In light of the rise in use of drones in the national airspace, there has been some confusion regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority over navigable airspace and federal preemption for state and local drone laws. In response, the FAA released a statement regarding federal versus local drone rulemaking authority. In that statement, the
Airspace
Massive Adoption of Drones; Safety Still Top Concern for Officials
By Kathryn Rattigan on
Posted in Drones
At the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) co-hosted Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS or drones) Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland last week, all speakers agreed on one thing: safety is the primary concern. Michael Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the president and Deputy U.S. Technology Officer, said that while “we’ve never…
FAA Plans to Bring LAANC to 500 More Airports by Next Month
By Kathryn Rattigan on
Posted in Drones
On March 6, 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the nationwide expansion of its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) to 500 more airports, and include 300 air traffic control facilities as well as open up 78,000 miles of previously restricted airspace to commercial drone flights. Under FAA Part 107 drone regulations, operators…
Validity of Ball State University Drone Policy Questioned
By Kathryn Rattigan on
Posted in Drones
Public Relations and Government Affairs Director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Chad Budreau, says that Ball State University’s (Ball State) “Policy for the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones)” violates the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) small unmanned aircraft systems rule (Part 107). The Ball State policy, issued back in November 2017, states that…
North Carolina Seeks to Deliver Emergency Supplies via Drone
By Kathryn Rattigan on
Posted in Drones
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) and state officials are currently building plans to use drones to deliver emergency supplies across the state; however, several hurdles need to be overcome first. Basil Yap, program manager of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems of the North Carolina Division of Aviation, says, “How do drones safely fly beyond…
FAA Seeking to Quicken UAS Airspace Authorization Process
By Linn Foster Freedman & Guest Contributor on
Posted in Drones
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently published notice in the Federal Register seeking permission to quicken authorizations for Part 107 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations in restricted areas. The FAA wishes to use the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system for authorizations which would give the FAA the ability “to grant near-real time authorizations for the vast majority of operations” which includes “Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace designated for an airport unless that person has prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC).”
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