This week the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that drone pilots who are unable to comply with the Remote ID Rule broadcast requirement will have until March 16, 2024, to equip their drone appropriately. If a drone pilot fails to comply with this requirement after this extended deadline, the pilot could be subject to fines
Drones
More BVLOS Drone Operations Approved by FAA
Two more companies will conduct drone operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved UPS Flight Forward and uAvionix for this type of operation in national airspace. UPS Flight Forward plans to conduct BVLOS drone operations for small-package delivery using a ground-based surveillance system. UPS Flight Forward will conduct…
FAA and Industry Leaders Discuss Responsible Use of AI and Machine Learning for Drone Technology
At the recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drone Symposium (co-hosted by AUVSI), FAA Deputy Regional Administrator Deb Sanning discussed the impact of autonomy and AI, human/machine integration, and the strategies for gaining public trust in autonomous systems, like drones. Sanning discussed this topic along with Brendan Groves from Skydio; Taylor Lochrane, the Deputy Director for…
FAA UAS Remote ID Rule and the Insurance Industry Data Use Case
As more and more unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drones) hit the skies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the UAS Remote Identification (RID) Rule to increase airspace safety and security. The time has come for the Rule to go into effect. As of September, the FAA’s remote ID requirements take effect. This means that…
Drone Data Marketplace Assists in Assessing Flood Risk and Better Disaster Response
Globhe Drones, based in Sweden, provides a subscription model platform for businesses to access data from about 8,000 drone operators in 134 countries. Globhe’s drone data marketplace gathers aerial imagery and generates digital terrain models to assist in creating flood modeling. Users of the platform can order specific drone data missions from the marketplace almost…
Students Are Buying Drones. Is Your Campus Prepared?
The holiday season is here again, and many university students will return in January sporting a brand-new drone. Drones have come a long way from the unwieldy radio-controlled (RC) copters of the past. Modern drones can operate across several miles with great precision carrying mounted cameras, microphones, and other sensors. However, federal and state regulators…
Chula Vista Policy to Protect Residents from Certain Surveillance Technology
The City Council of Chula Vista, California (in the San Diego metropolitan area), announced a new policy governing how city law enforcement can use technology to protect residents from data collected by surveillance equipment. The policy was developed by a city task force after the police department began using Automated License Plate Readers in 2020…
More Autonomous Big Rigs Needed on the Road: Why Start There?
Many trucks on the freeway already drive themselves -with an operator on board. These trucks operate smoothly and safely with little to no human intervention. Such vehicles are capable of knowing when to make space and move over when another vehicle is trying to merge and slowing down when they see a vehicle pulled over…
Soaring Eagle Technologies Obtains Nationwide BVLOS Drone Waiver from FAA
This week, Soaring Eagle Technologies, a drone data collection company that provides services for critical infrastructure in the U.S., received one of the first beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly unmanned aerial systems (UAS or drones) for commercial inspection missions under operational guidelines as opposed to specific operations in a…
NFL Urges Lawmakers to Address Drone Threats and Nefarious Actors
Cathy Lanier, the Chief Security Officer for the National Football League (NFL), is concerned about unauthorized drones flying above stadiums during games and the potential for accidents or even a mass attack on the crowd below. Last season, the NFL encountered some 1,400 drones over stadiums, even though there were no-fly-zone orders in place.
Pursuant…