S. is expected to
Expanding Operations: U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Regulatory Actions for Expanded Drone Operations and Drone Security
The benefits of commercial drones are substantial. However, current rules limit the commercial marketplace from being able to take advantage of some of drone technology’s most obvious safety and efficiency benefits. To capitalize on the life-saving and economic benefits of drones, companies need to be able to fly in urban and suburban environments, where people
New FAA Exemption Issued to Avitas Systems, a GE venture, Will Help Expand Beyond Visual Line of Sight Drone Operations
The commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) market is taking off in the United States and around the world. Recent innovations have transformed what used to be considered toys into powerful tools that provide substantial safety and efficiency benefits to the commercial industry, governmental institutions, and the public.
However, many of the most promising
No Fly Zone: FCC Proposes $2.8 Million Penalty for Marketing Non-Compliant Drone AV Accessories
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to bring a $2.8 million penalty against HobbyKing for marketing drone-attachable audio/video (AV) transmitters that operate on unauthorized frequencies.
For marketers and retailers of unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) and attachable devices, this penalty signals that the FCC is cracking down on the makers and marketers of noncompliant UAS and
Controversial UAS Remote ID and Tracking ARC Report Published By FAA Yesterday
Last year, for the first time, the FAA broadly authorized commercial drones here in the United States. Since that time, the commercial drone industry has grown to a level few could have imagined only a couple of years ago. Technology has moved quickly forward, and what used to be considered toys are now powerful commercial
New FAA Waiver Issued to CNN Will Help Expand Commercial Drone Operations Over People
Drones are the future of transportation and information technology. Recent innovations have transformed what used to be considered toys into powerful tools that provide substantial safety and efficiency benefits to commercial industry, educational institutions, humanitarian NGOs, and the public. Once properly enabled, the integration of drones into our nation’s National Airspace System will save countless
It’s That Time of Year Again: How Congress’ Proposed FAA Reauthorization Bills Could Impact the Commercial Drone Industry
In the last few weeks, both houses of Congress have released draft FAA Reauthorization bills to continue FAA funding which runs out this fall. While the House bill’s proposal to privatize air traffic control in the United States has garnered the most attention, both the House and Senate bills contain lengthy and significant legislative language