GPS World

Tag: FAA

  • FAA forecasts sustained growth for UAS

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released its annual Aerospace Forecast Report Fiscal Years 2016 to 2036, which finds a sustained increase in the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) as well as overall air travel.

    A key portion of the forecast focuses on projections for the growth in the use of unmanned aircraft, also known as drones. The FAA estimates small, hobbyist UAS purchases may grow from 1.9 million in 2016 to as many as 4.3 million by 2020.

    Sales of UAS for commercial purposes are expected to grow from 600,000 in 2016 to 2.7 million by 2020. Combined total hobbyist and commercial UAS sales are expected to rise from 2.5 million in 2016 to 7 million in 2020.

    Predictions for small UAS used in the commercial fleet are more difficult to develop given the dynamic, quickly evolving nature of the market. Both sales and fleet-size estimates share certain broad assumptions about operating limitations for small UAS during the next five years: daytime operations, within visual line of sight, and a single pilot operating only one small UAS at a time. The main difference in the high and low end of the forecasts is differing views on how those limitations will influence the widespread use of UAS for commercial purposes.

    Looking at commercial air travel, Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs) are considered the benchmark for measuring aviation growth. An RPM is one revenue passenger traveling one mile. The FAA forecast calls for system RPMs by mainline and regional air carriers to grow at an average rate of 2.6 percent a year between 2016 and 2036, with international RPMs projected to increase 3.5 percent a year, doubling over the forecast period. Domestic RPMs are forecast to increase by more than 50 percent over the same time. In 2015, system RPMs by U.S. carriers grew from 857 billion to 889 billion, a 3.8 percent increase.

    The FAA’s NextGen program is helping to meet this consistent aviation growth. NextGen focuses on implementing technologies and procedures that utilize satellite-based aircraft navigation and phase out efficiency limitations of the current ground-based radar navigation system. For example, the environmental and economic gains of reduced fuel usage associated with NextGen advancements are projected to achieve a savings of billions of dollars in airline operational costs and achieve sustainable aviation growth.

    Proven economic data that utilize sources such as generally accepted projections for the nation’s GDP are used in the FAA annual forecast, which has consistently made it the industry-wide standard of U.S. aviation-related activities. The report looks at all facets of air travel including commercial airlines, air cargo, private general aviation, and fleet sizes.

    FAA Aviation Forecast Fact Sheet

  • FAA unveils effort to expand the safe integration of UAVs

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is establishing an aviation rulemaking committee with industry stakeholders to develop recommendations for a regulatory framework that would allow certain UAS to be operated over people who are not directly involved in the operation of the aircraft.

    The FAA is taking this action to provide a more flexible, performance-based approach for these operations than what was considered for micro UAS. A UAS is generally defined as a micro UAS if it weighs no more than 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) and is constructed of frangible materials “that break, distort, or yield on impact so as to present a minimal hazard to any person or object.”

    The committee will begin its work in March and issue its final report to the FAA on April 1. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is a participant.

    “The Department continues to be bullish on new technology,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We recognize the significant industry interest in expanding commercial access to the National Airspace System. The short deadline reinforces our commitment to a flexible regulatory approach that can accommodate innovation while maintaining today’s high levels of safety.”

    The rulemaking committee will develop recommendations for performance-based standards for the classification and operation of certain UAS that can be operated safely over people; identify how UAS manufacturers can comply with the requirements; and propose operational provisions based on the requirements. The FAA will draft a rulemaking proposal after reviewing the committee’s report.

    “Based on the comments about a ‘micro’ classification submitted as part of the small UAS proposed rule, the FAA will pursue a flexible, performance-based regulatory framework that addresses potential hazards instead of a classification defined primarily by weight and speed,”said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.

    To develop this framework, the FAA is seeking advice and recommendations from a diverse set of aviation stakeholders, including UAS manufacturers, UAS operators, consensus-standards organization, and researchers and academics.

    The UAS registration task force established last October serves as a model for the Micro UAS rulemaking committee.  The committee will be co-chaired by Earl Lawrence, Director, FAA UAS Integration Office and Nancy Egan, General Counsel, 3D Robotics.

    A Q&A PDF provides additional details.

  • FY 2017 budget request includes $857 million for GPS

    The President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2017 includes $847.362 million in Department of Defense funds and $10 million in Department of Transportation funds to sustain and modernize the Global Positioning System (GPS).

