Remotely Piloted Systems

A great example of the type of situation where drone hobbyists increasingly try to fly their platforms and where authorities are pushing back: wildfire i

The FAA has again called on industry stakeholders to help develop rules for drone flying, this time for “micro” unmanned aircraft systems that would be allowed to fly over people. The agency is assembling an Aviation Rulemaking Committee (PDF) that will have about five weeks to come up with recommendations for the size and makeup of drones considered safe for flying in the presence of non-operators, and how their operations would be regulated. The micro-drone concept was part of the FAA’s proposed rule from a year ago to allow flights over “any person” if the drone weighed no more than 4.4 pounds and was made of easily broken materials to avoid injuries. The micro category was dropped from ensuing drone proposals, and on Wednesday the agency said it wants to take “a more flexible, performance-based approach” to revisit the idea. Twenty-six organizations (PDF), including those representing general aviation, air carriers and drone manufacturers, are invited to join the committee, which has until April 1 to submit its recommendations.

Scientists studying animals in their natural habitats can now just send in a drone with a camera, rather than trudging through rough terrain. But a new study finds that the drones don't go unnoticed.