Tag Archives: precision agriculture

309 X-Wing Drones

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Disney is reportedly testing X-Wing drones for its Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge promotion. Also, counter UAS technology tested at Dover AF Base, drones that help manage weed infestations, using a UAV to safely sample water in a volcano crater, and a large fine for landing a quadcopter at an airport.

UAV News

Disney Testing X-Wing Drones to Fly Over Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Reportedly, Disney is testing large X-Wing drones to fly over Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Blog Mickey has aerial spy photos to support the speculation, and they received a grainy photo of one of the X-Wing drones. They say Disney has been working on the secret project from a temporary tent in the cast member parking lot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Dover AFB partners with Delaware CAP for counter UAS testing

A UAS is an obvious potential threat to military installations, and U.S. military forces are training and equipping to counter the threat. At a Dover Operational Readiness for a Multi-domain Agile Response Exercise this month, the 436th Airlift Wing tested its C-UAS counter unmanned aerial system capabilities. The Delaware Civil Air Patrol provided commercial drones for the test, as well as trained and certified pilots.

Drone Tech Takes Weed Control on the Farm to a New Level

This article discusses agricultural drone applications, including weed identification and mapping, the aerial application of herbicides, and UAVs for aquatic weed management.

Volcano Watch: Pondering the pond — what Halema‘uma‘u water chemistry tells us

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) used a multi-rotor to take a sample from a water lake in a collapsed crater. The water has been rising a meter a week since July and the water’s chemistry can tell scientists a lot about what is going on underground.

Video: Fissure 8 view from UAS provides critical geologic information

Drone pilot fined $20,000 after fly-away DJI Phantom 3 lands at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas

After a drone landed right next to an active runway at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, the pilot was fined $14,700 by the FAA. When the man failed to pay the fine, or appeal the fine, it increased to $20,000. The FAA had to expend some effort to identify the pilot because the drone registration number was invalid.

300 It’s Called a Drone

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The Commercial Drone Alliance wants to see regulations for large drones, sUAS are vulnerable to impacts, using AI-enabled drones to identify specific individuals (human and otherwise), drones donated to universities for precision ag, and BVLOS for the UAS Integration Pilot Program.

UAV News

DON’T SAY ‘DRONES,’ Beg Drone Makers

This is the first story we covered, from Episode #1.

Commercial Drone Alliance calls for focus on large UAS in letter to new FAA administrator

The Commercial Drone Alliance sent a letter to the new U.S. chief technology officer and to the new FAA Administrator. The letter notes that the FAA has mostly focused on sUAS and the Alliance wants to see regulators look at large UAS. Lisa Ellman, executive director of the Commercial Drone Alliance and partner at Hogan Lovells, said: “The Commercial Drone Alliance looks forward to working with newly sworn-in FAA Administrator Stephen Dickson and recently confirmed U.S. CTO Michael Kratsios to develop common sense and business-friendly regulations for large UAS.”

Lessons for drone defense from a tennis ball

XKCD cartoonist Randall Munroe asked Serena Williams to try and take out a DJI Mavic Pro 2 with a tennis ball. She did. On her third serve, Serena nailed the quadcopter. Consumer drones are not very hardened against impact.

Little Ripper deploys croc-spotting AI drones

In Episode 287 we talked about Little Ripper drones being used in New South Wales and Queensland to spot sharks. Now the same drone technology is being used to spot crocodiles in Queensland.

Drones that recognize you? Amazon has a patent for that.

This article describes two patents granted to Amazon.com: One includes launching unmanned aircraft from freight cars and the other utilizes one or more drones to locate the delivery customer.

In other package delivery news:

Video: Bell Autonomous Pod Transport 70 Achieves First Autonomous Flight

AeroVironment Donates 87 Quantix Drones and AV DSS Ecosystems to 35 U.S. University Agriculture Departments to Advance Drones in Farming

The AeroVironment 2019 Quantix and AV DSS University Collaboration Project seeks to advance academic research, applications, and crop production practices through the use of UAS and advanced data analytics.