    Funds will go toward the GPS III program, including the new ground system (OCX), military user equipment, and wide-area augmentation through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

    FY 2017 Program Element
    FY 2016
    Enacted
    FY 2017
    Request
    Space Procurement, Air Force: GPS III Satellites $199.218M $34.059M
    RDT&E, Air Force: GPS III Satellites $180.902M $141.888M
    RDT&E, Air Force: Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX) $350.232M $393.268M
    RDT&E, Air Force: Military GPS User Equipment $142.288M $278.147M
    DOT Research & Technology: Civil Signal Monitoring – Air Force – GPS $15M $10M

    By national policy, DOT provides resources to DOD for assessment, development, acquisition, implementation, operation, and sustainment of additional designated GPS civil capabilities beyond the second and third civil signals. In addition, the DOT budget includes the following GPS augmentations and activities.

    FY 2017 Program
    FY 2016
    Enacted
    FY 2017
    Request
    FAA Facilities & Equipment: Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and GPS Civil Requirements Oversight $80.6M $85M
    FAA Facilities & Equipment: Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) GEO Satellite Leases $26.6M $26.6M
    DOT Research & Technology: Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) $1.61M $1.61M

    More details on the budget are available at GPS.gov.

  • Insurance and law firms start drone services

    Insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada have jumped on the UAV bandwagon, with many now offering coverage for commercial drone users. The insurance usually covers liability for any damage caused by the drone, with comprehensive options covering damage to the drone itself.

    Unmanned Risk Management, which also insures helicopters and other aircraft, has insured drones in all 50 U.S. states and in other countries, and has insured the seven film operators that received Section 333 exemptions.

    ProSight Specialty Insurance, which operates in the U.S. and UK, was given a Best in Biz Award partly for creating insurance for drone operators. ”It’s so prescient and forward-thinking given the burgeoning use of drones in today’s business world,” said a Best in Biz judge.

    AIG has developed commercial UAV coverage designed for the exposure faced by remotely piloted, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous aircraft.

    In Canada, Intact Insurance’s UAV coverage caters to small and medium-sized businesses that use or plan to use drones in their business operations.

    Meanwhile, a Chicago law firm is now specializing in federal commercial drone law. Antonelli Law became the first law firm in the U.S. to be invited by drone maker DJI to participate in the company’s referral program for commercial drone users to help them receive Section 333 exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2015, Antonelli Law filed more than 50 petitions with the FAA.

    The firm also launched a specialized drone law service for police and fire departments, community colleges, universities and municipalities obtain FAA exemptions.

  • AUVSI to host massive trade show, works with US UAV regulators

    The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has renamed its major annual conference — XPONENTIAL — and the 2016 edition will be held in New Orleans at the Morial Convention Center on the west bank of the Mississippi, May 2–5. The huge convention center is hosting the event across two large halls, with more than 350,000 square feet of space for up to 600 exhibits.

    With 370 exhibitors already signed up, you might want to decide who to put on your visit list if you’ve never been to one of these AUVSI exhibitions. Because just roaming the show floor without a plan can lead to frustration and exhaustion — the show is huge, not only in square feet, but also in the number and size of the exhibits. Full-size helicopters, Humvee-type vehicles and drones — lots and lots of different types of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) or drones for any and all applications.

    There is everything a drone manufacturer might need to develop and integrate into the latest small (sUAV), medium or large quadcopter, hexcopter, octocopter, fixed wing or STOL (short take-off and landing) air vehicle. Plus, you’ll find ground vehicles and surface and underwater vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

    Propellers, engines, payloads of all sorts including cameras, radars, IR and lasers, plus connectors and electrical, mechanical and electro-mechanical components and systems, manufacturing systems, 3D printing, modeling, designing, developing — all in all, too much stuff to even mention everything that goes into, onto and processes/tools for manufacturing a UAV.

    But, of course, our interest might be more readily captured by the booths exhibiting flight-control systems, sensors, antennas, autopilots, inertial, satellite and terrestrial radios and services, computing, GNSS and other guidance systems — and even avionics for drones. UAV ground control systems (UAV + ground control system = unmanned air system or UAS) are also present in force, along with all their constituent pieces. A ground control system can be more complex than a larger UAV, or sometimes as simple as an app on a tablet.

