Posts

News and Updates – FAA Statement: Safety is the top priority for the FAA

/0 Comments/in /by

Safety is the top priority for the FAA. Air traffic controllers and the technicians who maintain the nations airspace system continue to serve their critical mission to ensure the publics safety.We are allocating resources based on risk assessment to meet all safety critical functions. If we identify an issue, we recall inspectors and engineers to address it. We sincerely thank FAA employees who are working to keep the traveling public and our skies safe.

News and Updates – FAA Operations Update

/0 Comments/in /by

Due to a lapse in funding, the FAA will only conduct exempt activities. Air traffic control is fully operational and there is no impact to safety or FAA oversight for travelers.

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and Drone Zone are operational.

Posts to this website and social media accounts will be limited.

News and Updates – FAA Seeks New Drone Advisory Group Members

/0 Comments/in /by

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has posted a notice in the Federal Register soliciting qualified candidates to serve on the Drone Advisory Committee(DAC). The committee provides an open venue for the FAA and stakeholders to identify and recommend consensus-based resolutions for issues related to integration of unmanned aircraft (UAS) into the National Airspace System.

The notice explains the responsibilities associated with DAC membership and the desired qualifications for participants. It also details the materials candidates must submit, noting that failure to supply the required information may disqualify an otherwise excellent candidate from the review process. Selected members will serve for at least two years. The FAA must receive nomination packages no later than 6:00 a.m. EST on January 9, 2019.

Typically, DAC members are at the level of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or other high-ranking positions. Members come from a cross-section of stakeholders representing UAS interests, including industry, research and academia, retail, and technology. The FAA maintains a roster of the current DAC membership. The DAC is limited to a maximum of 35 individuals.

The DAC, established as a Federal Advisory Committee, advises the FAA on the needs of new and expanding users of the National Airspace System, while identifying the strategic regulatory priorities and structure that simultaneously promote innovation, safety, efficiency and rapid UAS integration.

News and Updates – FAA: Make Sure Laser-Light Displays Aren't Aimed at the Sky

/0 Comments/in /by

With the holiday season upon us, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)wants to make sure your laser-light displays are aimed at your house and not into the sky.

Each year we receive reports from pilots who are distracted or temporarily blinded by residential laser-light displays. You might not realize this, but a well-meaning attempt to spread holiday cheer has the potential to create a serious safety risk to pilots and their passengers flying overhead.

So please make sure all laser lights are directed at your house and not into the sky. The extremely concentrated beams of laser lights reach much farther than you might realize.

If we become aware that your laser-light display affects pilots, well ask you to adjust them or turn them off. If your laser-light display continues to affect pilots, despite our warnings, you could face a civil penalty.

Laser strikes against aircraft continue to increase each year. Last year we received 6,754 reports of laser strikes against aircraft, a 250 percent increase since we started tracking laser strikes in 2010.

Intentionally aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety risk and violates federal law. Many high-powered lasers can completely incapacitate pilots who are trying to fly safely to their destinations and may be carrying hundreds of passengers.

We work with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to pursue civil and criminal penalties against individuals who purposely aim a laser at an aircraft. We may impose civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation. Civil penalties of up to $30,800 have been imposed by the FAA against individuals for multiple laser incidents.

News and Updates – Save the Date-The UAS Symposium is Coming!

/0 Comments/in /by

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) will co-host the 4th Annual FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Symposium on February 12-14, 2019 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD.

This years Symposium is all about getting down to business. Come learn how the FAA is partnering with industry stakeholders to find the balance between safety and innovation in order to advance UAS integration. Attendees will hear directly from senior FAA officials, government agencies, industry and academia on how UAS challenges are being tackled today and what to expect in the future.

Back by popular demand, the FAA will provide an on-site resource center to answer your questions, including inquiries about airspace authorizations, waivers, the small UAS rule, and other policies and regulations.

Advanced UAS operations, including beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS), package delivery, and urban air mobility are the future. Dont miss the opportunity to learn about the latest developments that will help you take full advantage of the almost limitless opportunities the UAS world offers. Interest in the Symposium will be greater than ever, so register now!