Click for more.
The FAA said today that it has authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. In a first for U.S. aviation, Zipline International and Wing Aviation can now deliver packages while it’s claimed that their drones safely separated from other air traffic using so called Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.
Previously, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the unmanned aircraft. However, what the FAA claims are new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are making these “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) flights routine. Considerable lobbying pressure no doubt is in play. The FAA budget was threatened by Republicans last year in latest fiscal year fiasco. The current budget expires on 30 September, so fasten your safety belt, this is going to be a stormy flight this fall.
This comes as the FAA works to release the Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which would enable drone operators to expand operations while maintaining the same high level of safety as traditional aviation.
“We are on track to release the NPRM this year, following strong Congressional support in the recent FAA re-authorization,” the FAA said.
OMB on the Current Budget
“The Budget provides $16.5 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This funding would continue the hiring and training surge of air traffic controllers started in 2023 to rebuild the pipeline of new controllers needed to meet projected traffic demands. The Budget increases investment in the facilities and systems that comprise the National Airspace System (NAS)by over $500 million to $3.5 billion, to address maintenance and modernization and to ensure the NAS continues to safely accommodate the growth in traditional commercial aviation traffic alongside new entrants from the commercial space, unmanned aircraft, and advanced air mobility industries.
“The Budget also includes continued investment in FAA’s multiyear effort of reforming aircraft certification, as well as increasing its safety oversight capabilities. The resources provided through the Budget complement the $5 billion already provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 2024 to upgrade the FAA’s air traffic control facilities and to improve the safety, capacity, accessibility, and efficiency of the Nation’s airports.
“The Budget also requests a $3 million increase to bolster aviation consumer protection activities by DOT. This includes hiring eight additional staff, building on an increase of eight staff starting in2023, and information technology system enhancements to reduce the backlog of aviation consumer complaints, expedite rulemaking, and increase outreach and enforcement.
“The FAA’s current authorization—FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-254—expires on September 30, 2023. The FAA’s next authorization will need to: improve safety; enable access to the system by current and emerging users; make long-term investments to improve the safety and efficiency of the NAS, reduce emissions, deliver on climate action, and enhance resiliency; expand consumer protection; and improve the standards of service and access for air travelers and other stakeholders.”
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
FAA Okays Automated Commercial Drone Flights
Click for more.
The FAA said today that it has authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. In a first for U.S. aviation, Zipline International and Wing Aviation can now deliver packages while it’s claimed that their drones safely separated from other air traffic using so called Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology.
Previously, when operating drones, the drone pilot must be able to always see the unmanned aircraft. However, what the FAA claims are new advancements in air traffic technology and procedures are making these “Beyond Visual Line of Sight” (BVLOS) flights routine. Considerable lobbying pressure no doubt is in play. The FAA budget was threatened by Republicans last year in latest fiscal year fiasco. The current budget expires on 30 September, so fasten your safety belt, this is going to be a stormy flight this fall.
This comes as the FAA works to release the Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which would enable drone operators to expand operations while maintaining the same high level of safety as traditional aviation.
“We are on track to release the NPRM this year, following strong Congressional support in the recent FAA re-authorization,” the FAA said.
OMB on the Current Budget
“The Budget provides $16.5 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This funding would continue the hiring and training surge of air traffic controllers started in 2023 to rebuild the pipeline of new controllers needed to meet projected traffic demands. The Budget increases investment in the facilities and systems that comprise the National Airspace System (NAS)by over $500 million to $3.5 billion, to address maintenance and modernization and to ensure the NAS continues to safely accommodate the growth in traditional commercial aviation traffic alongside new entrants from the commercial space, unmanned aircraft, and advanced air mobility industries.
“The Budget also includes continued investment in FAA’s multiyear effort of reforming aircraft certification, as well as increasing its safety oversight capabilities. The resources provided through the Budget complement the $5 billion already provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for 2024 to upgrade the FAA’s air traffic control facilities and to improve the safety, capacity, accessibility, and efficiency of the Nation’s airports.
“The Budget also requests a $3 million increase to bolster aviation consumer protection activities by DOT. This includes hiring eight additional staff, building on an increase of eight staff starting in2023, and information technology system enhancements to reduce the backlog of aviation consumer complaints, expedite rulemaking, and increase outreach and enforcement.
“The FAA’s current authorization—FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-254—expires on September 30, 2023. The FAA’s next authorization will need to: improve safety; enable access to the system by current and emerging users; make long-term investments to improve the safety and efficiency of the NAS, reduce emissions, deliver on climate action, and enhance resiliency; expand consumer protection; and improve the standards of service and access for air travelers and other stakeholders.”
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, publisher (kzhw@aol.com), is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. Zino is at home on test tracks, knows his way around U.S. Congressional hearing rooms, auto company headquarters, plant floors, as well as industry research and development labs where the real mobility work is done. He can quote from court decisions, refer to instrumented road tests, analyze financial results, and profile executive personalities and corporate cultures. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.