UAS is the unmanned aircraft and all of the associated support equipment, control station,
data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment necessary
to operate the unmanned aircraft. Source: FAA
Background
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been used primarily by the military for
many years. As this emerging technology develops, UAS activity is on the rise
with benefits expected through a variety of civilian and commercial
applications. In 2012, federal legislation required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to safely integrate UAS into the National Air
Space by September 2015. In
December 2013, the FAA announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop
unmanned aircraft systems research and test sites around the country.
"These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several years... Texas A & M Univeristy, Corpus Christi was selected as one of the six sites and plans to develop system safey requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing." Source: FAA Press Release |
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Photo Credits: Getty images
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A Look at the FAA's Strategy for UAS Integration into the NAS
By Tom Hoffmann, Managing Editor, FAA Safety Briefing Magazine, May/June 2017 Edition
Recent FAA UAS Announcements and Press Releases
Current and upcoming requirements and restrictions for operation of UAS in the National Airspace System.
- "Effective December 21, 2015, anyone who owns a small unmanned aircraft of a certain weight must register with the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry before they fly outdoors. People who previously operated their UAS must register by February 19, 2016." Source: FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Registration
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Announces Unmanned Aircraft Registration Requirement
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Law Enforcement Resources
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
NCTCOG Unmanned Aircraft Systems Workshop - April 1, 2015
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Report
In February of 2012, NCTCOG staff published the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Report, a product of the Regional General Aviation
and Heliport System Plan.
To see a comparison of satellite, manned, and unmanned aircraft imagery, play the video below. Double click for full screen,
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Image Courtesy of Woolpert
To learn more about the benefits of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and how this technology can
save time, money, and lives please
visit The Benefits of Unmanned Aircraft Systems from The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.
Aviation Resource Links
Aviation Weather l Federal Aviation Administration l Texas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division
Staff
- Natalie Bettger, Sr. Program Manager
- Ernest Huffman, Principal Transportation Planner
- Lisa Key, Sr. Administrative Assistant
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