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For Immediate Release:
NEW B4UFLY APP LETS DRONE PILOTS KNOW WHERE THEY CAN FLY
Hobbyist can learn about areas of restriction and requirement via National Airspace System
Contact:
Manager Washington County James Jenkins 240-313-2384 jajenkins@washco-md.net
Hagerstown, Md. (January 12, 2016) — The Hagerstown Regional Airport encourages drone pilots in the region to explore the latest guidance in drone flight paths and restricted airspace via the B4UFLY app from the Federal Aviation Administration.
For more information on drone registration and details on how to download the app, please review the information from the Federal Aviation Administration, below.
For up-to-date information on HGR events, visit flyhagerstown.com or like HGR on Facebook at Hagerstown Regional Airport. For additional information, contact Public Relations and Community Affairs Manager James Jenkins at 240-313-2384.
FAA Releases B4UFLY Smartphone App
January 6— Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the public release of the B4UFLY mobile application following an initial beta testing period.
B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The app is now available for Apple devices and can be downloaded from the App Store.
The FAA also is releasing a beta version of B4UFLY for Android devices, which can be downloaded from Google.
"We expect B4UFLY will help raise public awareness about what it means to operate unmanned aircraft safely," Huerta said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV. "It is another important part of our education and awareness efforts to foster a culture of safety and accountability for the UAS community."
The B4UFLY app includes a number of enhancements the FAA developed as a result of user feedback during the beta testing announced in May 2015 . Within two taps, users know if it is safe to fly at their current location. The app provides a status indicator that tells users: "Proceed with Caution," "Warning — Action Required," or "Flight Prohibited." The app also features a planner mode that allows users to select a different time and location for an upcoming flight and determine if there are any restrictions at that place and time.
By law, hobbyists who want to fly within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and the air traffic control facility (if there is one) prior to flying. For now, B4UFLY will ask users who are supposed to notify the airport before flying for voluntary information about their planned flight. This will not meet the statutory requirement to notify the airport and air traffic control facility, but the data will help the agency make informed policy decisions related to notification. This information will not be publicly available.
You can find more information on our B4UFLY webpage.
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About Hagerstown Regional Airport
Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR), a financially self-supporting airport complex managed by Washington County, is home to a variety of businesses that provide travel services to the general public and airside services to the general aviation community. The 400-acre facility includes a secured perimeter, an air traffic control tower, state-of-the-art navigational aids, and the second-longest public runway in the State of Maryland. Sun Air Express provides passenger service to Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Allegiant provides passenger service to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Visit flyhagerstown.com for more information.
About Washington County, Maryland Government
Washington County, Maryland Government strives to fulfill its duty to the citizens of Washington County with regard to operational efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to the needs of the community. This vision is used to ably assist the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County in achieving goals for moving the County forward as present needs and future plans are addressed.
According to the Maryland Department of Legislative Services, the Washington County General Fund has one of the lowest costs per capita for services provided of all 23 counties and Baltimore City. This is attributed to the efficiency, staffing levels, and cost containment exhibited in Washington County Government operations. Visit washco-md.net for more information.
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