    Applications are also featured in exhibit groupings for survey and mapping, air and start-up. Also, a large number of U.S. states and related academic, research, test and development organizations are represented this year, along with dedicated Chinese, French, Canadian and UK exhibit areas.

    There also seems to be some presence for insurance, legal, certification and training organizations aiming to support the emerging commercial opportunities that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Section 333 approvals have enabled. The FAA continues to grant Section 333 exemptions, which have allowed commercial, research and agency drones to fly in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) on a trial and operational basis.

    The FAA issued a fact sheet in mid-December that outlined safety reasons for federal oversight of aviation and airspace, and explained federal responsibility in this area. The object appears to be to let states know that the FAA has federal jurisdiction, and is therefore in charge of regulating access to and operations in the U.S. NAS. The fact sheet perhaps also aims to slow down recent state and city efforts — such as those in Miami, Albany County and New Jersey — to publish their own ordinances and laws related to UAV activity.

    Meanwhile, the FAA’s recent UAV registration requirements for anything unmanned that takes to the air in the U.S. have met with mixed reactions. U.S. drone operators have indeed already complied and registered more than 181,000 UAVs, but one individual has filed a suit against the FAA alleging Section 333 does not allow the FAA to make any new rules or regulations regarding model aircraft if they’re flown for hobby or recreational purposes. We’ll have to see how this all turns out — AUVSI, which represents a good portion of the UAS industry, has already come out supporting the FAA’s UAV registration program.

    AUVSI continues to call for the FAA to publish regulations that would allow small UAVs to operate in the U.S. NAS. These small UAV regulations have been in the works for several years and have yet to be formally released or implemented by the FAA. AUVSI argues that if these regulations were to be released, the commercial UAV industry would really take off and produce billions in revenue and create thousands of jobs.

    In order to help move UAV integration forward, NASA has been working on traffic management concepts for UAS. The first section of this system was tested in August, looking mostly at topics such as geofencing so drones automatically avoid certain restricted areas, and also trajectory planning.

    Google and Amazon have also been looking into UAS Traffic Management (UTM) systems. Amazon has proposed a high-speed UAS transit corridor between 200 and 400 feet, with slower vehicles flying below, and larger ones above it. Verizon has also been exploring how cellular networks could be used to enhance drone safety in the future. The FAA’s Pathfinder Programs also aim to investigate areas, such as beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights, that may assist in the development of UTM.

    So, XPONENTIAL 2016 is a great UAV show to put in your calendar (May 2-5 in New Orleans) if you have interest in learning more about UAV/UAS, or in moving further into the growing business of UAVs, plus lots of related activity promising growth for actual UAV commercial operations in the U.S. There is always a lot going on nowadays in the world of unmanned vehicles.

    Tony Murfin
    GNSS Aerospace

  • FAA Pathfinder test inspects rail tracks

    Launching at a tower site near Vaughn, New Mexico, Insitu accomplished a commercial beyond-visual-line-of-sight operation with an unmanned aerial system (UAS).

    The Oct. 25 event marked the beginning of a week-long series of flights with BNSF Railway designed to show how UAVs can enhance the safety of critical infrastructure by aiding with inspections.

    During the 14 hours of flyovers, the Insitu ScanEagle targeted problems such as washouts and bridge damage. The information gathered was then fed back to Insitu personnel on the ground in real time.

    Insitu and BNSF officials launch ScanEagle for the historic first flight. (Photo: Insitu Inc.)
    Insitu and BNSF officials launch ScanEagle for the historic first flight. (Photo: Insitu Inc.)

    The flights were part of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) Pathfinder program announced on May 6. For Pathfinder, the FAA selected three companies — CNN, PrecisionHawk and BNSF — to explore commercial use of drones beyond operations proposed in its draft UAS rule published in February.

    The FAA tasked BNSF Railway, the second-largest freight railroad network in North America, with inspecting rail infrastructure beyond visual line of sight. BNSF operates 32,500 miles of track.

    BNSF selected the Scan-Eagle because it carries an FAA certification for commercial applications. The UAV is capable of providing 3D rendering as well as high-resolution video magnification.

    In its first day of operations, the ScanEagle UAV provided real-time video covering 64 miles of the 132-mile stretch of track that BNSF has designated for the exercise. The ScanEagle is capable of flying for up to 24 hours at speeds of up to 80 knots.
    The exercise demonstrated how, in addition to a railway company’s traditional methods of track monitoring, unmanned aircraft can not only improve inspections, but keep employees out of harm’s way and harsh conditions.

