On October 5, 2018, the President signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Act establishes new conditions for recreational use of drones and immediately repeals the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. The agency is evaluating the impacts of this change in the law and how implementation will proceed. The Reauthorization Act cannot be fully implemented immediately, please continue to follow all current policies and guidance with respect to the … Read More
H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 passed by Senate
The act not only provides funding for the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five year but it also brings major changes to the aviation industry as a whole and to the drone industry specifically. With a 93-6 vote, the Senate passed the H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 today. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 repeals Section 336, under which currently all hobbyist drone operators fly. Going … Read More
FAA to Target UAS Violators for Enforcement
The FAA says drone pilots of unmanned aircraft (“drones”) who interfere with fighting wildfires, law enforcement efforts, or other first responders, such as medical flights, now are more likely to face serious civil penalties, even for first-time offenses. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has provided guidance for agency personnel who handle possible drone violations to refer all cases involving interference with first responders to the FAA Chief Counsel’s office for … Read More
Drone Pilots and Hurricane Florence
Drone Users Must Not Interfere with First Responders The FAA warns drone operators that they will be subject to significant fines that may exceed $20,000 and civil penalties if they interfere with emergency response operations. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is not in place. Allow first responders to … Read More
The FAA’s Drone Pilot Program Has Taken Off
The FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program has been busy accelerating drone technology in four states this month. “Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao at the May 9 announcement of the 10 selectees. “We’re working with state, local, and tribal governments and private industry to demonstrate and study … Read More
FAA Establishes Restrictions on Drone Operations over Additional DOD Facilities
At the request of its Federal security partners, the FAA is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations § 99.7 – “Special Security Instructions” – to address concerns about drone operations over national security-sensitive facilities by establishing temporary flight restrictions specific to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). In cooperation with Department of Defense (DOD), the FAA is establishing additional restrictions on drone flights up to 400 … Read More
The FAA Wants You to Remember: Drones and Wildfires Don’t Mix.
With more than 120 wildfires are burning across 1.6 million acres in the United States. Firefighters aren’t just struggling to battle these blazes, they’re also facing the dangers posed by unauthorized drone flights over or near the fires. Firefighters across the nation have repeatedly been forced to cease helicopter and airplane operations because the presence of drones prevented them from flying safely. In these circumstances, the minutes or hours of flight … Read More
100K Remote Pilot Certificates Issued
Soaring high, with no end in sight, as of today, more than 100,000 drone enthusiasts have obtained a Remote Pilot Certificate to fly a drone for commercial and recreational (not qualifying as “model aircraft”) use since the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) small drone rule went into effect on August 29, 2016. Under Part 107, the person actually flying a drone must have a Remote Pilot Certificate or be directly supervised … Read More
FAA Wants You to Avoid Drone Registration Schemes
The FAA today has warned drone owners, especially drone hobbyists to avoid drone registration schemes. There are several websites which do not offer any real product and only offer to “help” register their drones with the FAA. Some of these websites charge a premium fee for helping with the registration process — with reports of up to as much as $150.00. There are other websites which also are using the FAA logo and graphics … Read More
Fun and Safe 4th of July
Keep safety in mind as you celebrate the Independence Day holiday. Know the safety rules while flying your drones and celebrating the 4th of July. Guidelines for people flying drones: Don’t fly your drone in or near fireworks Don’t fly over people Don’t fly near airports Don’t fly near national landmarks Don’t fly near stadiums Don’t fly near event celebrations There are also strict rules prohibiting airline passengers from packing … Read More