Andy Warren’s Post

The biggest challenge facing the coming drone or UAS revolution will be the legislation involved. The technological hurdles can all be overcome and many of the mechanisms and systems are already established and proven. It's the rules and regulations around airspace that will determine how fast the industry develops and grows. This latest announcement is a major step forward in that process https://lnkd.in/ezDrMCTF. Currently, drones in many countries are restricted to Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) flights, meaning that the pilot (or operator) has to be able to clearly see the drone at all times. This is a key requirement within both the FAA and CAA regulations at the moment. The main reason for this is to avoid the fundamental risk of collision with other aircraft, so it's really about monitoring the drone's flight path and being able to manoeurve it clear of anything it might collide with. The aviation authorities are fully aware that their legislation needs to allow the scaling of the UAS industry while maintaining the essential element of safety https://lnkd.in/eDj7G-eB. This approach has led to the Extended VLOS (EVLOS) concept with trained observers beyond the operator's line of sight and the FAA have granted some BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waivers in restricted airspace. And this latest grant is for the largest UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) so far. There's still a way to go before we'll see really large Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) flying over long distances but we're certainly heading in the right direction. #drone #UAS #UAV #BVLOS #EVLOS #VLOS #Droneliner #UmannedAerialVehicle #UnmannedAerialSystem #FAA #CAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made a significant advancement in U.S. aviation by authorizing commercial drone flights without visual observers in the Dallas area. This groundbreaking development permits Zipline International and Wing Aviation to deliver packages within the same airspace using Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology. Typically, drone operations require pilots to maintain visual contact with their aircraft. However, this new authorization marks a pivotal step towards routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights. UTM technology allows for the safe separation of drones in shared airspace by enabling data sharing and coordinated flight routes among operators, all under rigorous FAA safety oversight. Flights will occur below 400 feet and will be carefully managed to avoid interference with crewed aircraft. The FAA anticipates that initial operations with UTM services will commence in August, with plans to expand authorizations in the Dallas area soon. This development is a precursor to the FAA's forthcoming Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which aims to further enable drone operations while maintaining high safety standards. The NPRM reflects a collaborative approach between the FAA and the industry, driven by strong Congressional support. As the FAA prepares to release the NPRM, this milestone underscores the evolving regulatory landscape for drones, highlighting a progressive step towards integrating advanced air traffic management technologies in commercial operations. Read the article on our blog. #AvfoilNews #FAA #DroneTechnology #UTM #ZiplineInternational #WingAviation #BVLOS #AviationInnovation #CommercialDrones #UnmannedAircraft #AviationRegulations

For the first time in U.S. aviation history, the FAA has granted authorization to multiple operators for the commercial use of drones without visual observers in shared #airspace. #Zipline International and #Wing Aviation have received permissions that enable them to deliver packages while maintaining safe distances between their drones using #UAS traffic management (#UTM) technology. This system allows the industry to control the airspace under strict FAA safety supervision."This marks the first occasion the FAA has allowed a third-party to manage drone interactions securely," said a spokesperson. It's a pivotal moment for the entire aviation sector as we move towards a future with increased flights and a heightened need for coordination. #uavdronetechnolog #drones #UAVs #aviation #technology #drones #eVTOLs #pilot #smartcities #Dronesforgood #AUVSI #DroneX #AAMExpo #helitech #Innovation #Aerospace #Technology https://lnkd.in/dn87S8uk

In a groundbreaking development for U.S. aviation, the Federal Aviation Administration has authorized Zipline and Wing to operate commercial drone flights without visual observers in the Dallas-area airspace. This marks a significant milestone, allowing the companies to deliver packages while keeping their drones separated using unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) technology, under FAA safety oversight. Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline, emphasized the broader industry impact: "This approval of Zipline’s UTM system lifts up the entire industry. We’ve been able to leverage our expertise and learnings from flying 80 million commercial autonomous miles to make the entire industry safer, scalable, and more efficient. Millions of Americans will soon be able to safely get fast, convenient, instant delivery of the products they need when they need them 10 times as fast, for half the cost, and with zero emissions." The UTM technology allows operators to share data and planned flight routes with other authorized airspace users, ensuring safe organization and management of drone flights in shared airspace, all below 400 feet and away from crewed aircraft. Initial flights using UTM services are expected to begin in August, with more authorizations anticipated in the Dallas area soon. This advancement coincides with the FAA's efforts to release the Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), aimed at expanding drone operations while maintaining traditional aviation safety standards. The NPRM is set to be released this year, backed by recent Congressional support in the FAA reauthorization. Rinaudo Cliffton added, "This year, 5 billion instant deliveries will be made via on-demand apps in the U.S. alone, not including the billions of packages that FedEx, UPS, and Amazon will also deliver. We at Zipline believe there’s global demand for tens of billions of instant deliveries per year, but there hasn’t been a system in place to do that — until now." For more details on this transformative development, visit our blog. #AvfoilNews #Zipline #Wing #FAA #DroneDelivery #UTM #AviationInnovation #DallasAirspace #InstantDelivery #ZeroEmissions #TechAdvancements #BVLOS #DroneTechnology #FAAApproval #AviationSafety #ZiplineDelivery #WingDelivery #UnmannedAircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration has authorised Zipline and Wing to operate commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace, in a first for US aviation. The authorisations allow the companies to deliver packages while keeping their drones separated using unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) technology. In this system, the operators manage the airspace with FAA safety oversight. Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, CEO and co-founder of Zipline said: “This approval of Zipline’s UTM system lifts up the entire industry. We’ve been able to leverage our expertise and learnings from flying 80m commercial autonomous miles, to make the entire industry safer, scalable and more efficient. Millions of Americans will soon be able to safely get fast, convenient, instant delivery of the products they need when they need them 10x as fast, for half the cost, and with zero emissions.” Read full: https://lnkd.in/eSdtaDFs

