The Federal Aviation Administration is energizing its unmanned integration efforts, boosting the office within the agency hierarchy and expanding the organization’s staff…
Dee Ann Divis
New Broad COAs Open For-Government Operations
Recently eased rules will slash flight-related paperwork for the FAA test ranges, enabling new business models, speeding research and giving…
US Weighs UAS-Friendly GPS Backup System
The comment period is about to close on a potential navigation backup system for GPS that could be very useful for unmanned systems.
Mississippi State to Anchor New FAA Center of Excellence for UAS
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday tapped the team led by Mississippi State University to form its new Center of…
FAA, Firms to Study Longer-Distance, Urban Drone Flights
Aviation regulators have launched a “pathfinder” research initiative to determine the rules and standards supporting longer-range commercial drone flights and flights in populated areas.
ICAO Tackles International Standards for Unmanned Aircraft
International aviation officials are not only embracing the promise of unmanned aircraft, they are racing to keep up as the fast-moving industry forces ICAO to adapt.
Venture Capital Pours Into UAS Startups
Despite delays caused by dense regulatory fog, investors are jockeying for position and betting tens of millions of dollars as they wait for the race to commercialize unmanned aircraft to begin.
Drone Mail Delivery to be Tested in Switzerland
The Swiss postal service and a Swiss cargo delivery firm will test using unmanned aircraft for mail and package delivery using the structured drone-based transport system created by California-based Matternet.
FAA Lowers Barriers to Low-Altitude Drone Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration dropped most of the filing requirements for low-altitude unmanned flights, dramatically reducing the per-mission paperwork for commercial drone operators holding special waivers.
Experts: More Rules Will Not Prevent Drone Attacks
Pilots ignorant of flight rules and accidents like the one that left a small drone on the White House lawn…
Amazon Gets Permission to Test Delivery Drones Outdoors
Aviation regulators gave Amazon the go-ahead Mar. 19 to begin testing its delivery drones, a move the agency hinted at in February when it proposed new rules for small, unmanned aircraft.
Agricultural Revolution Redux
Experts predict precision agricultural applications to generate the greatest economic impact of all unmanned applications.
State Lawmakers Face Opposition to Limits on Using UAS
The fight to enable photogrammetry from unmanned aircraft may be shifting to state legislatures now that the Federal Aviation Administration has begun issuing waivers allowing surveying and mapping.
FAA Document Suggests “Sensible” Rules for Commercial Drones
A document posted on a government website, apparently prematurely, suggests a soon-to-be-proposed rule for U.S. drone operators will allow commercial…
FAA Proposes Rule to Allow Commercial Drone Flights
The Federal Aviation Administration released rules to allow drones to operate commercially in the United States, a move that promises to unleash an industry that is not only worth billions but has the ability to impact other economic sectors like agriculture, entertainment and energy in a profound way.
FAA Opens Door to Long-Range Drone Flights, Amazon Prime Air R&D
The Federal Aviation Administration opened an avenue for would-be drone entrepreneurs to offer services that stretch beyond the immediate view of operators and to at least study the sort of autonomous package delivery services envisioned by Amazon Prime Air.
