Tag Archives: India

410 Women and Drones Documentary

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A women and drones documentary film, a Chinese submarine that can fly, the “ghost fleet” of unmanned surface vessels, transferring drone technology to India, a portable air traffic management system for wildfires, Ford’s drone patent, and increased mapping speed using multiple drones.

UAV News

Women and Drones Documentary Filming Onsite at Commercial UAV Expo

Women and Drones and Monumental Access are creating a multi-part documentary with stories of women in the drone industry. They hope to inspire the next generation of aviation leaders through interviews with educators, CEOs, and industry professionals. The Commercial UAV Expo runs September 6-8, 2022 in Las Vegas and will be an official filming location for the documentary.

Flying Submarines! China Is Testing ‘Sub Drones’ That Can ‘Fly & Float’; Goes One Up On US Navy’s Submersible Aircraft Concept

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics says they have built and tested a prototype submarine drone that can also fly in the air. Two large wings fold back when it glides underwater and two of the four propellers can tilt. These transmedia vessels are seen by China as a low-cost and effective way to destroy the defense system of an aircraft carrier fleet.

Drones of the Water

The unmanned surface vessels Seahawk, Sea Hunter, Ranger, and Nomad participated in the RIMPAC 2022 training event. Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1) operates this “ghost fleet” that includes the Seahawk, Sea Hunter, Ranger, and Nomad.

Unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aleksandr Freutel)

US offers ToT to build HALE Drones in India

Negotiations are underway between India and the U.S. for 30 Predator (MQ-9) series UAVs. These High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones are valued at almost $3 billion, including spares and ground control stations.

NASA backs drone company that tracks wildfires

Florida-based Improving Aviation has been awarded a grant to develop SkyTL, a portable air traffic management system to combat wildfires and keep emergency services safe. SkyTL would collect atmospheric measurements of the wildfire canopy and predict the fire spread in real-time. The company is partnering with the College of Engineering and the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Ford Patent Filed For Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Sanitation System

The patent describes how a vehicle that needs to be sanitized could send a wireless signal to an aerial sanitizing machine. The sanitizing UAV would land on the vehicle’s roof, open a window, and inserts an “arm” into the vehicle which could hold subbing pads or sanitizer dispensers.

Reveal Technology and Teal Drones Demonstrate Multi-Drone Mapping to US Military

Reveal Technology and Teal Drones have teamed up to enhance Reveal’s mapping software by automatically combining imagery from the drones. Maps and analytics can be created faster using Reveal’s “Farsight” mapping software. This method has been successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Teal’s 4-Ship multi-drone system is designed for the defense, government, and public safety markets. Teal’s Golden Eagle quadcopter drones are mass-produced in the U.S. and meet U.S. Department of Defense guidelines.

Video: Teal Drones Swarm Technology Test Flight

Florida Power & Light launches first drone for commercial use

With a wingspan slightly longer than that of a Cessna, FPLAir One can withstand tropical storm force winds and survey storm damage. FPL can then deploy its resources quickly and effectively.

Mentioned

Tones & Drones

A podcast with conversational style interviews with musicians who work in the realm of ambient, drone, space, and new age music.

389 A Perching Drone

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A perching drone saves battery power, drones that connect communities, considerations for photography drones, Covid vaccination deliveries, secret combat drones, breaking up street racing, Airmap acquires DroneUp, and NOTAMs and drones.

UAV News

Watch this falcon-esque drone perch and carry objects like a bird

Engineers at Stanford University created robotic talons that can be attached to a drone so it can perch and carry objects like a bird. The SNAG (Stereotyped Nature-Inspired Aerial Grasper) has two independently moving legs inspired by the peregrine falcon. The 3D-printed “bones” articulate with motors and fishing lines that act like muscles and tendons.

The legs and claws of the perching drone grasp quickly, in no more than 20 milliseconds. When the SNAG accelerometer detects an impact with the perch, it activates a balancing algorithm and tilts the drone forward, just like a bird does.

