Drone Pilot Program Is Over, but New One Taking Its Place, Says DOT Chief

The Department of Transportation's three-year unmanned aircraft systems Integration Pilot Program “successfully concluded” and will be replaced by the new Beyond program, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said Friday. “The IPP propelled the American drone industry forward, allowing for unprecedented expansions in testing and operations through innovative private-public partnerships across the country,” she said: “Now, the BEYOND program will build upon this success, tackling the next big challenges facing drone integration.” The program says its top challenge is rules for beyond visual line of sight operations that are “repeatable, scalable and economically viable with specific emphasis on infrastructure inspection, public operations and small package delivery.”