Aurora Flight Sciences announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Aurora’s newest optionally-piloted aircraft, a UH-1H helicopter. The latest development in the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program, Aurora has added a complete digital flight control system to create the “Autonomy-enabled UH-1,” or AEH-1. Continue reading
Category Archives: Regulatory Matters
President Trump and Secretary Chao Announce Drone Integration Pilot Program
President Donald J. Trump directed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao to launch an initiative to safely test and validate advanced operations for drones in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions. Continue reading
CNN Gets First Part 107 Waiver for Operations Over People
CNN has received a first-of-its-kind Part 107 waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) over people. This approval represents an industry milestone, as this new waiver for the first time will enable real-world UAS operations over people. Continue reading
GA-ASI Deal to Advance RPAS in Korean Civil Airspace
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of the world’s leading universities specializing in science and technology. Continue reading
Swedish Drone Ban Lifted
In the autumn of 2016, the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court ruled that a camera mounted on a drone is considered a CCTV camera for purposes of the Swedish Camera Surveillance Act (2013:460). The judgment meant that using a drone equipped with a camera, where the camera will be directed at a place to which the public has access, requires a license from the County Administrative Board. Continue reading
Silent Falcon Solar UAS Qualified Compliant in Canada
Silent Falcon UAS Technologies solar electric, fixed wing, long endurance, long range Unmanned Aircraft System has been added to Transport Canada’s list of “Compliant Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)”, a distinction allowing Silent Falcon to issue to its Canadian customers seeking to become Compliant UAV Operators in Canada, Statements of Conformity. Continue reading
FAA Bans Drones over Statue of Liberty and Other Landmarks
At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 99.7 – “Special Security Instructions” – to address concerns about unauthorized drone operations over 10 Department of the Interior (DOI) sites, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. Continue reading
50-mile Central New York Drone Air Corridor Launched
Officials last week launched what they touted as the first air corridor in the nation where unmanned aerial vehicles can safely fly beyond line of sight for testing and development. Continue reading