Regulations
The Verge has partnered with the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College to collect data on every commercial exemption the FAA grants. It's a fascinating snapshot of a fast-growing industry still in its infancy. Follow the link below to their interactive database that
Regulations
At the end of July, the FAA granted its 1,000th exemption. An analysis of the exemptions, as reflected in the chart below, shows that nearly half are for applications involving photography, including videography and film production. The next most frequent industries cited in approved exemption petitions are real estate
Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published updated guidance on model aircraft operations that reflects current law governing hobby or recreational use of unmanned aircraft. Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57A replaces the previous guidance that, as written in 1981, did not reflect the rules Congress wrote into Section 336 of
Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Marke “Hoot” Gibson and Earl Lawrence for two executive-level positions that will guide the agency’s approach to safe, timely and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. airspace. Hoot Gibson will become the Senior Advisor on UAS Integration,
Regulations
The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate in The Netherlands has just release a report of incidents involving remotely piloted, unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned aircraft. In accordance with international agreements, the Netherlands distinguishes two types of use: recreational and professional. The first applies to model aircraft not exceeding 25kg; the
Regulations
On Friday August 28t, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the beta version of a new smartphone application called “B4UFLY” for testing by up to 1,000 unmanned aircraft users. The B4UFLY app, aimed primarily at model aircraft enthusiasts, is designed to give users information about restrictions or requirements in
Regulations
In a possible sign of how seriously FAA is taking unmanned aircraft operations in national airspace — or maybe just a sign of how absurd matters have gotten — the FAA has approved the first ever toy powered paper airplane to fly commercially in U.S. airspace. The applicant granted the so-
Regulations
DOT's Inspector General (IG) plans to begin an audit this month of FAA's current processes for approving civil unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations and overseeing their safe operation, noting "the significant and complex challenges" of safely integrating UAS into the national airspace system. UAS
Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a new list of pilot, air traffic and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft (UAS). The reports cover November 13, 2014 through August 20, 2015. Because pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, the FAA wants to
Commercial
The Yamaha RMAX unmanned helicopter has become the first drone to be certified for flight in New Zealand under Part 102 of the Civil Aviation Rules. Civil Aviation Rule Part 102 came into effect on the 1st August 2015 and establishes a framework for the safe operation of unmanned craft
Regulations
Pilot reports of unmanned aircraft have increased dramatically over the past year, from a total of 238 sightings in all of 2014, to more than 650 by August 9 of this year. The FAA wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous
Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration has given aircraft operating in conjunction with the state's Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site permission to fly at night. "The addition of night flying opens up the opportunities for industry partners to test sensor payloads in all lighting conditions," said