President Trump signed a directive today to launch the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) says in a statement that the program will "safely test and validate advanced operations for drones in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions." The details of the program have not yet been … [Read more...] about Trump’s New Drone Integration Pilot Program: What It Is – and Is Not
Department of Transportation
The DOT’s Damning Investigation on FAA Oversight of Commercial Drones
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General has issued a damning report on the FAA's oversight of commercial drones, saying that the agency has "limited knowledge of where UAS actually operate and limited means to oversee [commercial] operators." The Inspector General's Audit Report, reposted here by Insurance Journal, concludes that the FAA is … [Read more...] about The DOT’s Damning Investigation on FAA Oversight of Commercial Drones
State Transportation Departments Turning to Drones to Cut Costs, Improve Safety
As the FAA continues its never-ending struggle to publish a final rule for regulating drone flights in the U.S., states' Departments of Transportation are finding value in drones at every turn. An American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) study published last month found that 17 state Departments of Transportation had either used or tested … [Read more...] about State Transportation Departments Turning to Drones to Cut Costs, Improve Safety
FAA Reauthorization: Should the FAA Be Privatized?
As time runs out on the current FAA authorization - set to expire March 31 - Congress debates the contents of the next FAA Reauthorization bill, and the FAA is under fire. A recent spate of criticism has prompted lawmakers across the board to demand major reform in the agency. Democrats call some FAA rules "archaic;" Republicans want privatization of the agency; and lobbyists … [Read more...] about FAA Reauthorization: Should the FAA Be Privatized?
DOT Makes Official Statement on Drone Registration
The US Department of Transportation released their official statement today about a drone registration system. Citing recent reports of drones creating safety hazards as their reason for the move, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced that they are convening a task force to make recommendations for a drone registration … [Read more...] about DOT Makes Official Statement on Drone Registration
