Regulations

News and Commentary.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s recent comments have reignited hopes for long-awaited regulations enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. During a March 14 visit to Amazon’s Prime Air facility in Seattle, Duffy emphasized the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) intent to propose rules expanding drone use for deliveries and other… Read more: FAA Signals Momentum for BVLOS Rulemaking: What It Means for Commercial Drone Applications

President Donald Trump has nominated Bryan Bedford, the longtime CEO of Republic Airways, to serve as the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). With over three decades of experience in aviation, Bedford’s nomination has been met with widespread support from industry stakeholders Industry Support AUVSI has published a statement in support of the… Read more: Bryan Bedford Nominated as FAA Administrator: Industry Reacts Positively

DRONELIFE is please to publish this op-ed from Tom Walker, CEO of drone services provider DroneUp.  DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts. America’s Airspace Crisis—Why We Need a National Drone Strategy NOW By Tom Walker, founder and CEO of DroneUp The U.S. Is Flying Blind Into the Drone Era Let’s cut to… Read more: America Is Flying Blind: Why We Need a National Drone Strategy Now

At the National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS, a panel of FAA officials provided critical updates on new waivers, regulatory processes, and efforts to improve access to airspace for public safety drone operations. The session, moderated by industry expert Michelle Duquette, a veteran of MITRE Corp’s UAS program, featured insights from Tim Arel,… Read more: FAA Panel at National Public Safety UAS Conference Highlights New Waivers and Process Improvements

Key Developments in Public Safety UAS Integration The National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS at Busch Gardens, Virginia, featured a keynote fireside chat between Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, and Chief (Ret.) Charles Werner, Director of DRONERESPONDERS. The discussion underscored the FAA’s evolving approach to integrating drones… Read more: FAA Chief Operating Officer ATC Highlights Public Safety Drone Advancements at National Public Safety UAS Conference

Pilots Express Concern Over Expanded Use of ADS-B Data The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address growing concerns over the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data. AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance recently sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau, asking the agency… Read more: AOPA Calls on FAA to Address ADS-B Privacy and Enforcement Issues

Whitaker’s resignation leaves the FAA without a confirmed leader as the agency faces ongoing safety and infrastructure issues. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker has announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s inauguration day. Whitaker’s departure leaves the FAA, already grappling with significant challenges, without a confirmed leader at… Read more: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to Step Down

Industry Leaders Call for Timely Action to Unlock Drone Potential: BVLOS Draft Moves from DOT to OMB The drone industry stands on the verge of significant growth, but bureaucratic delays threaten to stall its progress. A draft rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, currently under review by the White House Office of… Read more: FAA’s BVLOS Draft Rule at a Critical Crossroads: Update

Industry Leaders React to New Pilot and Operational Standards as the U.S. Takes a Critical Step Toward Scaling eVTOL and AAM Innovations by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab The Federal Aviation Administration’s recent issuance of the final draft of its Special Federal Aviation Regulation for powered lift aircraft regulations has drawn comment and positive… Read more: FAA Issues Final Rule for Powered-Lift Aircraft: A Major Milestone for eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility

Streamlined Compliance and Enhanced Safety for Drone Operations ANRA Technologies and Hover UAV have announced the launch of SORA-Mate, a new automated tool designed to simplify risk assessments for drone operators. The platform is available in Australia, New Zealand, and across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. A Solution for Expanding Drone Operations Drones have become an… Read more: SORA-Mate: New Automated Risk Assessment Tool Launched for Drone Operators in Australia and New Zealand

FAA Takes Steps to Ensure Drone Operators Follow Airspace Regulations The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 individuals who violated federal drone regulations between October 2022 and June 2024. These penalties are part of the FAA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that drone operators are aware of and adhere to… Read more: FAA Proposes $341,413 in Civil Penalties for Drone Regulation Violations

Commercial Drone Alliance Executive Director and Global UAS Expert to Contribute to Aviation Safety The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has announced that its Executive Director, Lisa Ellman, has been appointed to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg selected Ellman to represent the commercial drone industry for a two-year… Read more: Lisa Ellman Appointed to FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee

Reflections on the FAA Drone & AAM Symposium DRONELIFE is honored to post this Op-Ed by industry thought leader Dawn Zoldi on the conversations and results from the recent FAA Drone and AAM Symposium, sponsored by the FAA and AUVSI.  If you missed attending, read on for an inside view of the key messages delivered… Read more: FAA Drone & AAM Symposium 2024, Key Takeaways and Future Predictions: A DRONELIFE Exclusive from Dawn Zoldi

FAA’s Deputy Administrator Outlines Timeline for BVLOS Rulemaking and Plans for Drone and AAM Integration into National Airspace By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A high-ranking FAA official on Tuesday promised that the agency is on track to meet the scheduled timeline for issuing a final beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rule by January,… Read more: FAA Progress on BVLOS Rules and Advanced Air Mobility Integration

Zipline and Wing Aviation to Pioneer Package Deliveries Using Advanced UTM Technology in Dallas/Fort Worth By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The FAA on Tuesday announced its first-ever approval for beyond visual line of sight drone flights by more than one operator flying in the same airspace. Under the new authorizations Zipline International and Wing… Read more: FAA Grants Historic BVLOS Approval for Multiple Operators in DFW Area

Legislative Changes Reflect Evolving Landscape of Drone Operations In a significant legislative shift, the North Carolina General Assembly has passed House Bill 198, effectively removing the requirement for a state uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) operator knowledge test and permit. This decision follows sustained advocacy by AeroX and its members, who have played a crucial role… Read more: North Carolina Repeals Drone Knowledge Test and Permit Requirement

Letter to Senate Armed Services Committee highlights severe impact on public safety operations In a letter sent to the Senate Armed Services Committee today, the California Fire Chiefs Association, representing over 800 fire agencies in California, along with public safety advocacy groups including the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA), AIrborne Public Safety Association, and others… Read more: First Responders Oppose Inclusion of Countering CCP Drones Act in NDAA

FAA reauthorization paves way for eVTOL flights By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill (The following is the last in a series of articles on how the recent passage of the bill to reauthorize the FAA positively impacts the drone and eVTOL industries.) The U.S. has taken a giant step closer toward a future in which… Read more: FAA Reauthorization Bill Paves the Way for eVTOL Flight Integration and Advanced Air Mobility

Bill paves the way for integrating UAS into U.S. airspace system By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill (The following is the third in a series of articles on how the recent passage of the bill to reauthorize the FAA positively impacts the drone and eVTOL industries.) The bill to reauthorize the FAA, which President Biden… Read more: How the New FAA Reauthorization Bill Facilitates UAS Integration into U.S. Airspace

FAA Reauthorization Bill Mandates Final Rule for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Drone Flights to Boost Industry Growth By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill (The following is the second in a series of articles on how the recent passage of the bill to reauthorize the FAA positively impacts the drone and eVTOL industries.) While… Read more: FAA Directed to Devise Final Rule for BVLOS Flights Within 20 Months