Video: The Next Generation of Quantix & AV DSS

https://youtu.be/_Qpxhokc2Ok

Drones on the farm: Using facial recognition to keep cows healthy

An automated drone system that can monitor the health of cattle in the pasture is being developed by a team of professors and student researchers in the UK. Testing is being conducted with 3DR Solo drones modified with a Raspberry Pi. The autonomous drones could identify each animal, determine its location, and measure health information like weight, size, facial features, and physical activity.

FAA OKs Airbus Aerial UAS Operations in North Dakota

The FAA authorized Airbus Aerial to operate UAS at the Grand Forks, North Dakota, test site under the UAS Integration Pilot Program. Airbus Aerial will use a SenseFly eBee drone to survey power distribution lines, BVLOS. Press release: Airbus Aerial Receives Waiver for Urban BVLOS UAS Flight Operations Over Populated Areas in North Dakota.

GA-ASI Receives FAA No-Chase COA for Unmanned Flights in North Dakota

The FAA also granted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for BVLOS. They will use a Ground-based Sense and Avoid (GBSAA) system that incorporates the Grand Forks Air Force Base Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and the L3Harris Technologies VueStation and RangeVue systems. These meet the “see and avoid” requirements over large airspace.

Videos of the Week

Video of man fishing while dangling from drone under investigation by CASA

The man posted a video on social media showing him fishing, drinking beer, and even catching a fish. Now the Civil Aviation Safety Authority is investigating.

Your new best travel buddy is this autonomous suitcase that’s always by your side

“Self-driving technology allows the Ovis Suitcase to follow alongside its owner, while computer vision tech lets it see and avoid obstacles.” Ovis is equipped with GPS location tracker, smart alarm, embedded weight sensor, TSA-approved digital lock and removable airline-compliant LiPo battery that doubles as a charging station.

Video: Introducing Ovis by FowardX, the World’s First Vision-Powered Side-Follow Suitcase

273 Drone Sightings at the Airport, or Maybe Not

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Flights at another major airport were halted due to drone reports, but some experts question the accuracy of the reports. Also, Boeing and Airbus advance their urban air mobility projects, multispectral camera-equipped drones and crop health, a drone that launches and lands like a bird, Facebook and it’s drone project, U-Space for harmonized UTM, and a bladeless drone.

UAV News

Newark Airport Traffic Is Briefly Halted After Drone Is Spotted

Newark drones: Flights suspended at major US travel hub after multiple sightings of unmanned aircraft

Did a pair of drones interfere with flights at Newark Airport, or was it something else?

Flights at Newark Liberty International Airport were suspended for a time due to drone activity in the area. One pilot told air traffic controllers that a drone passed within 30 feet of his plane. Were the sightings really drones? Some experts are dubious.

‪DJI Urges Caution In Evaluating Reports Of Drone Incidents

DJI says they are “monitoring recent reports of drones flying in close proximity to various airports, and has offered assistance to investigators and airports where these sightings have occurred. To date, none of these reports have been confirmed, and there is no proof that any of these alleged incidents occurred. Despite the lack of evidence, new sightings have been reported at more airports, raising the prospect that new reports are being spurred by publicity from past incidents.”

UAV-based Remote Sensing Can Help Avocado Growers by Detecting Asymptomatic Pathogen

University of Florida scientists published research that says multispectral cameras can detect laurel wilt on avocado trees. An otherwise “time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly” traditional process could be replaced with an unmanned aerial vehicle.

Delivery Drones Use Bird-Inspired Legs to Jump Into the Air

Passerine Aircraft Corporation has a fixed-wing drone that can take off (and land) using a pair of legs. It’s VTOL without the rotors. The drone also utilizes a “blown wing’ to generate more lift than would otherwise be the case.

The Passerine Aircraft Corporation Sparrow — A computer rendering of Sparrow. Courtesy *Passerine Aircraft Corporation* .

Videos: Sparrow Jumper — March 2018 Showcase and Early onboard flight footage from the Sparrow test flights.

