Federal Aviation Administration

DJI seeking partners for UAS Integration Pilot Program

DJI is looking to partner with state, local and tribal governments that are applying to take part in the FAA’s recently launched UAS Integration Pilot Program, which will provide opportunities for government and industry to experiment with advanced UAS operations and test new forms of airspace management. Governments that are interested in participating in the UAS Integration Pilot Program have been asked by the FAA to work with UAS operators and manufacturers in their applications to be part of the pilot program. With this in mind, DJI is inviting those governments to consider partnering with DJI, so that the “expertise and collaborative vitality” of their programs can be enhanced.

CTIA says that commercial wireless networks offer best platform to support UAS industry

CTIA, which is a wireless association that represents the wireless communications industry in the United States, has called on the FAA to recognize that commercial wireless networks offer the best communications platform to support America's UAS market that continues to grow and evolve at a rapid pace. The call from CTIA comes as the FAA looks to establish the first federal rules governing how UAS should communicate with each other and the surrounding environment.

Aurora's Optionally-Piloted UH-1H receives Special Airworthiness Certificate from FAA

The FAA has granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Aurora Flight Sciences’ UH-1H helicopter, which is the company’s newest optionally-piloted aircraft, and the third manned aircraft overall that Aurora has converted to robotic-controlled or OPA operation. As the latest development in the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program, Aurora has created the “Autonomy-enabled UH-1,” also known as AEH-1, by adding a complete digital flight control system. “The Special Airworthiness Certificate is a significant validation of the program’s capabilities by the FAA,” says John Langford, Aurora Chairman and CEO.

Aurora’s UH-1H receives FAA Special Airworthiness Certification. Photo courtesy of Aurora Flight Sciences.

SunPower becomes first company to receive LAANC authorization through Skyward

Solar energy company SunPower Corp. has become the first company to receive approval from the FAA for “automatic access to operate a drone in regulated airspace over controlled airports.” The new access category is called Low Altitude Authorization Capability (LAANC), and it was released a few weeks ago in a beta test at four airports, including San Jose (SJC), Cincinnati International Airport (CVG), Reno (RNO), and Lincoln (LNK). SunPower received LAANC authorization through FAA-approved vendor Skyward. “Digital, automated, free access to controlled airspace, in the form of LAANC, is one of the greatest moment(s) we've experienced in the U.S. commercial drone industry so far,” says Skyward Co-President Jonathan Evans.

Northern Maine Community College incorporating UAS into curriculum

Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) Wind Power Technology Instructor Wayne Kilcollins, who recently became certified to fly UAS for business and work, will begin teaching Wind Power Technology students at the college about UAS. Kilcollins will use his knowledge to teach students about the technology, and demonstrate how to use UAS to inspect wind turbine blades and nacelles. Kilcollins will do this, in part, using a UAS that NMCC purchased. “We always aim to provide our students with the latest industry practices to keep them highly competitive in the workforce,” Kilcollins says.

Marke F. 'Hoot' Gibson named new CEO of NUAIR Alliance

Major General Marke F. “Hoot” Gibson (ret), who most recently served as Senior Advisor on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration to the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been named the new CEO of the NUAIR Alliance. As CEO, Gibson, who will begin working in his new role on Nov. 13, will lead NUAIR’s oversight of UAS testing being conducted in New York, Massachusetts and Michigan, as well as a $30 million investment by New York State to build a 50-mile UTM Corridor. “My vision is to create an unsurpassed ‘innovation friendly’ environment for UAS research, testing and operation,” Gibson says.

CNN granted Part 107 waiver to fly small UAS over people

The FAA has granted CNN a “first-of-its-kind Part 107 waiver” that allows the media organization to fly a small UAS over people. Considered an industry milestone, this waiver, for the first time, permits real-world UAS operations over people, giving CNN the ability to fly its 1.37-pound Snap UAS in a variety of environments, up to an altitude of 150 feet above ground level (AGL). “We are delighted that the FAA has granted CNN a waiver that has a meaningful and practical application to our newsgathering operations,” says Greg Agvent, Senior Director of National Newsgathering Technology and CNN AIR.

Federal Aviation Administration