Video: Stanford engineers create perching bird-like robot

Drones on Cape Cod: Skyports and MassDOT Partner to Connect Remote Communities

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division has partnered with Skyports to investigate connecting remote Cape Cod communities. The Department wants to provide emergency medical delivery after storms or other natural disasters and everyday services such as healthcare and logistics. Cape Cod is composed of difficult-to-reach islands and peninsulas.

6 Important Things To Consider Before Buying A Drone For Photography

Style of the Drone
Flying Range and Battery Life
Flight Control System and Transmitter
Is Raw or DNG Format Support Necessary?
Camera Quality and Support
Safety Features and Intelligent Functions

India tests drone delivery of COVID-19 vaccine in remote Jammu

Vaccine deliveries in remote regions can be problematic. But in India where the travel time can be two hours by road, a multirotor drone can make the same trip in 20 minutes. India’s CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories has developed the octocopter that can carry a 10-kilogram payload over a range of 20 kilometers.

Two New Secret Drone Programs Could Emerge In The Air Force’s Next Budget Proposal

Development money for two classified unmanned air combat vehicles is planned for the 2023 fiscal budget. The combat drones would be designed to operate alongside the Next-Generation Air Dominance Program (NGAD) and the B-21 bomber, both classified programs. Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia speculates this could be Skyborg – the loyal wingman program. See also, 2 new secret combat drones are in the works, Air Force secretary says.

Drones used to make street racing bust in South Fulton

Street racing has been a problem in South Fulton, Georgia. Now the City of South Fulton Police Department is using drones to watch for street racing, document the activity, and capture images of license plates and the individuals involved. So far 33 people have been charged and four vehicles confiscated.

DroneUp Acquires Airmap: Another Move Towards Drone Ops on a Very, Very Big Scale

DroneUp is a drone services provider with a trained pilot network, proprietary software, and a relationship with Walmart that includes a financial investment and a drone delivery operation. AirMap has an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) service which supports as many as 100,000 flights per day. Together, the companies can scale up operations and position for future BVLOS flights.

Name change signifies a bigger mission for NOTAMs

The meaning of the acronym NOTAM has changed from “Notice to Airmen” to the gender-neutral “Notice to Air Missions.” The new acronym now easily applies to the un-crewed flights of free balloons and drones.

UAV Video of the Week

Video: Beautiful drone footage of tree-lined NY roads and geometric fields | SWNS

This beautiful aerial footage takes you above a winding country road and geometric fields under the setting autumn sun. From the UK journalism team at SWNS.

382 Terrafugia Commaris UAV

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A flying car company offers the Commaris VTOL UAV for commercial operations, hazmat responders using drones, QF-16 target drones, endangered porpoises spotted from the air, the US Navy repels drones, AT&T COWs provide cell coverage, new drone rules in India.

Commaris Seeker UAV. — Commaris Seeker eVTOL.

UAV News

Terrafugia Inc. Launches New Brand and Commercial UAV

Terrafugia Inc. announced the launch of the new Commaris™ brand, along with the brand’s first product – the Seeker™. This electric, fixed-wing/VTOL aircraft is designed for autonomous commercial aerial applications. Commaris planned to debut the Seeker at the Commercial UAV Expo held in Las Vegas September 7-9, 2021. Terrafugia has been developing the Transition® Roadable Aircraft since 2006. The Seeker features a three-hour flight time, a top speed over 60 MPH, and a 15-foot wingspan. Multiple payload configurations are possible up to 10 pounds.

Rise of a Drone Program

According to the author, the drone is “One of the most significant advances in resources for hazmat response.” Drones allow safe monitoring on-scene, but equipment costs can be high. In response, multiple agencies can work together and private organizations can be a source of funds.

QF-16 drones provide live fire, joint training

A U.S. Air Force QF-16 drone is an F-16 assigned to the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron and used for training purposes. Up to four QF-16s can be remotely controlled by a single pilot and the QF-16’s can perform maneuvers that simulate an adversary fighter.

