News and Updates – FAA Reauthorization Bill Establishes New Conditions for Recreational Use of Drones

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On October 5, 2018, the President signed theFAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Act establishes new conditions for recreational use of drones and immediately repeals the Special Rule for Model Aircraft.

  • Fly for hobby or recreation only
  • Register your model aircraft
  • Fly within visual line-of-sight
  • Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
  • Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
  • Never fly near other aircraft
  • Never fly near emergency response efforts

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 recreational use of drones:

Updated direction and guidance will be provided as the FAA implements this new legislation.

News and Updates – FAA Approves Nine New LAANC Service Providers

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced nine new partners to its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) initiative, an innovative collaboration between the FAA and the drone industry that provides near real-time processing of airspace authorizations for Part 107 drone operators nationwide who fly in controlled airspace.

Following the FAAs successful prototype, the initiative was simultaneously opened to additional air traffic control facilities and to new industry partners. The five-month onboarding process that began in April resulted in nine new LAANC partners Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, DJI, KittyHawk, UASidekick and Unifly. The nine join five companies AirMap, Harris Corp., Project Wing, Skyward and Thales Group that have already met the technical and legal requirements to provide LAANC Services.

LAANC uses airspace data, includingUAS facility maps, which shows the maximum altitude around airports where the FAA may authorize operations under Part 107 in controlled airspace. The program gives drone operators the ability to interact with industry developed applications and obtain near real-time authorization from the FAA. LAANC, a foundation for developing theUnmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management System (UTM),is now available at nearly 300 FAA air traffic facilities across the country, covering approximately 500 airports.

The FAA next year will accept applications from parties interested in becoming LAANC service providers from January 7 to February 8 and from July 8 to August 9. This is not a standard government acquisition; there is no Screening Information Request (SIR) or Request for Proposal (RFP) related to this effort. Interested parties can find information on the application process here.

News and Updates – Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Planned for Oct. 3

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WASHINGTON FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts(WEA) on Wednesday, October3, 2018. The WEA portion of the test, which will be sent to consumer cell phones, will begin at 2:18 p.m. EDT.

The test message will appear on consumers phones and read, THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed. Phones will display this national test using the header Presidential Alert. These nationwide alerts, established pursuant to the WARN Act of 2006, are meant for use in a national emergency and are the only type of alert that can be sent simultaneously nationwide by FEMA.

Further details of the event can be found at FEMAs website.

News and Updates – FAA Executive Inducted to Hall of Fame

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On Friday, Sept. 28, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Assistant Administrator for Human Resource Management Annie B. Andrews was inducted into the 2018 National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in the Government and Law category.

In accepting the award, Andrews credited the influence of her family on her character, in particular her mother Capt. Electa Andrews, a retired law enforcement officer. Andrews said, “I am humbled to receive this honor because the Hall of Fame isnt about the inductee. It is really to honor those people who have paved the path to our success.”

Andrews is a graduate of Savannah State University in Georgia with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. She also holds various advanced degrees from other institutions. Prior to coming to the FAA in 2015, Andrews served in the US Navy for 32 years. During her distinguished career, she received numerous decorations and awards, retiring at the rank of rear admiral. She holds the distinction of being the third African-American female to achieve that rank in the 243-year history of the US Navy.

According to the National Black College Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. website, The Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and growing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through alumni recognition, scholarships, training and technical assistance and programs to promote humanitarian involvement.

The hall of fame began in 1986. Other inductees to the hall of fame in the Government and Law Category included some of the nations top legal, political and public-service figures.

Under Andrews leadership, the FAA Office Human Resource Management supports a dynamic, world-class organization committed to providing the worlds safest and most efficient aerospace system.

News and Updates – FAA Targets UAS Violators for Enforcement

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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 Counsels office for possible enforcement action.

In July 2016, Congress authorized the FAA to impose a civil penalty of not more than $20,000 for anyone who operates a drone and deliberately or recklessly interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement, or emergency response efforts.

Under FAA guidance, inspectors generally use non-enforcement methods, including education, for correcting unintentional violations that arise from factors such as flawed systems, simple mistakes, or lack of understanding. However, given the potential for direct and immediate interference with potentially life-saving operations where minutes matter, offenders will immediately be considered for enforcement actions. Enforcement actions can include revocation or suspension of a pilot certificate, and up to a $20,000 civil penalty per violation.

Deterring interference with first responders is critical, particularly as drone use expands exponentially. Firefighting aircraft trying to contain a wildfire have to suspend flights when a drone enters the area to avoid a possible mid-air collision. A drone flying over a crime scene or accident site can hamper police or medical aircraft operations. Ultimately, interference by a drone can cost lives.

The FAAs rules for flying unmanned aircraft are clear. Pilots can save themselves and others serious problems by following them to the letter. Dont let your decision to fly cause someone else to die.