Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Training Schools, New NPRM Comments, El Paso Airport Closure
AI Analysis
The article highlights advancements in UAS training in the UK, ongoing debates around FAA's Part 108 BVLOS NPRM, and challenges posed by counter-UAS operations, as seen during the El Paso airport closure. These developments underscore the growing importance of UAS operations and the need for balanced integration of counter-UAS technologies in civilian airspace.
Key Takeaways
- The UK has launched a new UAS training facility at West Wales Airport under the TEKEVER UK OVERMATCH program, aiming to train 120 UAS operators by 2026.
- The FAA reopened comments on Part 108 BVLOS NPRM, sparking debates on detect-and-avoid systems and electronic conspicuity for drones and manned aircraft.
- Amazon Prime Air supports the use of electronic conspicuity devices to enhance safety in BVLOS operations.
- El Paso airport experienced a temporary closure due to counter-UAS activity, highlighting the operational challenges of integrating counter-drone measures in civilian airspace.
- Counter-UAS technology is increasingly being recognized as critical infrastructure, with federal funding backing its development and deployment.
Why It Matters
The developments in UAS training and BVLOS regulations indicate a push toward scaling drone operations globally. However, the El Paso incident underscores the operational and regulatory challenges of deploying counter-UAS technologies in civilian airspace, emphasizing the need for solutions that balance safety and operational efficiency.
This week's news round up looks at a new UAS training facility in the United Kingdom, what the latest comments on the Part 108 BVLOS NPRM say, and how the El Paso airport closure effects counter-UAS operations of the future.
Efforts to scale up UAS operations are underway with a new training center at the West Wales Airport in the United Kingdom. Born from the TEKEVER UK OVERMATCH program, this program aims to train over 120 UAS operators in 2026. Last year, TEKEVER acquired the West Wales Airport and has been making strides in adapting it to a place of airspace training for the next generation. So far, the program has welcomed two cohorts in January and is fully operational.
Training will feature flight simulators, hands-on technical resources and aircraft components to allow for technical learning. The program focuses on line of sights operations and BVLOS operations to create a well-rounded operator. This kind of major UAS training initiative notes just how valuable the country sees UAS operations by fortifying the workforce of the future.
In late January of this year, the FAA briefly re-opened comments for specific sections on the Part 108 BVLOS NPRM around electronic conspicuity, right-of-way, and detect-and-avoid rules. These comments were closed on February 11th, but the resurgence has the industry talking.
Now that the dust has settled, and the new comments have been digested, AV Web has unpacked specific comments related to those issues.
Overall, there are competing beliefs around how well drones should be able to detect manned aircraft, despite whether the manned aircraft is equipped with electronic conspicuity devices. Additionally, some argue that such devices will help the industry scale and enable BVLOS operations. Amazon Prime Air supported this idea by describing how it adds a layer of safety when human and equipment errors occur.
Recently, the civilian airspace over El Paso was shut down due to counter-drone activity near the El Paso Airport, which created a large disruption in commercial flights. A temporary flight restriction was issued for a few hours.
This brought to light an underlying issue that will only become more prominent as counter-UAS efforts grow: how can we run both operations without disrupting the other?
This article discusses why the current counter-UAS technology – while very effective – is not ideal for civilian use. As mentioned in the comments of the Part 108 BLVOS NPRM, counter-UAS technology is becoming a part of critical infrastructure, so much so that there is federal funding behind it. Now the challenge is how can it be safely deployed without disrupting manned aircraft but also keeping them safe.
Erin Sewall is the Content Specialst for Commercial UAV News and Expo. Prior to joining Diversified Communications, Erin contributed to news sources for a major outdoor retail company. Erin graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and reading. She is a Maine native, and currently resides in Portland, Maine.
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