Facebook hasn’t given up on the idea of building an internet drone

According to the German publication, NetzPolitik in Facebook and Airbus hold secretive drone tests in the Australian bush, Facebook is proceeding with a drone program in conjunction with Airbus. NetzPolitik published a document [PDF] they say supports the claim. The document is dated March 14, 2018, and was obtained from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Australian Freedom of Information Act.

Concept of Operations for safe European drone traffic: registration for workshop now open

CORUS (Concept of Operations European UTM Systems) has a concept for a European system for drone management called U-Space. Aviation stakeholders are being brought together to develop a concept of operations for U-Space in a workshop 2-5 April 2019 in Italy. Click for more information.

Boeing Autonomous Passenger Air Vehicle Completes First Flight

The first flight of the Boeing NeXT passenger air vehicle (PAV) prototype has taken place. Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences designed and developed the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Boeing NeXt leads the company’s urban air mobility efforts for on-demand autonomous air transportation.

Boeing NeXT passenger air vehicle prototype. Courtesy Boeing.

Besides the PAV, the Boeing NeXt portfolio includes an unmanned fully electric cargo air vehicle (CAV) designed to transport up to 500 pounds (226.80 kilograms) and other urban, regional and global mobility platforms.

Airbus’s Flying Taxi Is Poised for Takeoff Within Weeks

The prototype flying taxi is called CityAirbus. The four-seat model for urban environments is undergoing tests at the Airbus helicopter plant in Germany. Initial flights are planned to be unmanned, with an entry into service for the autonomous vehicle planned as early as 2023.

Video of the Week

Bladeless Drone: First Flight

UAV257 Solar-Powered Quadcopter

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A solar-powered quadcopter, a drone assisting in the study of whales, using drones to fight cocaine, capturing intruder drones, improving crop yields with a drone service, and a quadcopter with legs.

A solar powered quadcopter from National University of Singapore.

A solar-powered quadcopter. (From the left.) Mr Yeo, Mr Goh, Assoc Prof Danner, Mr Kuan and Mr Teo. Courtesy National University of Singapore.

UAV News

Asia’s first fully solar-powered drone lifts off

This prototype solar-powered quadcopter was developed by the engineering students at the National University of Singapore. It uses 148 silicon solar cells on a four square meter carbon fiber frame. The prototype weighs and can be controlled by remote or fly autonomously.

100% solar-powered quadcopter drone

The Scientists Who Study Whale ‘Defecation Events’

Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute is studying whale feces because analysis allows them “to document the reproductive and stress hormone variation of gray whales.” When a gray whale defecates, the result is a brown plume in the water. It dissipates fast and there isn’t much time to collect a sample. The researchers are using drones to follow the whale while they watch for the plume. A small chase boat then arrives to collect the sample.

Gray whale defecation event

Columbia is now using an army of drones to poison cocaine crops

The Colombian government is testing ten drones that spray herbicide to kill crops. Loaded, the drones weigh about 50 pounds. The herbicide application is more precise than spraying from an airplane and less expensive.

The DroneHunter knocks killer drones out of the sky

Fortem Technologies is developing the DroneHunter that captures intruder drones. In an NBC video report on this Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), Fortem CEO Timothy Bean said the DroneHunter, “patrols the airspace, detects any unwanted objects in the airspace, enemy drones or other robotics, pursues them, and then safely captures them and tows them away to a safe location.” DroneHunter autonomously detects intruder drones, shoots a net at 80 MPH to a target drone up to 25 feet away, captures the enemy drone and carries it away.

Company promotional video (see the NBC report for the DroneHunter in action):

Fortem Technologies: Enabling the Benefits of a Drone World

https://youtu.be/H3KzPUDIo6A

Pollen Systems Launches Drone-Based Data and Analysis Solution to Improve Vineyard and Crop Yields

Pollen Systems Corporation in Bellevue, Washington announced a managed service that helps farms and vineyards monitor their crops. Subscribing farms and vineyards get weekly visits by a certified Drone Technologist. The Pollen Scout UAV captures RGB, NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) images. These help farmers identify issues with crop growth, irrigation problems, pests, and diseases. The Pollen Scout is already flying at several early adopter vineyards in Washington State.