Endangered finless porpoises spotted off coast of Taean

The Korea National Park Service released footage of four endangered finless porpoises mating in the sea. The footage was shot using a “helikite” – an unmanned aerial camera drone-like device used to observe marine animals.

Navy Arming Surface Ships with Drone Repellent System

It’s called DRAKE (the Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare system) which was originally built by Northrop Grumman and used on Humvees during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now it protects Navy vessels from curious eyes by jamming the drone’s signal.

AT&T COW drones restoring phone service cut by Ida’s extreme weather

AT&T’s COW drones (“Cell-On-Wings”) provide LTE coverage over a 40-mile range. They are tethered, hover at 300 feet, and can endure severe weather – winds up to 50 MPH, heavy rain, and hot and cold temperatures. These are effective at providing cell coverage to areas hit by natural disasters. The tethers have a fiber-optic cable for transmitting data to a solar-powered ground station and to provide power to the drone.

Video: When COWs Fly | Watch AT&T’s Cell on Wings (COW) in Action | AT&T

Nano drones may soon be allowed on domestic flights

Drone restrictions in India are relaxing but you still can’t take a drone with you on a domestic flight. This affects people taking vacations who want to bring a drone to capture videos. However, now a remote pilot license is not required for nano and micro drones used for non-commercial or personal use. Also, model aircraft and nano drones do not require a certificate. An airspace map for unmanned aircraft system operations is being planned by the government.

349 Solar-Powered Drone LTE

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Loon and HAPSMobile test LTE from a solar-powered drone, India tests a MALE prototype, and China tests a weaponized drone swarm. Also, very small sensors dropped from very small drones, FAA submits two proposed final drone rules, a Colorado drone club builds a drone park, and a virtual drone summit.

UAV News

Alphabet and SoftBank’s solar-powered drone provides first LTE connection

Google parent company Alphabet and SoftBank demonstrated a stable LTE connection from the solar-powered Sunglider drone at 62,000 feet. The connection supported an international video call with members from Loon and AeroVironment speaking with HAPSMobile members based in Japan. Alphabet’s Loon jointly developed the communications payload, and SoftBank’s HAPSMobile, which built the aircraft. HAPSMobile is minority-owned by AeroVironment.

Video: Sunglider’s Test Flight in the Stratosphere

https://youtu.be/9G_h_fDyYAk

India’s Rustom-2 Completes 8-Hour Flight Test

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) recently flight-tested the Rustom-2 MALE prototype drone. It flew for eight hours of flying at 16,000 feet and by the end of 2020, DRDO expects the prototype to fly at 26,000 feet with an 18-hour endurance.

China Conducts Test Of Massive Suicide Drone Swarm Launched From A Box On A Truck

Reportedly, the China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology (CAEIT) conducted a test in September with a swarm of loitering munitions (also called suicide drones). They were deployed from 48 tubular launchers mounted on a light tactical vehicle, and also deployed from helicopters. The folded fixed-wing drones launch from the tubes.

Video: 中国电科陆空协同固定翼无人机“蜂群”系统 (China Electric Land and Air Cooperative Fixed-wing UAV “Swarm” System)

Airdropping sensors from moths: Researchers use flying insects to drop sensors from air, land them safely on the ground

University of Washington researchers wanted to solve the problem of inserting sensors into locations that are unsafe or too small for humans. So they developed a 98 milligram sensor system that can be carried by a tiny drone, or even an insect, like a moth. When the carrier gets above the destination, a Bluetooth command causes the sensor to release and fall to the ground. The sensor can survive a fall of up to 72 feet (or 22 meters) and collect data for 1.3-2.5 years when transmitting 10-50 packets per hour on a 68 milligram battery.

University of Washington: Airdropping sensor networks from drones and insects

Video: Dropping Sensors From Live Moths

Drone rules on final approach

FAA has submitted two proposed regulations to the Office of Management and Budget: Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Operations of Small Unmanned Aircraft Over People. OMB has 90 days to review these final regulations.

