World Cup Drone TFRs Get DHS Authorization Path, Moab Helicopter Dodges Drone, And AirData Teams Up With LeoSight

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have three stories for you this week. First up, the FAA adds a new DHS authorization path for World Cup NOTAMs. A firefighting helicopter in Utah dodges an unauthorized drone. And AirData UAV and LeoSight are teaming up to bring live drone data to DFR programs. Let’s get to it.

FAA Adds DHS Authorization Path For World Cup Drone NOTAMs

First up this week, the FAA is modifying the FIFA World Cup 2026 drone NOTAMs to add an authorization pathway through the Department of Homeland Security. If you’re flying commercial jobs where these TFRs are, you’re going to want to pay attention to this.

The flight restrictions took effect on June 1 and pretty much immediately started grounding commercial drone operators — and a lot of these people already held valid airspace authorizations. The stadium TFRs are three nautical miles wide and 3,000 feet tall on every match day. Plus, there are one-nautical-mile rings around the base camps in cities, even hundreds of miles away from match sites.

To fix this, the FAA is adding language that allows operations inside the special security instruction airspace with DHS authorization. So, for Part 107 or Part 135 operations, you can now email your request to drones@dhs.gov. You’ll need to include which flight restricted zone you want to fly in, the cities covered, a 24/7 point of contact, and what you’re going to be doing.

The modification to the NOTAMs will start in Texas locations first before rolling out to the rest of the states. If you don’t have permission or are denied, don’t fly. Civil penalties for violating these TFRs can reach $75,000 per violation. And remember, until the amended language actually appears in the specific NOTAM for your area on tfr.faa.gov, the existing restriction still stands. So, please check before you fly.

Firefighting Helicopter Dodges Unauthorized Drone Near Moab

Speaking of TFRs, a firefighting helicopter working a brush fire near Moab, Utah, had to dodge an unauthorized drone over the active fire area. Thankfully, nobody was hurt and nothing collided this time. But the drone’s presence alone created a safety hazard and forced air attack crews to clear the airspace.

This incident comes 17 months after a DJI Mini 3 Pro struck the left wing of a Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper over the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. That sub-250-gram drone punched a 3-inch by 6-inch hole in the leading edge of the wing, grounding the aircraft for five days during what turned out to be a massive emergency. The drone pilot in that case was sentenced to 14 days in federal prison and ordered to pay $156,000 in restitution.

This is your reminder as we get into wildfire season: please don’t be that guy.

AirData UAV And LeoSight Team Up To Bring Live Drone Data To DFR Programs

Last up, LeoSight, a command software platform for public safety, has integrated with AirData UAV. This integration streams real-time drone telemetry, flight data, and operational insights directly into LeoSight’s LeoCommand — which, again, includes more than just drones.

If you aren’t familiar, AirData is a platform that supports logging and live flight streaming. Now, mutual customers of both LeoSight and AirData can stream drone data straight to dispatchers, command staff, and even field personnel all at the same time.

The goal here is moving beyond isolated drone operations and into fully coordinated response across multi-agency events. And from my perspective, I think it’ll be interesting to see if the sharing of this data overwhelms folks who have other responsibilities in the field or if it leads to better in-the-field decision-making.

No post-flight this week — we’ll see you on Monday for the live. Have a good one.

Watch the full weekly UAS news update on the Pilot Institute YouTube channel, and find more of Greg Reverdiau’s drone news coverage here on DroneXL.