Category Archives: FAA

FAA- New Changes to Recreational Drone Flying in the United States

Posted on by

Reprinted from the FAA website at – https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/

Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations

You are considered a recreational user if you fly your drone for fun. It is important to know when and where you can fly and how to register your drone.

New Changes to Recreational Drone Flying in the United States

There’s a new law (PDF) that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. Following these rules will keep you and your drone safe and will help keep the airspace available to everyone.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Register your drone, mark it on the outside with the registration number (PDF), and carry proof of registration with you.
  2. Fly only for recreational purposes.
  3. Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization.
  4. Fly your drone at or below 400 feet when in uncontrolled or “Class G” airspace. This is airspace where the FAA is not controlling manned air traffic. To determine what type of airspace you are in, refer to the mobile application that operates your drone (if so equipped) and/or use other drone-related mobile applications. Knowing your location and what airspace you’re in will also help you avoid interfering with other aircraft.
  5. Do NOT fly in controlled airspace (around and above many airports) unless:You are flying at a recreational flyer fixed site that has an agreement with the FAA. The FAA has posted a list of approved sites (MS Excel) and has depicted them as blue dots on a map. Each fixed site is limited to the altitude shown on this map, which varies by location.

    NOTE: Flight in controlled airspace is temporarily limited to these fixed fields. The FAA is upgrading the online system, known as LAANC (the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), so that recreational operations can get automated airspace authorizations to fly in controlled airspace. This system is currently only available for certified Part 107 drone pilots.

    NOTE: If your organization is interested in establishing a letter of agreement for a fixed flying site, please contact us at ajt-9-uas-integration@faa.gov.

  6. Keep your drone within your line of sight, or within the visual line-of-sight of a visual observer who is co-located and in direct communication with you.
  7. Do NOT fly in airspace where flight is prohibited. Airspace restrictions can be found on our interactive map, and temporary flight restrictions can be found here. Drone operators are responsible for ensuring they comply with all airspace restrictions.
  8. Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports.
  9. Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people.
  10. Never fly near emergencies such as any type of accident response, law enforcement activities, firefighting, or hurricane recovery efforts.
  11. Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Recreational flyers should know that if they intentionally violate any of these safety requirements, and/or operate in a careless and reckless manner, they could be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties.

Read the Authorization for limited recreational operations as described in section 44809 (PDF). All limited recreational operations should be conducted in accordance with this authorization.

Changes Coming in the Future

The FAA is upgrading the online system, known as LAANC (the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), so that recreational operations can get automated airspace authorizations to fly in controlled airspace.

The new law also requires:

  1. Drone operators to pass an online aeronautical knowledge and safety test and carry proof of test passage.
  2. The FAA to issue guidance for how it will recognize community based organizations.

The FAA plans to have all of these features and requirements fully implemented by the summer of 2019.

Recreational Drone

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2019 NOTAM INCLUDES IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Posted on by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2019 NOTAM INCLUDES IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR PILOTS FLYING TO OSHKOSH

Oshkosh air traffic procedures are required reading for all aviators flying to AirVenture

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 9, 2019) — There are several important Federal Aviation Administration-approved changes in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), featuring arrival and departure procedures for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 67th annual fly-in convention July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. These changes are based on pilot feedback and FAA review of arrival procedure recommendations.

The NOTAM, which is in effect from 6 a.m. CDT on Friday, July 19, until noon CDT on July 29, outlines procedures for the many types of aircraft that fly to Oshkosh for the event, as well as aircraft that land at nearby airports. The NOTAM was designed by the FAA to assist pilots in their EAA AirVenture flight planning. This year’s NOTAM cover features two photos: One from the 1970 EAA fly-in at Oshkosh and a similar view at the 2018 event, showing the event’s huge growth over the past half-century.

Some of the 2019 changes include:

  • New procedures for aircraft diversion to Fond du Lac (KFDL) in the event of airport closure at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH)
  • Removal of restriction on transponder use
  • IFR routing changes
  • Multiple changes in the ultralight/homebuilt rotorcraft arrival and departure procedures

Other changes are part of the updated Oshkosh arrival “best practices,“ such as procedures to limit the impact of VFR mass arrivals; development of a text message system to keep pilots informed of KOSH current status for arrivals; and ATC utilization of a ground stop/delay system out to 150 miles.

Pilots can download a digital version of the NOTAM at www.EAA.org/NOTAM, or order a free printed copy via that website or by calling EAA Membership Services at 800-564-6322.

“EAA and pilots offered numerous recommendations for the AirVenture arrival procedures, some of which were approved by FAA for 2019. It’s especially important all pilots flying to Oshkosh read and understand this year’s NOTAM,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “In addition, the FAA is establishing a safety risk management panel to review the other recommendations, in which EAA will participate. EAA wishes to see an expedient process to update the Oshkosh NOTAM, but understands FAA’s mandate to prevent unintended negative consequences that may come as part of any change.”

In addition to the NOTAM, South 40 area expansion has added 17 acres of aircraft parking and camping at Oshkosh, allowing more aircraft to be accommodated at Wittman Regional Airport.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

SkyWatch.AI Announces Partnerships with Sky Smith

Posted on by

SkyWatch.AI Announces Partnerships with Sky Smith

Palo Alto, California, May 2nd, 2019 – SkyWatch.AI, a leading risk-assessment and InsurTech platform for the drone industry, announced today its partnership and technological integration with Sky Smith along with eight other leading US aviation brokers to provide drone insurance on a monthly subscription basis from a dedicated web portal.

Sky Smith will now offer their customers direct access to SkyWatch.AI’s monthly drone insurance plan as part of their service, the policies are underwritten by Starr Insurance Companies.

The commercial drone industry continues to grow exponentially, with projections that businesses and civil governments will have spent $13 billion on drone technology between 2016 and 2020. With the potential for usage in industries from firefighting to photography to farming, drones have proven their value in safety, accuracy, and costs. But if proper risk protocols are not taken before operation, these drones can pose major risks. The potential threat posed by commercial drones has led to the need for more effective insurance platforms for any pilot engaging in these activities.

To mitigate these risks, SkyWatch.AI created an on-demand insurtech platform for commercial drone use that provides data analysis and active risk-reduction capabilities for drone pilots; this means pilots can fly safer, faster, and more efficiently at great insurance rates. Drone pilots can now purchase SkyWatch.AI’s liability and hull insurance through their broker’s web portal. Pilots benefit both from the personal service of their trusted broker and a seamless, intuitive digital experience.

“After serving thousands of drone pilots with the SkyWatch.AI mobile app, we saw the demand to expand our solution to include even more drone pilots, including those who would like to continue working with their existing brokers. Hence, we’re excited to launch this new development,” said Tomer Kashi, CEO of SkyWatch.AI. “We are proud to have partnered with innovative brokers to offer best-in-class, on-demand drone insurance solution via web and mobile.”