    Insitu, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, creates and supports unmanned systems and software technology for collecting, processing and understanding sensor data.

    Under Pathfinder, CNN is researching visual line of sight operations for newsgathering in urban areas, and working with Georgia Tech University to improve newsgathering for all organizations. PrecisionHawk is investigating agricultural operations for rural areas, flying outside line of sight.

  • FAA releases B4UFLY iPhone app on Apple Store

    The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) drone app — B4UFLY — is being released for Apple, following an initial beta testing period. The app can be dowloaded from the Apple store.

    The FAA also is releasing a beta version of B4UFLY for Android devices, which can be downloaded from Google.

    B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

    “We expect B4UFLY will help raise public awareness about what it means to operate unmanned aircraft safely,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “It is another important part of our education and awareness efforts to foster a culture of safety and accountability for the UAS community.”

    The B4UFLY app includes a number of enhancements the FAA developed as a result of user feedback during the beta testing announced in May 2015. Within two taps, users know if it is safe to fly at their current location. The app provides a status indicator that tells users: “Proceed with Caution,” “Warning – Action Required,” or “Flight Prohibited.”

    The app also features a planner mode that allows users to select a different time and location for an upcoming flight and determine if there are any restrictions at that place and time.

    By law, hobbyists who want to fly within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and the air traffic control facility (if there is one) prior to flying.

    For now, B4UFLY will ask users who are supposed to notify the airport before flying for voluntary information about their planned flight. This will not meet the statutory requirement to notify the airport and air traffic control facility, but the data will help the agency make informed policy decisions related to notification. This information will not be publicly available.

    You can find more information on our B4UFLY webpage.

  • FAA small unmanned aircraft registration begins

    The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry is now live and ready for owners of hobby UAS to use at www.faa.gov/uas/registration. Registration is free for the first 30 days with a rebate, then $5 after that.

    The online registration system does not yet support registration of small UAS used for any purpose other than hobby or recreation — for example, using an unmanned aircraft in connection with a business. The FAA is developing enhancements that will allow such online registrations by spring of 2016.

    During the registration process, each owner must provide his or her name, home address and e-mail address. When registration is complete, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership including a unique identification number for the UAS owner, which must be marked on the aircraft.

    Owners using the model aircraft for hobby or recreation will only have to register once and may use the same identification number for all of their model UAS. The registration is valid for three years.

    All aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms), including payloads such as on-board cameras, must be registered.

    Under this rule, owners who previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to Dec. 21, 2015, must register no later than Feb. 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after Dec. 21 must register before the first flight outdoors. Owners can use either the paper-based process or the new streamlined, web-based system. Owners using the new streamlined web-based system must be at least 13 years old to register.

    If assistance is needed with registration, email [email protected].

    The FAA also reminds unmanned aircraft owners there’s no need to work with a “drone registration” company to help file an application for a registration number. The registration site is designed to be simple and easy to use for every hobbyist.

    The FAA has partnered with several industry associations to educate the public about using unmanned aircraft safely and responsibly. Flight rules include:

    Fly below 400 feet altitude.

    • Keep your unmanned aircraft in sight at all times.
    • Never fly near manned aircraft, especially near airports.
    • Never fly over groups of people, stadiums or sporting events.
    • Never fly near emergency response efforts.
  • FAA unveils UAS rule, begins drone registry Dec. 21

    FAA unveils UAS rule, begins drone registry Dec. 21

    The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Dec. 14 an official rule and registration process for hobbyists who own small unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, including payloads such as on-board cameras.

    The online registration system does not yet support registration of small UAS used for any purpose other than hobby or recreation — for example, using an unmanned aircraft in connection with a business. The FAA is developing enhancements that will allow such online registrations by spring of 2016.

    The registration procedure is a statutory requirement that applies to all hobby aircraft. Under this rule, any owner of a small UAS who has previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to Dec. 21, 2015, must register no later than Feb. 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after Dec. 21, 2015, must register before the first flight outdoors.

    The Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Nov. 21. The rule incorporates many of the task force recommendations, the FAA says.

    “Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” Foxx said in the announcement. “Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I’m excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation.”

