FAA

Without planning, drones represent a flying traffic nightmare

If drone delivery finally takes off, how long will it be before the first package is delayed due to congestion?

That is one of the issues drone manufacturers are trying to solve for right now, before it becomes a nightmare scenario. Israel has undertaken a two-year pilot to develop integrated communications systems to coordinate dozens of drones flying at the same time in small areas.

“This is an opportunity for the regulators to learn what is needed to establish delivery drones as a daily...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/without-planning-drones-represent-a-flying-traffic-nightmare

Drone delivery provider Flytrex lands $9M to scale US operations

Flytrex lands $9 million in funding

Flytrex, which is conducting a drone delivery pilot in North Carolina with Walmart (NYSE: WMT), has secured $9.3 million in additional funding to expand its operations and finalize Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification for drone deliveries.

Total funding for the company is now $20.3 million after it received $3 million in a Series A on Jan. 3, 2017, and an additional $8 million in a Series B on Jan. 8, 2019, according to Crunchbase. The latest round includes $8 million led by...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/drone-delivery-provider-flytrex-lands-9m-to-scale-us-operations

Flirtey firing up production, taking preorders for delivery drone

Flirtey, the first company in the U.S. to conduct a Federal Aviation Administration-approved drone delivery back in 2015, announced it is ready to ramp up production of its drone delivery system and is now taking preorders.

The Flirtey Eagle is part of the overall technology package the company offers, which includes the Flirtey Portal and autonomous software platform. The company is seeking FAA certification for its last-mile delivery drone system.

“Flirtey is certifying and expanding U.S....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/flirtey-firing-up-production-taking-preorders-for-delivery-drone

Best and worst states for drone operations

ranking states on most drone friendly

If you are a commercial drone operator – or hope to be one – the best state for you is probably North Dakota. You definitely don’t want to set up operations in Kentucky.

Those two states ranked first and last, respectively, on a new report from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. The report, “Which States are Prepared for the Drone Industry? A 50-State Report Card, Release 2.0,” was written by Brent Skorup and Connor Haaland. The research is an attempt to identify which states are...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/the-best-states-for-drone-delivery

United Airlines sacrifices cargo capacity to replace grounded 777s

A big United Airlines jet takes off with control tower behind it.

United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL) said Monday evening that the temporary removal of two dozen Boeing 777-200 passenger jets from its fleet as a safety precaution after an engine failure over the weekend could reduce cargo capacity for business customers as soon as March.

The Chicago-based carrier said some large aircraft that had been supporting dedicated cargo operations during the pandemic will return to passenger service to replace the grounded 777s and that cargo schedules will be adjusted...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/united-airlines-sacrifices-cargo-capacity-to-replace-grounded-777-200s

If drones can deliver Starbucks, what’s taking so long for packages?

Walmart and Flytrex testing drone delivery

If you live in Fayetteville, North Carolina, you can now have Starbucks delivered — not quite in your backyard yet, but soon perhaps.

An Israeli drone company, Flytrex, has been testing drone delivery in North Carolina, delivering items from restaurants in the Holly Springs Towne Center to a pickup location within a five-minute drone flight. Starbucks, Dairy Queen Blizzards, pastries and light meals are among the menu items.

“It’s more gentle than most human couriers,” Yariv Bash, co-founder and...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/if-drones-can-deliver-starbucks-whats-taking-so-long-for-packages?

Amazon, American Airlines execs to advise FAA on drone regulation

Two people look at a document with a drone positioned in the foreground.

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday named a dozen new members to its Drone Advisory Committee, including officials from Amazon and American Airlines.

The private-sector panel meets regularly to advise the Federal Aviation Administration on how to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace alongside with traditional aircraft. Executive-level representatives are selected from a wide range of stakeholders including the aviation industry, research and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amazon-american-airlines-execs-to-advise-faa-on-drone-regulation

New FAA rules put drone delivery closer to reality

A five-rotor drone lifts a package into the air.

Long-awaited regulations released Monday by the Federal Aviation Administration represent a big step toward wide-scale commercial use of drones in the U.S., including for package and cargo delivery, and full integration into the national airspace. 

The rules require unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to broadcast identification or location information and allow operators of small drones to fly over people and vehicles, and at night under certain conditions. The next major step toward integration is...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/new-faa-rules-put-drone-delivery-closer-to-reality

FAA endorses Moderna COVID vaccine for pilots

Inside a cockpit simulator.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday gave commercial pilots and air traffic controllers the green light to take Moderna Inc.’s (NASDQ: MRNA) COVID-19 vaccine, eliminating the possibility those who take the new drug might violate their medical certifications.

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved Moderna’s vaccine for public use on an emergency basis and the FAA quickly moved to endorse usage for two groups of essential transportation workers, as it did a week ago...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/faa-endorses-moderna-covid-vaccine-for-pilots

FAA clears pilots to receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Pilots in cockpit looking out at sky, ground below..

The Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday determined that commercial pilots and air traffic controllers subject to FAA medical clearance may receive Pfizer Inc.’s (NYSE: PFE) newly approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The Food and Drug Administration Friday night authorized the vaccine’s public use on an emergency basis after an extensive review of its safety and ability to protect against the virus, which has claimed nearly 300,000 lives in the U.S.

The Air Line Pilots Association earlier this week...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/faa-clears-pilots-to-receive-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine

+ More