Watch this delightful aerial robot dance with its dangly legs

University of Tokyo researchers have developed a quadcopter with spindly legs. The Aerial-Biped senses the forward velocity of the quadcopter and automatically manipulates the legs through servos – giving it a dancing-like motion. Paper: Aerial-biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor. Abstract:

“We present a biped robot which can move agiler than conventional robots. Our robot can generate bipedal walking motion automatically using the proposed method. By using a quadrotor for balance and movement it is possible to make an agiler movement, and generate a gait interactively and in real time according to the motion of the quadrotor using the optimized control policy of the legs. Our system takes the velocity of the quadrotor as an input and legs motions are produced so that the velocity of the foot in contact with the ground to zero, and bipedal walking motion is generated. The control policy is optimized using reinforcement learning with a physics engine.”

Aerial-Biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor

UAV253 High Altitude Pseudo Satellite Drone

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A pseudo satellite drone with deformable wings, an agricultural drone that sprays crops, a project for drone applications in cities, the FAA makes a Federal preemption statement, a payment concept for drone package delivery, and a deformable drone that absorbs impacts.

A high altitude pseudo satellite. Courtesy UAVOS Inc.

UAV News

Prototype Solar-Powered, High-Altitude UAV Undergoing Flight Tests

The UAVOS Inc. HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo Satellite) aircraft is solar-powered with a flexible wing for control. The ApusDuo prototype has been flown more than 1000 hours at altitudes of up to 65,617 feet (20,000 meters). Flight tests confirmed the aircraft can handle turbulence by actively changing the bend of the wing. UAVOS specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned vehicles and autopilot systems and components. Their solutions range from small industrial surveillance drones to large UAVs.

North Dakota State University’s Herbicide-Spraying Drone Covers 33 Acres in an Hour

The University’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department is using an AG V6+ agriculture drone from Homeland Surveillance & Electronics. It holds four gallons of herbicide and flies autonomously for 30 minutes, covering 33 acres in one hour. The department’s “smart farm” project looks to deploy the drone in precise areas of land and fly autonomously without the need for a high-resolution imaging drone.

Promotional video: AG v6a+ UAV Crop Sprayer

Report: UK has golden opportunity to shape future of drones

The Nesta innovation foundation conducted the Flying High Challenge pilot project to investigate applications for drones in cities. The objectives of the Challenge were to shape plans for the future of drones in UK cities, identify and address key complexities, and detail technical and economic plans. The project collaborated with five cities to analyze socially beneficial use cases. See the final report: Flying High: The future of drone technology in UK cities

FAA Clarifies Federal Authority Over Drone Rulemaking

Some state and local governments have passed laws that regulate drones, but who has authority over the airspace? In Press Release – FAA Statement–Federal vs. Local Drone Authority, the FAA says, “Congress has provided the FAA with exclusive authority to regulate aviation safety, the efficiency of the navigable airspace, and air traffic control, among other things. State and local governments are not permitted to regulate any type of aircraft operations, such as flight paths or altitudes, or the navigable airspace.” But local governments can control landing sites through their land use powers.

Worldpay’s Drone Delivery Mat Identifies Customer Before Releasing Package

While many companies are developing package delivery systems, Worldpay is thinking about the payment system: how the customer ensures they receive the package and how the seller ensures they get paid? Worldpay’s idea is that customers get a portable landing pad tied to their credit card, the delivery drone lands on the pad, and the drone confirms the delivery location is correct. Then payment is authorized and the package is released. Worldpay’s Drone Pay proof-of-concept uses EMV contactless payment card technology embedded into the drone landing pad.

Demonstration video: Drone Pay by Worldpay

https://youtu.be/YR9s_lp9l30

An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impact

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) developed a drone that deforms on impact. The design is inspired by insect wings and also by origami. The hybrid origami drone can be stiff or flexible depending on the circumstances. The structure is stiff when airborne but if the drone runs into something, it becomes flexible and absorbs the shock.