Shovels break ground at Drone Flying Park

The Buena Vista Drone Flying Park in Colorado is taking shape. The Central Colorado UAS Club and the Buena Vista Recreation Department broke ground for the Park on October 8, 2020. The purpose of the Club is to bring together UAS owners, pilots, and interested parties in an informal and social atmosphere where they exchange ideas and learn about the safe, legal, and ethical operation of UAS. When the Drone Park is complete, the area will have space for pilots to seek certification for the use of drones, an obstacle course, and a racecourse that might host sanctioned races in the future. TNL Aviation is a founding sponsor.

Mentioned

UAS Magazine announced the 14th annual UAS Summit & Expo, will be 100% virtual and has been moved to October 28-29, 2020.

337 Hacking Drones

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Hacking drones as a target and as a weapon, military drone flight over San Diego, a State-by-State drone report card, a milestone in India for civilian drones, the EHang 216 goes sightseeing, and those drone sightings in the U.S. midwest, revisited.

UAV News

Drones Aren’t Just Hackers’ Targets – They’re Hackers’ Weapons

A 96-page report titled How to Analyze the Cyber Threat from Drones [PDF] has been published by the Rand Corporation. The report summarizes 26 specific instances of hacking drones. The most common cyberattacks reviewed were denial of service and spoofing attacks against an active drone. The Rand Corporation recommends:

DHS must continue to work with senior policymakers, cybersecurity experts, and other government and law enforcement agencies to move towards a coherent UAS cyber strategy.
DHS should also prioritize the most critical vulnerabilities and find ways to close attack vectors and protect attack surfaces.
DHS will need to monitor UAS adoption and anticipate the implications of widespread UAS diffusion.

Secret General Atomics Drone Flights Over San Diego Raise Surveillance Concerns

The press reported that a new version of the Predator drone (the SkyGuardian) would be flying over San Diego. The General Atomics SkyGuardian has an advanced detect-and-avoid system with a Due Regard Radar to detect other aircraft, TCAS (Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System) for detecting nearby aircraft transponders, and ADSB (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) which broadcasts the drone’s location.

Which States Are Prepared for the Drone Industry?

The authors argue that states should take the lead by creating drone highways that mirror the paths of the public roads beneath them. The “Fifty-State Report Card” ranks states on their readiness to get new drone technology into the skies. The ranking considers airspace lease law, law vesting air rights with landowners, and navigation easement law, as well as having an aviation advisory committee and the estimate for drone jobs. North Dakota ranks #1 and #50 falls to South Carolina. This is from the Mercatus Center, associated with George Mason University.

India’s First NPNT Compliant Drone Flight Successfully Completed

India’s first No-Permission No-Takeoff (NPNT) compliant drone flight was successfully completed. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation banned civilian use of UAVs in 2014, but in 2018, a new policy became effective. UAVs had to comply with stringent manufacturing standards and also be compliant with the new No-Permission No-Takeoff (NPNT) architecture requiring a Unique Identification Number (UIN), an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit (UAOP), online permission for every flight, and compliance workflow through a fully digital “Digital Sky” portal. This Digital Sky platform was demonstrated with an A200 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)

EHang 216 Sightseeing Flights

EHang released a video showing an EHang 216 autonomous aerial vehicle (AAV) conducting aerial sightseeing trial flights in Yantai, a coastal city in East China. Passengers flew around Yantai’s Fisherman’s Wharf in trials that are part of a “world flight tour.” EHang founder and CEO said, “As the world’s first provider of passenger-grade AAVs, we are honored to prove this game-changing air mobility solution by demonstrating flights to regulators, customers, partners and the general public. The positive support and feedback have strengthened our determination in our quest to bring this new style of mobility to the people.”

