The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Explosives Risk Managers LLC (ERM) exemption #11481 today allowing ERM to conditionally operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) commercially. In addition, ERM received a blanket Certificate of Waiver Authorization (COA) from FAA. Continue reading
Author Archives: Lon Santis
Filming a Blast with UAS
Recently, ERM obtained a video taken by a hobbyist of a blast in a quarry. The video was taken from the most advantageous perspective and provided valuable feedback to the blast crew.
FAA Issues Another NPRM on Implementation of Small UAS into the National Airspace
The FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) today on various elements of implementing unmanned aircraft (UAS) systems into the National Airspace (NAS). In contrast to an earlier NPRM, this one deals with registration of aircraft, airworthiness certificates and other issues not addressed previously. Kudos to FAA for taking more action to implement commercial use of use in the NAS.
EU States Move to Restrict Access to Precursor Chemicals
The Dutch and Brits have recently taken legislative action to implement laws that restrict public access to precursor chemicals.
UAS Carrying Asparagus Crashes and Burns
Dutch News reported that a asparagus farmer’s publicity stunt went awry when the unmanned aircraft system crashed on a country road and caught fire. Time.com posted a video of the incident. Clearly these are tools, not toys.
The Value of Perspective from a UAS
Explosives Risk Managers LLC recently obtained an image of the top of a highwall taken by a hobbyist unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operator. The image shows an unstable area where topsoil is falling into the pit. Continue reading
FAA Grants 30 Section 333 Exemptions in One Day
In recent days, the FAA has issued Section 333 exemption requests in a batch of about 30. As expected, the FAA is processing Section 333 exemption applications at an accelerated rate as the agency begins to standardize the process.
At this pace, Explosives Risk Managers LLC expects to have its exemption by June, maybe even May. ERM is approximately 170 in line. Please contact ERM if you are interested in compliant UAS services.
ERM Registers First UAS with FAA
Explosives Risk Managers LLC (ERM) has successfully completed FAA registration of its first unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a Phantom 2 Vision+. FAA requires aircraft to be registered as a condition of the Section 333 exemption process.
The registration process has proven to be quite challenging because FAA’s forms are not designed with UAS in mind and frankly, FAA legal document examiners seem to make sport of rejecting applications. No wonder its so hard to steal and aircraft and cover your tracks.
Volume of a Shipping Container
Explosives Risk Managers LLC (ERM) recently obtained some images obtained by a hobbyist using the Pix4D Capture app for smartphones. We processed the images using Pix4D Mapper photogrammetry software and are impressed with the results. Continue reading
Highwall Geologic Discontinuity Inspection with UAS
Snapshot from video of horizontal geologic discontinuity. Notice the vertical discontinuity behind the brown area.
Explosives Risk Managers LLC (ERM) obtained a video taken recently in a quarry by an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) hobbyist. The video is a close-up view of a geologic discontinuity in the pit wall that has shown instability in the past. Continue reading