Briefings: March 2014

The FAA is moving forward to integrate autonomous aircraft into the National Airspace System -- at an excruciatingly slow speed for operators eager to use unmanned aerial systems, but perhaps still too fast for pilots worried about safety and separation. The six sites are in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas, New York, and Virginia. The FAA wants to see data showing that UASs can operate safely amid manned aircraft, and said the testing will continue until at least February 2017. The FAA also said it will establish rules to protect privacy as well as to ensure safe operations.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is proceeding with the slow integration of autonomous aircraft into the National Airspace System, conducting tests at six sites and planning new safety and privacy rules.
The NTSB has issued a series of safety alerts for general aviation, focusing on common risk factors and providing practical remedies to improve safety.
Virgin Galactic is continuing extensive testing of its SpaceShipTwo, aiming to complete its first commercial spaceflights with passengers by the end of 2014.
AOPA is replacing its annual Summit with a series of regional fly-ins across the country in 2014, offering various attractions and activities for members and the public.

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The FAA is moving forward to integrate autonomous aircraft into the National Airspace System — at an excruciatingly slow speed for operators eager to use unmanned aerial systems, but perhaps still too fast for pilots worried about safety and separation. The six sites are in Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota, Texas, New York, and Virginia. The FAA wants to see data showing that UASs can operate safely amid manned aircraft, and said the testing will continue until at least February 2017. The FAA also said it will establish rules to protect privacy as well as to ensure safe operations.

Last March, the National Transportation Safety Board issued five safety alerts aimed at general aviation, and in December, the board followed up with five more. The alerts focus attention on the most common risk factors the NTSB has identified. Each alert comprises a brief information sheet that explains the issue and suggests practical remedies. The board also has been posting short online videos to explain its concerns. The newest series of alerts targets shoulder harnesses, carburetor icing, ELTs, unsecured items in the cockpit, and fiber self-locking nuts. The alerts are posted online at http://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety_alerts.html.