Video: Self-flying EHang 216 Showcases Aerial Sightseeing Trips Over the Sea in East China

Newly Released FAA Documents Give Unprecedented Look Into Colorado Drone Swarm Mystery

In December 2019 and January 2020, law enforcement agencies reported seeing drones flying at night in formations in parts of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. The sightings made national news, but we never got a really good idea what (or who) was behind this. Now a volunteer researcher with the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain hundreds of pages of emails and other documents from the FAA and other federal agencies. Hundreds of other documents are still being processed by the FAA and some documents are being withheld by the FAA. The agency says they are exempt from FOIA.

Kespry Appoints Krishnan Hariharan as Vice President of Engineering

Kespry announced the appointment of Krishnan Hariharan as Vice-President of Engineering overseeing Kespry’s Aerial Intelligence platform development and evolution. Hariharan was Vice-President, Engineering and Product Management for PrecisionHawk. Before that, he held a number of leadership roles at SAVO, Sabre, and OpenText. He also founded River North Labs, a technology consulting company.

263 Civil Drone Regulations for India

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India releases civil drone regulations, detect and avoid testing begins in Kansas, the future of recreational drone flights, unmanned industry consolidation trends, an over 55-pound UAV approved, and a Chinese HALE drone.

UAV News

India’s First Step Towards Regulating Drones

The Director General Civil Aviation’s (DGCA’s) Civilian Aviation Requirements (CAR) for Unmanned Aircraft System, was released August 27, 2018. The CAR takes effect December 1, 2018. Requirements include using the Digital Sky Platform on the DGCA’s website for administrative and procedural control of drones, registration numbers, and filing of flight plans.

Tests for UAS Integration Pilot Program begin – Iris Automation

The Kansas Department of Transportation is in the testing phase of the Integration Pilot Program, with a focus on new detect and avoid capabilities for drones. Iris Automation will test fly its computer vision and artificial intelligence technology for collision avoidance against a manned aircraft.

Video: Airborne Drone Collision Avoidance Field Trial – Iris Automation

https://youtu.be/d4oM7n4mb00

The dark future of civilian drone operation

Justin Oakes from Droneworks Studios flies commercially but asks if measures under the recent FAA reauthorization will cause an end to recreational drone flying.

Video: Drone Pilots are FINISHED (New FAA Laws)

https://youtu.be/kAIeVTi6TDs

After Airware’s Demise, Consolidation Looms For The Commercial Drone Industry

Director of Corporate Analysis at Teal Group Philip Finnegan looks at the reasons we’ll continue to see consolidation in the drone industry.

FAA Approves HSE Over 55 lb Crop Sprayer Drone for Commercial Use!

UAV company Homeland Surveillance & Electronics, LLC (HSE) and aviation consulting firm UASolutions Group, Inc. were granted approval from the FAA for the AG-V6A+ multirotor UAS for Commercial Operations over 55 lbs. The AG-V6A+ is fully autonomous and designed for precision spraying.

A huge solar-powered drone that can supposedly stay in the air for months at a time has taken flight in China

China has a solar-powered high-altitude, long-endurance drone. Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has flown the Morning Star UAV. The 20-meter (66-foot) wingspan drone flew at an altitude of more than 20,000 meters (66,000 feet).

UAV Videos of the Week

This is Fall Foliage in Groton Vermont – October 8th – Green Mountain Drone

Utah Fall Colors at Snowbasin by Drone

UAV258 Boeing MQ-25 Stingray

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U.S. Navy selects the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, Boeing conducts synchronized drone flights in Australia, an IBM drone delivery patent, an FAA Drone Integration Pilot Program update, a new Cape May County drone facility, flying drones in India, and drones and law enforcement.

Boeing MQ-25 Stingray. Courtesy Boeing.

UAV News

Navy Picks Boeing to Build MQ-25A Stingray Carrier-Based Drone

Boeing has won the $805 million contract for four MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tankers. The company will design, develop, fabricate, test, deliver, and support the aircraft. First flight is planned for 2021 with initial operational capability on carrier decks in 2024. An eventual fleet of 72 Stingrays is planned, at a total program cost of around $13 billion.

