In response to concerns about "malicious drone activity" the FAA has announced new airspace restrictions over 60 facilities - most of them federal prisons. Reports of attempts to make deliveries to prisoners or otherwise interfere with federal prison operation with drones have increased: earlier this year, a British man was sentenced to 5 years in prison for attempting to … [Read more...] about The FAA Restricts Flight Over 60 New Sites: “National Security Sensitive Locations”
federal drone regulations
The FAA Stance on State Drone Regulation: Preemption is Still Preemption, But There’s a Loophole
News and Commentary. In a new press release, the FAA has clarified the role of federal and state governments in drone regulation. The FAA has tried many times to emphasize the agency's authority over the airspace, in a continual - and somewhat unsuccessful - attempt to curb the proliferation of state and local drone laws. In a 2015 Fact Sheet, the FAA explained their … [Read more...] about The FAA Stance on State Drone Regulation: Preemption is Still Preemption, But There’s a Loophole
U.S. Sec. Transportation Elaine Chao on “Transformative Technology” and Government’s Role
In a conversation with Fortune's Alan Murray at Fortune's Brainstorm Tech Conference, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao says that drone integration is a top priority for the department. Chao emphasized, however, the "proper role of government," which she says is to be a regulator, but not to attempt to control the development of the technology. "We want to be … [Read more...] about U.S. Sec. Transportation Elaine Chao on “Transformative Technology” and Government’s Role
Rogue Drones: What Does the FAA Do to Enforce Drone Laws? New Report from GAO Offers Insight
News and Commentary. Recent publicity over drone "incidents" - and the related threats of more regulations - have led some commercial operators to call for better enforcement of existing rules. A recently published Government Accountability Office (GAO) report offers some insight into how the FAA enforces drone laws. Compliance Actions The FAA has some options - and some … [Read more...] about Rogue Drones: What Does the FAA Do to Enforce Drone Laws? New Report from GAO Offers Insight
Here We Are Again: Congress Pushes Off FAA Reauthorization Until September
News and Commentary. At this point, it's hardly a surprise. The FAA's extension of an extension of an extension has once again been... extended. The current extension was set to run out at the end of this month, but the spending bill before the President includes a small addition extending it again until the end of September. If you want the exact count of extensions, … [Read more...] about Here We Are Again: Congress Pushes Off FAA Reauthorization Until September