FAA

This holiday season, shoppers will buy nearly 1.6 million drones, up 31 percent from last year, according to the Consumer Technology Association.

The Drone Under Your Tree Can't Fly High Until Registered With The FAA

1:20pm December 23, 2017

by Emily Sullivan

Drones will be placed under many Christmas trees this year. But before they can be flown above the treetops, they must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration for a $5 fee.

The FAA approved a Pulse Vapor drone like this one — but outfitted with LTE radios and antennas — to provide temporary voice, data, and internet service in Puerto Rico.

National

FAA Approves Drone As 'Cell Phone Tower In The Sky' For Puerto Rico

5:11pm November 17, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The aircraft is called the Flying COW, for Cell on Wings. Developed by AT&T, it can provide voice, data and Internet service for 40 square miles and up to 8,000 people at a time.

An NTSB investigation on a deadly hot air balloon crash in July 2016 found that the pilot had a "pattern of poor decision-making" and was impaired by drugs and medical conditions. Here, authorities block a road near the crash site in Maxwell, Texas.

Report Blames Pilot In Deadly Balloon Crash, But Also Points Finger At FAA

6:13pm October 17, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Investigators found the pilot was impaired by medical conditions and drugs including Valium, oxycodone and Benadryl. The FAA doesn't require medical certification for commercial balloon operators.

Actor Harrison Ford listens during a State Dining Room event April 2, 2013 at the White House in Washington, D.C.

National

Harrison Ford May Keep Flying, FAA Investigation Concludes

4:34am April 04, 2017

by Doreen McCallister

After actor Harrison Ford landed his small plane on a taxiway, rather than a runway, at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif., in February, the FAA began looking into the incident.

A Galaxy Note 7 smartphone is on display at the IFA electronics trade fair in Berlin on Sept. 2.

National

Tray Tables Stowed, Seat Backs Upright — And Galaxy Note 7s Off, Please

7:28am September 09, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The Federal Aviation Administration is warning owners of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone not to turn their phones on or charge them during flights — and not to put the devices in checked bags, either.

Drones are flown at a training class in Las Vegas in anticipation of new regulations allowing their commercial use.

National

FAA Expects 600,000 Commercial Drones In The Air Within A Year

5:06pm August 29, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

The soaring number of drones for hire is forecast in response to new federal rules that simplify and streamline the process of getting government approval and certification.

Authorities investigate the site of a hot air balloon accident in Maxwell, Texas, on Saturday. All 16 people aboard the hot air balloon died after it hit tall, high-voltage power lines.

National

Oversight Scrutinized After Deadliest Hot Air Balloon Accident In U.S. History

3:44pm August 02, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

A hot air balloon crash in Texas on Saturday killed all 16 people aboard. The cause is not yet clear, but revelations about the pilot are raising questions about the licensing of balloon operators.

National

What You Should Know Before You Test The Holiday's 'Flyest' Gift

9:07am December 12, 2015

by NPR Staff

Drones are expected to be one of the most popular gifts this holiday season. As rules still play catch-up with the tech, here's a few rules new owners should know before flying their new devices.

Queue Listen Now

The company says its drones will fly no higher than 400 feet from the ground — low enough to avoid other aircraft but high enough to bypass traffic-clogged streets.

National

Amazon Offers New Glimpse Of What Its Drone Delivery Could Look Like

3:09pm November 30, 2015

by Jim Zarroli

The company says its Prime Air service will someday deliver packages up to five pounds in 30 minutes or less using small drones.

National

5 Things To Know: FAA Task Force Recommends A Drone Registry

4:00pm November 23, 2015

by Alina Selyukh

A task force created by the Federal Aviation Administration recommends that people flying drones heavier than a half-pound should register with the government. Here are a few things to know.