Boeing Completes Synchronised UAV Flight Tests in Australia

Boeing completed autonomous air missions with five UAV test beds. Only six months ago, Boeing established a large autonomous systems development program in Queensland in partnership with small and medium-sized companies, issuing AU$2.3 million in contracts with 14 Queensland businesses. Boeing has partnered with the Queensland Government under the Advance Queensland Autonomous Systems Platform Technology Project.

Coffee delivery drone patented by IBM

The patent contemplates a drone that detects the “cognitive state” of office workers to determine when they need coffee. The drone could then lower cups of coffee on an “unspooling string,” or deliver hot coffee in a sealed bag, or even dispense coffee directly into the worker’s cup.

Uncontacted Amazon tribe are revealed for the first time in stunning drone footage filmed by researchers – who then left them to their isolation

A previously unknown and uncontacted indigenous Brazilian tribe was captured in a drone video. The images come from a three-week expedition in 2017 but were just released. The expedition was responding to reports of illegal hunters threatening tribes.

Feds, NCDOT launch drone pilot over WakeMed

First in flight: Drone delivery lands on the roof of WakeMed in Raleigh

Under the FAA’s Drone Integration Pilot Program (IPP), Matternet and WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina are flying a drone to collect data on flying in urban environments. The Matternet drone flew autonomously on a pre-programmed route over people carrying vials of water (standing in for blood) and other medical samples.

Cape May County awarded $3M federal grant to build drone facility

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Cape May County was awarded a $3 million grant to build a 20,000-square-foot multi-tenant drone facility. Officials believe this will create 130 jobs and generate $1.9 million in private investments. Each tenant will get a 5,000 square-feet space for offices and manufacturing. No word on project start date or completion date.

Flying drones to be legal in India from December 1

Civilian use of drones in India are currently restricted by the Directorate General of Civilian Aviation, but now the Ministry of Civil Aviation has finalized a national drone policy. “No Drone Zones” are defined around airports, near the international border, certain government buildings, strategic locations, military installations, and other locations. Registration is required for owners and pilots, and permission is required for each flight through an app that provides instant digital permits. Any drone without a digital permit to fly will not be able to take off.

5 ways LE can prepare for a drone attack

PoliceOne offers advice for law enforcement: know who can fly what and where, learn the difference between hobbyist and commercial drone operations, establish protocol for drones, get UAS and counter-UAS training, and treat counter-UAS like every other threat law enforcement faces.

Denver Police Department Shelves Drone Program Amid Public Concerns

The Denver Police Department recently bought a drone to photograph crime scenes and collect potential evidence. But public concern over invasion of privacy and civil liberty issues and caused the Denver police program to abandon the program for now. Recently, Fairfax County in Virginia delayed its drone program over citizen worries.

UAV217 CNN Newsgathering Drone

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CNN gets a waiver for a newsgathering drone, DJI offers an electronic license plate for drones and will quiz pilots before first flight, more on the Drone Integration Pilot Program, and drone regulations in India.

The Snap newsgathering drone. Courtesy Vantage Robotics.

UAV News

CNN gets a first-of-its-kind waiver to fly drones over crowds

CNN received a Part 107 waiver from the FAA to fly the Vantage Robotics Snap over people as a newsgathering drone at altitudes of up to 150 feet AGL. The FAA accepted CNN’s “Reasonableness Approach” that considered the potential results of a crashed drone, the safe operating history of CNN, CNN’s safety procedures, and the features of the drone itself.

The 500-gram Snap shoots 4K video, streams 720p video, has a micro-gimbal, and has electronic image stabilization. The drone is frangible with enclosed rotors made of deformable material.

CNN and Vantage worked on the program for over two years. CNN was represented by Lisa Ellman and Matt Clark of Hogan Lovells in the waiver application process.

DJI Requires Knowledge Quiz for First-Time Drone Pilots

Before first flight, DJI pilots will be presented with nine questions by the GO 4 flight app. Nine correct answers are required but they cycle so if you get some wrong, you keep trying until you get nine right. This knowledge quiz was developed in collaboration with the FAA and will initially launch in the US. Other countries will come later.