#NYPD #Drone Program Lacks Transparency, Oversight Multiple NYPD units have been operating their own drone programs outside the Technical Assistance Response Unit's supervision. The command structure differs from official policy, with the Drone Team reporting to Deputy Commissioner Daughtry instead of Chief of Department Maddrey as outlined in department guidelines. The NYPD currently maintains a fleet of 100 drones operated by over 110 Federal Aviation Administration-qualified pilots. In 2024, the department conducted approximately 4,000 drone missions. https://lnkd.in/egxExQFe ⬇️ Our insights in the comments below ⬇️ #innovation #technology #UAS #UAV #unmanned #uncrewed #DFR #RunningWithScissors

The bill to reauthorize the FAA, which President Biden signed into law on May 16, marks a big step toward promoting the growth of the drone ecosystem, by streamlining regulations, enhancing drone technological advancement and pilot training, and implementing measures to fully integrate drones into the U.S. airspace system. In crafting the massive, 854-page bill congressional leaders listened to the input of representatives of all facets of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) world, as to what improvements they sought to existing FAA rules and regulations that would encourage the increased use of drones for commercial and recreational purposes. https://lnkd.in/gkHbnu78

Historic Military Aircraft Conversions Reveal Early Roots of Modern Drone Technology A fascinating new book uncovers how the U.S. military's decades-long practice of converting manned aircraft into remotely piloted vehicles laid the groundwork for today's drone technology. Author Frederick A. Johnsen details this largely overlooked aspect of aviation history in "Q-Birds: American Manned Aircraft as Drones." The military's drone conversion programs, which began in the 1920s, transformed iconic aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress and F-16 Fighting Falcon into unmanned testbeds and targets. These early experiments with remote piloting technology helped pioneer capabilities that would later become essential to modern drone systems. Perhaps most intriguing was Project Banshee, a classified Cold War initiative that aimed to convert B-29 Superfortresses into remotely controlled nuclear delivery platforms. This ambitious project highlighted both the military's forward-thinking approach to unmanned systems and the technical challenges of the era. The breadth of aircraft converted to drone configurations is remarkable, spanning nearly every major military aircraft type from World War II through the Cold War. Fighter aircraft like the F-86 Sabre and F-4 Phantom II found new life as autonomous test platforms, while bombers such as the B-47 Stratojet were repurposed for various unmanned missions. Johnsen's firsthand research at drone conversion facilities since the 1970s provides unprecedented insight into these programs. His documentation includes the fate of the last Boeing B-17G manufactured in Seattle, which ended its service life as a QB-17 drone target. The book's extensive photographic collection, featuring 225 images and technical drawings, reveals how military engineers adapted conventional aircraft for remote operation decades before modern drone technology emerged. These early conversion programs helped develop control systems and operational procedures that would influence future unmanned aircraft designs. While today's military drones are purpose-built for autonomous operation, these converted aircraft served as crucial stepping stones in the evolution of unmanned flight. Their operational use helped establish fundamental concepts still relevant to modern Department of Defense drone programs. The historical significance of these aircraft conversions extends beyond their immediate military applications. The technical challenges overcome in adapting manned aircraft for remote operation helped advance flight control systems, data links, and autonomous navigation technologies that now form the backbone of both military and civilian drone operations. by Haye Kesteloo #Department of Defense #Drone Technology #Drones #drone #drones #uas #uav

The FAA has approved commercial drone flights without visual observers, allowing companies like Zipline and Wing Aviation to conduct last-mile package deliveries using advanced Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology. The FAA previously gave Amazon permission to operate drones in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This development is seen as an important step toward scaling up drone-based last-mile delivery services. #thefreightarchitects #jaguarfreight #logistics

The FAA has approved commercial drone flights without visual observers, allowing companies like Zipline and Wing Aviation to conduct last-mile package deliveries using advanced Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology. The FAA previously gave Amazon permission to operate drones in beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. This development is seen as an important step toward scaling up drone-based last-mile delivery services. #thefreightarchitects #jaguarfreight #logistics