Video: An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impact

Mentioned

Webinar Invitation by the UAVs for Payload Delivery Working Group

August 1, 2018, 10am Eastern (GMT-4)

The newly developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Procurement Guide will be shared by the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project. The guide’s purpose is to share lessons and insight from the project’s experience to help other organizations undertaking similar efforts. The guide will prevent them from reinventing the wheel or starting from zero to expedite the rate at which this technology is applied and scaled up. This webinar is open to anyone to attend.

UAV195 Drone Registration Struck Down

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A court ruling halts recreational drone registration in the U.S. while China implements a new drone registration requirement. Also, a fast fixed-wing VTOL UAV, heavy-lift delivery drones, remote pilot training in Australia, a long-endurance solar powered unmanned sailplane, and some new drone swarming applications.

The Marlyn VTOL mapping and surveying drone. Courtesy Atmos UAV.

UAV News

Court Strikes Down Drone Registration Requirement

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has struck down the FAA’s drone registration requirement for recreational UAV operators. The three-judge panel agreed with John A. Taylor, a drone hobbyist represented by attorney Jonathan Rupprecht, who argued that the FAA requirement violated the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act passed by Congress. Read the Court Opinion [PDF] and the Court Order [PDF]. Note that the ruling does not affect aircraft operated for commercial operations under Section 333 or Part 107. Rules for commercial operations remain the same. More details: Complete Guide to Taylor v. FAA (Drone Registration Lawsuit).

FAA Statement Regarding US Court of Appeals Decision

“We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision.”

Atmos UAV Launches Marlyn

The Atmos UAV Marlyn is a fixed-wing, VTOL UAV designed for high-speed mapping applications like land surveying, mining, precision agriculture, and forestry. It can be deployed from any surface, can map up to 10 times faster than a multirotor, and can fly in a broad range of weather conditions.

Heavy Duty Delivery Drones Coming From JD.com

JD.com says they are China’s largest retailer, online or offline, and they plan to build China’s largest low-altitude drone package delivery network. The heavy-lift drones are expected to carry more than a ton, transport products to remote areas, and move agricultural produce to cities. JD.com will also establish an R&D campus in partnership with the Xi’an National Civil Aerospace Industrial Base (XCAIB) where unmanned systems will be developed, manufactured and tested.

Changes to approved training

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Australia’s national aviation authority is changing the practical training requirements for receiving an Australian Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) effective 1 June 2017. RePL applicants will satisfy the training requirements by completing a RePL training course conducted by a person holding a RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) that authorized the training. Applicants can also apply to CASA for a flight test. CASA-approved training organisations are located across Australia, and a list of approved drone operators including those who can conduct training, is on the CASA website. More information about the advantages of holding a RePL can be found in Flying drones/remotely piloted aircraft in Australia.

Drone owners will now have to register with the government in China

Pilots of drones weighing 250 grams or more (0.55 pound) will be required to register with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This requirement is effective June 1, 2017. Registration is online and real names must be used.

FAA releases registered private drone owner database

The Federal Aviation Administration has made available a database of registered drone owners. The spreadsheet shows the city, state and zip code of each registered drone owner.

NRL Tests Autonomous ‘Soaring with Solar’ Concept

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is looking at long endurance unmanned sailplanes that use solar power. The Navy says, “The Solar Photovoltaic and Autonomous Soaring Base Program and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) want to improve the ability of unmanned platforms to support 24-7 information, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

DroneSeed Receives the First FAA Approval for Using Drone Swarming to Deliver Agricultural Payloads

DroneSeed has received approval from the FAA to deliver agricultural payloads with drone swarms. The company says, “We’re working with commercial foresters to make reforestation more efficient. Offering a one-stop solution, our team of drones plants tree seeds and sprays fertilizer and herbicides to keep trees healthy.”

Drone Swarms Could Spoof the Enemy

At the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, the vice president of science and technology at Cintel said a web of swarming unmanned aircraft systems that can spoof enemy drones could be a solution to the shot doctrine problem when exercising counter-UAS capabilities.

UAV Video of the Week

Lockheed Martin Conducts First Underwater Unmanned Aircraft Launch from Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

Lockheed Martin successfully launched a Vector Hawk UAV on command from the Marlin MK2 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). At the same time, the Submaran unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by Ocean Aero provided surface reconnaissance and surveillance.