DJI Demonstrates AeroScope: Drone License Plate Technology

An AeroScope receiver can monitor transmissions between the drone and the controller. That includes data such as location, altitude, speed, direction, takeoff location, operator location, and an identifier such as a registration or serial number. Used around sensitive areas to identify rogue drones, AeroScope been called an “electronic license plate for drones.”

FAA Drone Integration Pilot Program (2017)

Rupprecht Law provides a good summary of the Drone Integration Pilot Program we talked about in episode 216. Rupprecht offers some pros and cons of the Program as well as some questions that remain unanswered.This is intended to be a living document from Rupprecht as program aspects become clear.

White House Unveils New Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program

Ten things you should know about the new UAS Integration Pilot Program.

UAS Integration Pilot Program

The FAA published a webpage with these sections: Learn About the Program, How to Apply, and Help & Resources. In addition, a UAS Integration Pilot Program Webinar will be held to “…provide you with an overview of the UAS Integration Pilot Program, the application process, and specific criteria and deadlines that are required in order to be accepted into the program.”

Draft regulations on drone usage announced: 5 categories, prior permissions required

Civil aviation ministry to make flying drones in India legal; framework to be finalised by 31 December

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced draft regulations for India. A one-month comment period will precede the finalized rules. Five drones categories are established based on maximum take-off weight: nano (up to 250 gm), micro (251 gm to 2 kg), mini (2 kg to 25 kg), small (25 kg to 150 kg), and large (over 150 kg).

No registration is required for nano drones. Micro drones and up require registration with a Unique Identification Number. Mini drones and up require training and an Unmanned Aircraft Operator Permit. A different approval is required for each operation of the drone. Certain no-fly zones are established.

UAV Video of the Week

Introducing Vantage Robotics’ Snap. The first safe portable flying camera.

UAV166 DJI Mavik Hands-On Review

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A review of the new DJI Mavik folding quadcopter, Verizon drone tests continue, India looks at ATC towers and civil UAS, drones for flood control, and drones for flood rescue.

Guest

Formation flight (top to bottom): DJI Matrice 600, Inspire 1 Pro, Phantom 4, Mavik Pro. Photo by Brandon Remler.

Parker Gyokeres got his hands on the new DJI Mavik and gives us his observations after flying the quadcopter.

Parker notes that the price, performance, features, light weight, and ultra-compact size makes the Mavik an ideal “gateway drug” to flying drones. The small size, when folded, makes it easy to take with you, and the fast setup time makes it more likely that you’ll actually fly the quadcopter and shoot video.

Parker is the owner of Propellerheads Aerial Photography, LLC, an FAA Part 107 licensed business providing aerial photography and medium/heavy lift cinematography, thermal imaging, NDVI multispectral and 3F photogrammetry.

News

Verizon Forges Ahead with New LTE Drone Project

Verizon Communications wants to outfit drones with 4G LTE and use its ThingSpace IoT platform for industrial surveillance missions and other applications. This is part of their Airborne LTE Operations (ALO) initiative which has been testing since 2014. Verizon brought in American Aerospace Technologies Inc. (AATI) in a test to connect a 17-foot wingspan UAS and their 4G LTE network.

India sets up ATC towers upgradation committee for UAVs

The Indian government has created a government/civil committee to determine infrastructure and technical requirements for air traffic control towers. In the past year, India experienced five near-miss incidents involving commercial aircraft. At least 40 ATC towers need upgrades to mitigate safety and security risks. The Indian government is still working on rules that would allow civil use of UAVs.

How Drones Can Save the Flood Control District Thousands of Headaches

County Flood Control District workers and contractors in Texas currently have to monitor hundreds of miles of bayous and channels, as well as tens of thousands of acres of detention basins. By using drones, they could significantly reduce their inspection costs. So far, in a limited trial with Austin, Texas company HUVR, they’re using a drone to check up on mowing done by contractors.