    Owners may register through a web-based system or paper-based process. There is a $5 registration fee, but the FAA is offering a full rebate for those who register before Jan. 20, 2016.

    Under the rule, each aircraft must be marked with a unique number, although not necessarily the serial number. The goal is to help authorities track down an owner if a drone collides with another aircraft, flies too high or encroaches on an airport.

    Registrants will need to provide their name, home address and email address. Upon completion of the registration process, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership that will include a unique identification number for the UAS owner, which must be marked on the aircraft.

    Owners using the model aircraft for hobby or recreation will only have to register once and may use the same identification number for all of their model UAS. The registration is valid for three years.

    “We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” Huerta said. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”

  • Expert Opinions: FAA UAV registration requirement

    Q: What do you think of the FAA requirement that all UAV purchasers register their devices?

    Lydia Bock President and CEO Geodetics Inc.
    Lydia Bock
    President and CEO
    Geodetics Inc.
    A: We need a pragmatic and sensible response to the integration of UAVs into the civil airspace, balancing safety of civil aviation and the economic benefits associated with the emerging markets and applications of UAV technologies.

    Clearly maintaining flight safety in the national airspace is critical. A balanced approach would include registration of UAVs, education for hobbyists and FAA flight certifications for commercial operations.

    New technologies for automated sense-and-avoid should be investigated, and their certification for use should be streamlined.

    John Studenny Director System Engineering Esterline - CMC Navigation Systems
    John Studenny
    Director System Engineering
    Esterline – CMC Navigation Systems
    A: Registration of all radio-controlled (RC) aircraft or UAVs upon purchase may be too broad or harsh, and may conflict with current freedoms already enjoyed by hobbyists.

    However, as capabilities (altitude, speed, flight duration, payload capacity) increase beyond what today’s RC aircraft or UAVs can deliver, regulations and registration may be required.

    It comes down to UAV capability and how the UAVs are used. That needs to be the focus of any regulation or enforcement.

  • FAA’s Drone Task Force Issues Registration Recommendations

    A proposed national drone registration system should be based on the pilot, not the craft, recommends an FAA task force. It should also be free, electronic and immediate, and not apply to UAVs weighing 250 grams or less.

    In October, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta announced the creation of the task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

    The Task Force agreed that it was outside its scope to debate the Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary’s decision to require registration of sUAS or the legal authority for the implementation of such a mandate.

    Immediately following the DOT’s announcement in October, the FAA brought together retailers, pilots, industry representatives and others to talk about the proposal and submit comments on how the system should work.

    Task force members interviewed FAA officials, met for three days and prepared final recommendations. They agreed on three basic requirements: Owners must fill out an electronic form, immediately receive a certificate of registration and number for use on all UAVs they own, and mark all applicable drones with a registered number.

    The Task Force recommendations for the registration process are:

    1. Fill out an electronic registration form through the web or through an application (app).
    2. Immediately receive an electronic certificate of registration and a personal universal registration number for use on all sUAS owned by that person.
    3. Mark the registration number (or registered serial number) on all applicable sUAS before their operation in the National Air Space (NAS).

    The Task Force recommended an exclusion from the registration requirement for any small unmanned aircraft weighing a total of 250 grams or less. The exclusion was based on a maximum weight that was defined as the maximum weight possible including the aircraft, payload, and any other associated weight. In manned aircraft terms, it is the “maximum takeoff weight.”

    Read the report here.

     

  • UAV registration won’t require third-party help

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants unmanned aircraft owners to know that there’s no need to work with a “drone registration” company to help them file an application for a registration number.

    Owners should wait until additional details about the forthcoming drone registration system are announced later this month before paying anyone to do the work for them.

    The Task Force assigned to provide FAA Administrator Michael Huerta with recommendations on the registration process is still days away from delivering this information. But at least one company is already offering to help people register their drones — for a fee.

    Speaking to the Task Force two weeks ago, Administrator Huerta told the group to provide guidance on a streamlined unmanned aircraft registration process that will be simple and easy to complete, and which types of UAS would need to be registered and which would not. The Task Force agreed and is working on recommendations for a system that is similar to registering any newly purchased product with its manufacturer, as well as a minimum weight for unmanned aircraft that must be registered.

    Drone owners should visit FAA.gov for official updates on the unmanned aircraft registry.