This was the most important sentence of the entire document. “By the same token that identifying the airborne location of an aircraft and collocated pilot with a transponder is not a Fourth Amendment search, the FAA says, using Remote ID to learn the locations of airborne drones and their pilots invades no constitutionally recognized privacy … Read more
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch just published their 2021 accident review for UAS incidents. “Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) occurrences accounted for a quarter of the notifications received by the AAIB in 2021 and the increased levels of reporting from this sector is welcomed. The AAIB has been investigating selected UAS accidents since 2015 and … Read more
I was recently asked about a fixed-wing UAS, the FlightWave Edge 130. In taking a look at the UAS, I noticed the following statement on the FlightWave sight, “The Edge 130 VTOL tricopter is a consumer-priced, military-grade UAS designed for long-range, long-endurance missions.” – Source It was the words Long-Range that caught my eye, given … Read more
The subject of the Pilots Record Database and its applicability for both Part 107 and COA pilots has created a thirst for more clarity. These FAQs below are a combination of information distributed by the FAA, and some are from the info I published here. With the liability and complexity of yet another COA admin … Read more
In April, a Part 107 remote pilot emailed the FAA’s UAS Support Center and provided his account of a recent drone flight. Here’s what it said: “After several scenarios while conducting sUAS flights, helicopters have (literally) suddenly appeared just above the tree canopy. With flying this low, the ability to actually hear them before they … Read more
At first glance, you are not going to believe what I’m about to share with you. But this is all true, so pay close attention. Historically the FAA has maintained a database of commercial pilots that employers had to upload information about. This was typically so that when pilots moved from one carrier to another … Read more
Here is the latest FAA guidance on Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and Collision Avoidance for drone pilots flying under Part 107 or a COA. Let’s not forget the actual limited operating distances that are required. Seeing your drone means a lot more than just seeing a dot in the sky. Pay attention to the … Read more
Here are a number of very interesting studies that I’ve received from others regarding the ability of RPICs or low flying manned aircraft pilots ability to see and avoid a UAS. I also had a firefighting pilot send me an email and wanted me to share this message: “Steve, please understand and share that the … Read more
Last night was the FAA Drone Pro webinar. A lot of good information in these slides. Accidents between UAS and manned aircraft are getting more frequent. In fact, there allegedly was a teenager killed yesterday in the UK after being struck by an unmanned RC aircraft. People flying as hobbyists and not FULLY complying with … Read more
As I have written about previously, there are numerous myths, misinformation, and disconnects when it comes to Part 107, commercial drone operations, and related FAA responses. But the question that begs for an answer is why these disconnects exist. There are several reasons for the disparities. 1) Manned Aircraft Pilots (MAPs) are trained to think … Read more