The Trusted Operator Program, which AUVSI launched in November, is a UAS community initiative to facilitate best practices, codes of conduct and professionalism for operators of services provided by UAS, also known as drones.

According to the report, that analyzed more than 3,000 FAA exemptions, 38 types of business operations have been approved to fly unmanned aircraft systems commercially in the National Airspace System (NAS).

After a comprehensive risk analysis, the Federal Aviation Administration has raised the unmanned aircraft "blanket" altitude authorization for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet.

The National Agricultural Aviation Association has launched a UAV safety campaign to raise awareness and prevent accidents between UAV operators and low-altitude manned aircraft.

The FAA announced this week a new effort to eventually loosen line of sights rules by partnering with organizations to perform test flights. One of the partners is PrecisionHawk.

According to the AUVSI, the rapid adoption of drones is going to create more than 100,000 jobs and $82-billion in economic impact over the next ten years.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) last week said it has submitted an official statement to the FAA in support of Yamaha’s bid to use UAS prior to the finalization of guidelines for small UAS usage.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) this week submitted official comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation in support of Trimble Navigation Limited’s bid to use UAS prior to the finalization of a small UAS rule.

Gretchen West serves as executive vice president of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and serves as an advocate for UAV use in a variety of sectors, including agriculture. She has an intimate knowledge of the tremendous potential UAV technology holds, along with the regulatory obstacles to widespread adoption. In this webinar event, West explains the value of UAVs in agriculture, market potential for dealers and ongoing challenges associated with sales and service of the technology. [To view any of our webinar replays, you must be logged in with a free user account.]