Author Archives: Peter van Blyenburgh

European Civil RPAS Operators’ Forum – Brussels December 6-7

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This is an international conference for the RPAS operators community focusing on the implementation of the European RPAS Roadmap, and on issues that are of particular importance to RPAS operators, e.g. national regulatory matters, insurance, privacy & data protection, civil RPAS operational matters, current & future applications [commercial, non-commercial (corporate, governmental non-military)], current bottlenecks, technical and performance requirements, aerial work customer requirements, novel operations, operational experience & lessons learned. Continue reading →

Transport MEPs Back Draft EU Rules on Drones

Plans to update EU civil aviation safety rules to address emerging risks were amended and approved by Transport and Tourism Committee MEPs on Thursday. The updated EU regulation will also introduce the EU-level requirements for drones, to ensure safety and privacy. Continue reading →

EASA Publishes ‘Prototype’ Commission Regulation on UA Operations

At the UAS Stakeholders Meeting that took place at EASA headquarters on 20 June 2016, EASA announced that it would publish “Prototype Rules” for UAS in the very near future. Continue reading →

Bird Control with Robotic Birds at Farnborough

Clear Flight Solutions has passed the validation trials with is 800 gr. Robotic Peregrine Falcon (Robird) – A prerequisite for demonstration flights at Farnborough.

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EASA’s ‘Non Paper’ Roadmap for EU Drone Operations

EASA has just produced a ‘Non Paper’ entitled: Roadmap for Drone Operations in the European Union – The roll-out of the EU operation centric approach. Continue reading →

Japan UAS Industrial Development Association Signs MoU with UVS International at Japan Drone

Japan Drone 2016, the first RPAS conference & exhibition in Japan, took place at the Markuhari Messe in Chiba (Tokyo), Japan on 24-26 March 2016. This event was organized by the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA), Congress Corporation, Japan, and Space Media Japan Co., Ltd.

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Standards for Light RPAS – Who, How, What, When & With What Resources?

On 4 March 2016, a EUROCAE UAS/RPAS Workshop took place at EUROCONTROL headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. The purpose of this workshop, which was attended by 72 persons, was to discuss the future working arrangements and work programme for the development of RPAS standards. Continue reading →

In Memory of Stephen Allan May

It is with deep sorrow that we have learned that Steve May has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 70 on 14 February 2016, while taking his favourite walk on Swami’s Beach in Encinitas, near his home in San Diego, California.

Steve May (LtCol US Army rtd) was the former Manager of International Strategic Development for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), in San Diego, Calif., USA, which he joined in 2001. In this position, he was responsible for promoting opportunities for the company’s full line of unmanned aircraft systems, tactical reconnaissance radars, and sensor systems to customers in Europe. Continue reading →