Mentioned

Airplane Geeks episode 453 The Zunum Aero Electric Airplane.

UAV179 Online UAS Training Offerings

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Online UAS training from well-respected providers, a UAV traffic control project in Germany, the FAA levies the largest ever civil penalty for UAV operation, a jet-fueled UAV endurance record, and companies collaborating for agriculture applications.

The VA001 10-day Endurance UAS, courtesy Vanilla Aircraft

UAV News

King Schools Announces Unmanned Aircraft Knowledge Course

Embry-Riddle Offers UAV Basics Class Online

The names John and Martha King are synonymous with high-quality pilot training. Now King Schools offers a Drone Pilot Ground School and Test Prep Course that was jointly created with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). The online course covers everything you need to prepare for the FAA knowledge test and costs $99.

Meanwhile, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) has a free online course February 6 through February 19 called “Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) – Key Concepts for New Users.” The course will be taught in the “massive open online course” (MOOC) format and is open to an unlimited number of students, worldwide.

The ERAU course “…covers key concepts related to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS)/recreational drones, including basic types/groups, capabilities, and current and future uses. Particular emphasis is placed on the safety of flight within the National Airspace System (NAS), including where to find the online flight planning tools to help make every flight as safe as possible. The MOOC also introduces the FAA’s new regulations (FAA Part 107) for sUAS operators who wish to operate commercially.”

Buckling Down On UAV Traffic Control

A UAV traffic control project is forming in Germany to develop technologies for the safe integration of unmanned aircraft in air traffic. Participants include air traffic control company DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung (the company in charge of air traffic control for Germany), as well as Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Post DHL Group, and RWTH Aachen University.

The project will:

Develop a prototype for a UAS traffic management system.
See if the Deutsche Telekom’s mobile network can be used to connect UAS.
Test package delivery in urban areas using autonomous aircraft, building on DHL’s success with the DHL Parcelcopter.
Investigate three UAS use cases: fire-fighting, agriculture, and logistics.

FAA and Skypan International, Inc., Reach Agreement on Unmanned Aircraft Enforcement Cases

In Episode 117 we reported that the FAA was considering a $1.9 million civil penalty against aerial photography company SkyPan International for conducting unauthorized operations over New York City and Chicago. Now the FAA and SkyPan have reached a settlement:

SkyPan will pay a $200,000 civil penalty and pay an additional $150,000 if it violates Federal Aviation Regulations in the next year.
SkyPan will work with the FAA to release three public service announcements in the next 12 months to support the FAA’s public outreach campaigns that encourage drone operators to learn and comply with UAS regulations.
SkyPan will pay an additional $150,000 if it fails to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement.

Jet fuel-powered UAV completes record 56-hour flight, with plenty left in the tank

Virginia-based Vanilla Aircraft, LLC announced that their VA001 unmanned aircraft system completed a non-stop, unrefueled 56-hour flight conducted at New Mexico State University’s Unmanned Air Systems Flight Test Center. The flight was submitted for a world duration record for combustion-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the 50-500 kg subclass. The flight was planned as a 120-hour mission, but ended early due to forecasted severe icing and range restrictions. However, the VA001 landed with enough JP-8 fuel on board for an additional 90 hours of flying.

Agribotix and senseFly Announce Agricultural Drone & Data Processing Solution

Agribotix and senseFly are combining their resources to offer agriculture a professional solution. The senseFly eBee SQ fixed wing agricultural drone is designed to capture crop data across four multispectral bands, plus RGB imagery, while covering hundreds of acres in a single flight. The eBee SQ is compatible with Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS). You can find the eBee SQ on the Agribotix website, along with the Agrion quadcopter. Agribotix is strong in agricultural data acquisition and analytics.

UAV Video of the Week

Drone Trippin on AirVūz

Drone Trippin is a new series on AirVūz with four of the world’s top FPV pilots flying around gorgeous backdrops, ripping through abandoned structures, and racing through breathtaking locations. Started December 2016. AirVūz was launched in late 2015 as a video-sharing platform for the drone community. It includes user-generated content and original programming.

