FAA Reauthorization Act

10 'FAA Reauthorization Act' stories September 2018 - May 2019

FAA issues new rules for hobbyist drone pilots

Haye Kesteloo May 20 2019 - 1:57 pm PT

FAA issues new rules for hobbyist drone pilots

Last Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued new rules for hobbyist drone pilots in an effort to keep the national airspace safe and available for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Hobbyist or recreational drone pilots are no longer exempt under Section 336 and are now required to follow these new FAA rules and regulations. Unfortunately, for the time being, this means that hobbyist or recreational drone pilots are no longer able to fly in controlled airspace at all, with the exception of these designated areas.

Later this summer, when the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system will be made available to hobbyist drone pilots, they will be required to obtain approval for their flights in controlled airspace through the LAANC system. If this sounds to you like the FAA is putting the horse behind the wagon, then I would agree. However, this is the situation that we are dealing with for now. Keep in mind it will only be temporary until the FAA makes LAANC available to all pilots.

However, this is not all. The FAA will also require all hobbyist drone pilots to take an electronic aeronautical knowledge and safety test. And, you will be required to show proof of you successfully passing the exam to any FAA official or police officer upon request.

Keep reading for all the details of these new rules and what it means to you. If you prefer to watch a 12-minute video instead of reading, I suggest you watch the one below from 51drones.

Expand
Expanding
Close

FAA no longer allows hobby drone pilots to fly in controlled airspace

Paul Aitken May 17 2019 - 1:55 pm PT

0 Comments

Hobby drone pilots not allowed to fly in controlled airspace by FAA

The FAA dealt a serious blow to hobby drone pilots when they released these new rules that restrict them from flying in controlled airspace over many American cities. Hobby drone pilots were allowed to fly in controlled airspace with a notification to air traffic control, or by flying at an AMA Field.

Expand
Expanding
Close

FAA is significantly behind on implementing Remote ID for drones

Haye Kesteloo Nov 23 2018 - 1:13 pm PT

0 Comments

In a WSJ article from yesterday, it is reported that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is significantly behind on implementing Remote ID for drones and that new rules are likely still years away. Raising concerns among industry officials that “the delay could stymie their most ambitious plans for years.”

Expand
Expanding
Close

DJI Airworks: How the FAA Reauthorization will impact your drone business

Haye Kesteloo Nov 2 2018 - 11:38 am PT

0 Comments

DJI Airworks: How the FAA Reauthorization will impact your drone business

The Commercial UAV Policy Panel (The new drone policy era ahead – How FAA Reauthorization will impact your business) was one of the most informing panels, I attended during DJI’s Airworks 2018. It provided an update and perspective of what commercial drone operators can expect now that the FAA Reauthorization Act has been signed into law. The panel consisted of some heavyweights from the drone industry, including three lawyers and a few pilots. All of them, experts on the subject matter.

I tried to capture the entire session on camera but unfortunately missed a little bit at the beginning and towards the end due to battery switching, full memory cards, etc. Either way, if you are a commercial drone operator and want to find out what the latest is, I highly recommend watching the video below.

Expand
Expanding
Close

FAA Reauthorization Act

President Trump signs FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018

Haye Kesteloo Oct 5 2018 - 6:43 pm PT

0 Comments

President Trump signs FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018

Today, President Trump signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. In a public statement, the FAA says that this establishes new conditions for the recreational use of drones. It also means that Section 336, the Special Rule for Model Aircraft is repealed effective immediately. Although the FAA admits that the Act ‘cannot be fully implemented immediately’ and therefor advices you to ‘follow all current policies and guidance’ when it comes to flying drones recreationally.

Expand
Expanding
Close

FAA Reauthorization Act

Government has virtual Carte Blanche to shoot a drone out of the sky

Haye Kesteloo Oct 5 2018 - 12:34 pm PT

0 Comments

The FAA Reauthorization Act has as many proponents as it has critics. One of the major concerns that various parties have expressed is the government’s virtual carte blanche to surveil, seize, or even shoot a drone out of the sky without first obtaining a warrant.

Expand
Expanding
Close

FAA Reauthorization Act

Alliance for Drone Innovation ‘thrilled’ with passage FAA Reauthorization Act

Haye Kesteloo Oct 4 2018 - 6:19 pm PT

0 Comments

Alliance for Drone Innovation 'thrilled' with passage FAA Reauthorization Act

The Alliance for Drone Innovation (ADI) issued a statement to let the world know that they are thrilled with the final passage of the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act. They thanked and congratulated the House and Senate for working ‘tirelessly together’ to pass legislation that provides ‘a long-term FAA authorization.’ The alliance consists of many well-known industry players such as Chinese drone-maker DJI, GoPro, FatShark, 3DR, Parrot, Kittyhawk, and others. The alliance was started earlier this year and interestingly enough, GoPro is part of the group even though they have exited the drone business after their Karma drone failed proved unsuccessful.

Expand
Expanding
Close

H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 passed by Senate today

Haye Kesteloo Oct 3 2018 - 9:04 pm PT

0 Comments

H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 passed by Senate today

With a 93-6 vote, the Senate passed the H.R. 302, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 today. After six extensions that kept the FAA’s funding at a level first set in 2012, it now has funding in place for the next five years. After the Senate vote, the Act moves on to the White House for President Trump to sign it into law. It brings many changes to the general aviation industry as well as to the drone industry specifically. We have included a summary of the changes in this post.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Electronic Frontier Foundation says ‘no’ to FAA Reauthorization Act

Haye Kesteloo Sep 27 2018 - 12:51 pm PT

0 Comments

The FAA’s funding and authorization expire on September 30th. The keep the agency functioning the Senate needs to approve the Reauthorization Bill before the end of the month. Electronic Frontier Foundation points out that the “current bill has been stuffed with last-minute provisions that would strip people of their constitutional rights,” and asks people to join the EFF in saying ‘no’ to the FAA Reauthorization Act.

Expand
Expanding
Close

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) condemns FAA Reauthorization Bill

Haye Kesteloo Sep 27 2018 - 10:02 am PT

0 Comments

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) condemns FAA Reauthorization Bill

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) is urging its members to contact their congressional representatives to vote against the latest version of the FAA Reauthorization Bill of 2018. According to the AMA, the bill includes adjustments to Section 336 (the Special Rule for Model Aircraft) that will create burdensome restrictions on the use of model aircraft. The Senate will be voting on the bill this week.

Expand
Expanding
Close