Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

The FAA has released a notice of proposed rulemaking (<a href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/BVLOS_NPRM_website_version.pdf">NPRM</a>) for low-level beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) missions. This will help UAS operators who are planning to serve new markets, according to NBAA, which welcomed the NPRM. Under existing rules, drone pilots must seek a waiver or exemption for each BVLOS flight.
“NBAA and UAS operators commend the FAA for issuing this proposed rulemaking,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, “which will unlock new capabilities and commercial opportunities for many organizations. While still just a proposed rule with opportunity for public comment and modifications, the long-awaited NPRM is a crucial step in advancing safe, efficient UAS operations in the National Airspace System and offers an effective framework for providing UAS operators confidence in developing future business and operational plans.”
The proposed Part 108 would add a BVLOS rating for people holding a remote pilot certificate. Other actions under consideration include new operating rules for UAS cargo delivery for compensation or hire and a regulatory approval pathway for third-party services such as UAS traffic management service providers.
“Normalizing BVLOS flights is key to realizing drones’ societal and economic benefits,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, public safety, recreation, and flight testing are just some of the uses we expect to see as we enable these innovative technologies while maintaining the safety of our National Airspace System.”
Meanwhile, in a demonstration of the benefits of BVLOS flights, iSight Drone Services delivered medical supplies more than 80 miles from Williston to Watford City, North Dakota. The BVLOS flight was conducted in collaboration with Northern Plains UAS Test Site and Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide BVLOS system.
The delivery demonstration was part of federally funded Project RuralReach, which is led by the&nbsp;University of North Dakota Center for Innovation, in partnership with&nbsp;Northern Plains UAS Test Site, Vantis, and regional research partners.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

NBAA: Proposed BVLOS Rules Will Benefit UAS Providers and National Airspace 

Part 108 rule would expand business opportunities for drone operators

The FAA's proposed Part 108 rule would add a beyond visual line of sight rating for drone operators holding a remote pilot certificate. 

NBAA: Proposed BVLOS Rules To Benefit UAS Providers 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

Kargo II triples the payload capacity of the original Kargo UAV

Piasecki Unveils Upgraded Kargo UAV for Autonomous Logistics

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Acquisitions build on military aircraft joint venture with Anduril 

Archer Boosts Defense Capability with Overair IP and Composites Facility

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

Partnership builds on previous work on detect and avoid technology 

NASA Teams With Reliable Robotics On Large UAS Airspace Integration 

Flights connecting Zhuhai and Guangzhou carried seafood and medical samples

EHang Conducts Cargo Delivery Service Demo with VT-20 Autonomous eVTOL

Merlin is one of six autonomy specialists joining Northrop’s Beacon Project

Northrop Grumman and Merlin Partner on Autonomous Flight

Company will inform standards for military autonomous collaborative platforms, including uncrewed air systems

U.S. Air Force Taps Reliable Robotics To Develop Autonomy Architecture

Customers can purchase Parrot's drone or add its AI Autopilot to their own UAVs.

Parrot Launches Military Drone for Ukraine Conflict, Plus AI Autopilot System for UAVs

Amy Wilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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