Commercial
As part of a project to improve safety in the energy pipeline industry, researchers have successfully flight-tested a miniature methane gas sensor developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, on a Vertical Take-off and Landing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). The sensor, similar to one developed by JPL
Commercial
After a comprehensive risk analysis, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised the unmanned aircraft (UAS) “blanket” altitude authorization for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet. Previously, the agency had put in place a nationwide Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for such flights up
Commercial
Kongsberg Geospatial, an Ottawa-based developer of real-time, mission critical, geospatial visualization software, and the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service announced today the successful conclusion of field trials of a new software application developed to improve the safety of operating a search-and-rescue drone beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS). The Country of Renfrew
Commercial
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police arrested a Concord man they accused of purposely flying a drone near a CMPD helicopter as it tracked a suspect last week. The helicopter pilot had to “immediately and abruptly” alter the helicopter’s flight path to avoid a midair collision with the drone, police said Friday. The
Commercial
The FAA has released its annual Aerospace Forecast Report Fiscal Years 2016 to 2036 that finds a sustained increase in overall air travel and the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. A key portion of the forecast focuses on projections for the growth in the use of unmanned aircraft, also known
Commercial
Aaruha Technologies, the early-stage technology fund started last year by ex-Infosys CFOs Mohandas Pai and V Balakrishnan, as well as BV Naidu, the chairman of Sagitaur Ventures, officially announced its second investment today. This time, it’s placed its bets on Aarav Unmanned Systems (AUS), a startup that produces unmanned
Regulations
Drone pilots operating near towered and non-towered airports can get help deciphering FAA guidance and learn more about best practices from a new AOPA fact sheet. “We get calls every week from drone pilots who want help unraveling FAA requirements for their operations,” said Rune Duke, AOPA director of airspace
Commercial
Leadership at Aerodrome, a teaching airport and builder of a 50-acre drone airport in Boulder City, Nevada has confirmed that the site is intermittently operational. Construction on the site, a public and commercial airport for drones broke late last year and has made steady progress. It’s hosted both Section
Commercial
The UK government is continuing to push the nation ahead in unmanned air vehicle operations, as it calls for a more realistic approach to the issue of airspace integration. As the UK works towards permitting beyond line of sight UAV operations by 2020, the UAV lead at the Department for
Business
Measure has announced Measure Nationwide, a proprietary franchise system that will be working to convert existing commercial drone operators around the country into Measure franchisees. The commercial drone industry has struggled with the challenge of reaching scale, characterized by hyper-local providers. Measure Nationwide will resolve this challenge of scale by
Commercial
Lloyd’s Register’s first phase of its guidance notes for drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is launched today, giving operators in the energy and marine industries confidence in using UAS for offshore, marine and onshore surveys and in-service inspections. “We are developing these guidance notes to provide a
Business
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and Sharper Shape, an operator of automated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)-based asset inspection, have formed an innovative partnership to demonstrate and develop commercial UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights for electric companies. “The safe use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems can help electric