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.
FAA
Power Player: Jim Williams
As manager of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office, Williams leads the agency’s efforts to integrate UAS into the national airspace system (NAS).
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.
Topcon Positioning Systems Receives Exemption from FAA
Topcon Positioning Systems recently received an FAA exemption to fly its Sirius Basic and Sirius Pro UASs for aerial data…
Kansas Universities Partner to Learn More About Environmental Effects on UAS Operations
Two Kansas universities and the FAA are working together to make it safer to operate unmanned aerial systems by testing…
Bechtel Receives FAA Exemption to Operate UAVs to Enhance Construction Processes
Bechtel was recently awarded a Section 333 exemption from the FAA, allowing the company to operate UAVs to “enhance construction…
Solusia Air Receives FAA Exemption
Solusia Air recently received an exemption from the FAA to use unmanned aircraft systems to perform asset audits and safety…
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.
FAA Awards Sky-Futures USA an Exemption to Use Drones for Oil and Gas Inspections
Sky-Futures USA was recently awarded a Section 333 Exemption from the FAA, allowing them to use drones for oil and…
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.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M AgriLife Research to Begin Testing Drones for Use in Precision Ag
The researchers received a Certificate of Authorization from the FAA in January, and will use the eBee from senseFly to test a variety of applications.
3D Robotics Secures $50 Million in Venture Financing
3D Robotics, the largest personal drone manufacturer in North America, raised $50 million in its third round of venture financing….
Lone Star UAS Center Tests Ground-Based Sense-and-Avoid Radar System
Sense-and-avoid technology is critical to safely and successfully integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the U.S. airspace, which is why testing…
FAA Grants Kansas State University Salina Statewide Access to Fly Small UASs
Thanks to permission granted from the FAA, Kansas State University Salina has become the first entity in the U.S….
Five Good Questions: Michael Drobac
Michael Drobac is the executive director of the Small UAV Coalition. Launched in October, the group advocates for the commercial…
Total Safety Receives Exemption from FAA, Allowing the Company to Use Small UASs for Flare Inspections
Total Safety U.S. Inc. recently announced that the FAA granted the company a regulatory exemption for the commercial use of…
Agricultural Revolution Redux
Experts predict precision agricultural applications to generate the greatest economic impact of all unmanned applications.
