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FAA, BNSF partner on use of drones.

5/11/2015

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BNSF was one of three companies that will work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a Pathfinder research partnership initiative to explore the next steps in unmanned aircraft operations.

 

In March, BNSF was granted permission by the FAA to begin patrolling its track with small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The exemption grants BNSF operation of approved aircraft at speeds not to exceed 50 knots. The UAS can only be used to monitor "BNSF owned or controlled railroad infrastructure and operations" and must remain below 400 feet.

FAA cited safety gains in its authorization allowing BNSF use of UAS, writing, "this...may also help to reduce injuries to employees on the ground by allowing for remote aerial review rather that requiring them to climb over or onto track structures in remote areas."

The railroad's recently announced partnership with FAA will "explore the challenges of using these vehicles to inspect [its] rail infrastructure beyond visual line-of-sight in isolated areas."

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta explains the Pathfinder research partnership in a post on the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Fast Lane" blog, "Earlier this year, we took an important step forward by releasing a proposed rule that laid out a flexible framework for the routine use of small unmanned aircraft. It included a number of common sense provisions like not flying near airports, at night, or more than 500 feet off the ground. It also recommended requiring the operator to be able to see the unmanned vehicle at all times --that's our line-of-sight requirement. We received more than 4,000 public comments on the proposal, and we're working to address those before finalizing the rule.

"But this takes time, so we're actively looking for other ways to expand the use of unmanned aircraft in the meantime. We're receiving valuable information from our six national test sites. And we're accommodating requests for some commercial operations, with 250 such requests approved.

"Because the U.S. has the busiest, most complex airspace in the world, the job of integrating unmanned aircraft into our airspace is a big one, and we're determined to get it right. The valuable data we anticipate from the three Pathfinder trials will help us do just that."

In addition to BNSF, CNN and PrecisionHawk make up the trio of companies included in the new partnership with FAA.
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  • Home
    • Local 506 Info >
      • Officer Contacts
      • Update Contact Information
    • The Reports Page
    • Member Toolbox
    • Safety Committee >
      • Safety Concerns & Suggenstions Form
    • UTUIA
  • Crew Consist
  • Claims
    • Claims Information
    • 10th Street off Assigned Limits Violation
    • Assigned Jobs Performing Extra Road Service
    • Board Runaround
    • Called Off Road To Cover Yard When Extra Board is Exhausted (RULE 32K)
    • Claims While Taking Rules Exam
    • Dropped Turns
    • Dogcatch Claims >
      • Automatic Release (Rule 67)
      • Multiple Dogcatch (Rule 31)
    • EOT Handling
    • Extra Dodger Assignment Change
    • Failure to Furlough after 48 Hours
    • HI (Held In) Status
    • Meal on Non-Interdivisional Service (Dogcatching, etc)
    • Road Crews Driving Company Vehicles >
      • Dodger Crews Driving Company Vehicles
    • Road Crew Hostling Power
    • Senior Applicant Extra Board Seniority Restriction
    • Senior Available Applicant to Conductor Extra Board When Vacancies are Filled by Other Means
    • Single Day Requests
    • Step-Ups
    • Temporary Vacancy Not Allowed- Assigned Freight
    • Tied-Up at Intermediate Point
    • Train Exchange
  • New Hire Information
    • New Hire Home Page & Important Info
    • Membership Application
  • Furlough Information
  • News Blog
  • Agreements & Attendance Policy
    • Salina Hub Agreement
    • Expanded Salina hub
    • 1992 CREW CONSIST MODIFICATION
    • AWTS Agreement
    • Vacation Agreement
    • Zone 100 Modification Agreement
  • Union Insurance
    • Disability Insurance Policies
    • DIPP Insurance >
      • Schedule of maximum benefits
      • DIPP summary plan description
      • DIPP Summary of Material Modifications
      • DIPP Program Application
      • DIPP Claim Form
  • Health and Welfare
  • Maps & Yard Procedures
    • Fairfax Job Aid
  • Quick Reference Guides, "How To's", and Common Q&A
    • Vacation Bid Process
  • UTU Political Action and Resources
  • Excess Hours of Service Report
  • Helpful Links