Leveraging Knowledge to Manage Your Data Risks
State and local agencies’ use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS, or drones) has exploded in recent years. In Alaska, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (Department) has started using drones for critical infrastructure inspection and avalanche monitoring and mitigation.
With Alaska’s freezing temperatures and expansive geography, drones offer the Department a chance to get…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working toward one goal when it comes to drones: get more of them safely in the air. However, right now, the FAA is without a permanent leader or a stable funding package. The Senate Commerce Committee recently held a hearing to consider a nomination for FAA Administrator; hopefully…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
This week, North Carolina announced that it will begin long-range health care deliveries by drone in an effort to expand on-demand health care and improve the patient experience in the state. A distribution center will be set up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where Novant Health, Magellan Rx Management, and Cardinal Health will work collaboratively with…
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its millionth airspace authorization for drone pilots under its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) program. In order to operate in controlled airspace, drone operators must obtain approval from the FAA under Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Prior to the introduction of LAANC, these…
