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
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