Video of the Week

Drone, social media make flood rescue happen in real time

Chris Williams and his dog were trapped for 14 hours in their attic. He texted his parents, and they told his brother 1,300 miles away in Texas, who tried but couldn’t get through to authorities.

Meanwhile, Quavas Hart sent his drone out and posted some photos of the flooded area on Instagram, which the brother of the trapped man saw. As a joke, he sent the photo to his brother saying, “at least you’re not this guy.”

Except, that he was that guy. The brother was eventually able to tweet Hart, the drone operator, who “used his drone to attract the attention of a FEMA search-and-rescue boat crew in the neighborhood.” They then rescued the trapped man. “The entire operation was captured by the camera on Hart’s drone.”

UAV090 Dee Jay Eye

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The X47B demonstrates autonomous refueling, 3D Robotics releases the Solo, India weaponizes small drones for crowd control, opinions on how the FAA can do a better job, and Auburn University plans to provide UAS pilot training.

News

X-47B Demonstrates Unmanned Aerial Refueling For The First Time

The Navy’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle has successfully demonstrated autonomous aerial refueling, plugging into the aerial refueling basket behind a KC-707 tanker.

3D Robotics takes on DJI with Solo ‘smart drone’

The 3D Robotics Solo may be the smartest drone ever

3D Robotics released the Solo ready to fly quadcopter. They call it “The Smart Drone” and it includes an onboard 1GHz computer in addition to the Pixhawk 2 flight controller. It has full access to the GoPro camera (not included) and can stream live video. Price is US$1,000, or US$1,400 including a GoPro gimbal mount.

Security from the sky: Indian city to use pepper-spray drones for crowd control

The Senior Superintendent of police in the northern India city of Lucknow says they’ll use small drones with pepper spray to control mobs and unruly crowds. The drones they are using cost between $9,560 and $19,300, and will be fitted with a camera and pepper spray. Lucknow police have already used camera-equipped drones to monitor crowds at a recent religious festival.

FAA Speeds Up Small Drone Exemptions. But Why Not Just Issue Blanket Exemption?

This opinion piece argues that rather than issue exemptions one-by-one for sUAS operations, the FAA should issue a blanket exemption.

Auburn University receives nation’s first FAA authorization to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School

Auburn University says it has received FAA approval for a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight School as part of its Aviation Center. Bill Hutto, director of the Auburn University Aviation Center said, “We will conduct commercial flight training for operators of unmanned aircraft systems outdoors and untethered. We will have the ability to offer training courses at different locations here and around the state for Auburn students, faculty, members of other public agencies and the general public.”

FAA permits Amazon to test new UAV model

Amazon had complained that the UAS approved by the FAA in March was already obsolete, due to the length of time it took to get the COA. Amazon has now received a letter from the FAA granting operation of “the Amazon-manufactured multirotor small UAS that has been described to the FAA in a confidential filing.”

33 UAV Experts Reveal Favorite Drone Accessory

UAV Coach asked 33 experts, “If you could only choose one drone accessory, which one would you choose and why?” The site, which seeks to help people fly their quadcopters, “wanted to discover what some of the top industry professionals, drone bloggers, news sites, companies, and pilots would use to enhance their flights if they only had one option.” The group of experts includes past guests Tim Trott and Parker Gyokeres. Oh, and also our own David Vanderhoof.

Video of the Week

Dragonfly – Vanuatu Disaster Relief 2015

This very interesting video documents the relief provided by the 240 foot super motor yacht “Dragonfly” after Tropical Cyclone Pam pummeled the islands of Vanuatu. Much of the video was shot with a quadcopter, and it very clearly illustrates the complete destruction of the island.

Mentioned

DJI Developer

DJI has a developer program and SDK which supports the Phantom 2 Vision and Phantom 2 Vision+. Support for the Phantom 3 and Inspire 1 is coming soon. iOS and Android operating systems are supported now, with Windows Phone support coming soon.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams take you back again to a galaxy far, far away as Star Wars returns to the big screen with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”