Mentioned

Top Drone Websites On The Internet 2017

UAV170 UAS for Precision Agriculture

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We talk with the founder of a company that provides drones for precision agriculture.

The AgEagle RX60

Guest

Bret Chilcott founded AgEagle Aerial Systems in 2013 as a spin-off of a Kansas State University research project. AgEagle provides data acquisition drones for precision agriculture. They are an FAA Section 333 exemption holder, and their drone technology captures aerial images of crop health. Bret is a private pilot and prior to founding the company, he held sales and marketing positions with Cessna Aircraft and Cobalt Boats.

CEO Bret Chilcott Bret describes how drones can help growers achieve their precision agriculture objectives. He gives us some insight into the state of the market and how farmers view the new technology. We talk about using AgEagle’s drone technology to quickly capture aerial images of crop health, and how the resulting prescription map identifies areas of stress such as disease and pests or improper irrigation. Growers can then utilize their equipment more efficiently, reduce costs, increase crop yields, and minimize environmental impact.

The AgEagle fixed-wing RX60 is a durable, lightweight, professional-grade drone. It’s electric-powered, encased in carbon fiber, with a flight time of about one hour. The RX60 can capture aerial NIR/NDVI maps of 300 acres or more per flight for image acquisition supporting precision agriculture growers and agronomists.

Find AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. at AgEagle.com, be sure to visit them on Facebook, and follow the AgEagle YouTube channel.

Bret’s 108-2 Stinson, “Charlie”

UAV156 AT&T Using Drones to Benefit Customers

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Cell coverage provided by drones, sUAS conflicting with aerial applicators, controlling swarms with your mind, another package delivery milestone by Flirtey, a drone pilot is arrested, and using drones to find old land mines.

A Bird’s Eye View of AT&T’s Drone Inspection Program

News

Better cell service for responders when COWs fly

AT&T uses Cell On Wheels (COW) equipment to temporarily add cell capacity for large events, or bring coverage to disaster scenes. Now the company is looking at a new kind of COW that used drones: Cell On Wings. In the company blog, Drones Taking Our Network to New Heights, AT&T says, “We’re researching how in-flight drones can use our LTE network to send large amounts of data in real-time. This capability may benefit areas such as insurance, farming, facility and asset inspections, and even delivery service companies.” AT&T is already using drones to perform cell tower inspections. (Video above.)

New UAV rules should help farmers, ag businesses

Most groups with an interest in using sUAS commercially are in favor of the Part 107 rules, including the agriculture business. But the National Agricultural Aviation Association thinks “the FAA set the bar a little low” when it comes to safety and certification requirements.

Note: The Small UAS Rule (Part 107), including all pilot and operating rules, will be effective on August 29, 2016. These resources are provided by the FAA:

Control a swarm of drones with your mind

Arizona State University is researching technology that allows human brainwaves to control up to four robot vehicles. Electrodes on a skullcap pick up electrical brain activity, software processes the data, and the drones are controlled via a Bluetooth connection. ASU says that to make the drones move, the operator watches on a monitor, and thinks and pictures the drones performing various tasks.

7-Eleven makes food deliveries with Flirtey UAS

Flirtey 7-Eleven package delivery Flirtey and 7-Eleven announced they have completed the first fully autonomous, FAA-approved drone delivery to two residential homes in Reno, Nevada. The Flirtey drone delivered a 7-Eleven chicken sandwich, donuts, hot coffee, and Slurpees. The Flirtey drone hovered over the residents’ backyards and lowered the packages. The two companies plan to expand their delivery services in the future.

Drone pilot arrested at JFK Airport

A 52-year old man was arrested for flying a drone within 50 feet laterally of a jet, and 20 feet below it. The drone was spotted by the pilot on approach about 4 miles from the airport.

Afghan brothers launch new mine-hunting drone

Two former Afghan refugees are developing technology that would allow a drone to safely sweep an area and destroy old land mines. The UAS would use ground penetrating radar and metal detectors to locate the mines. A small charge could then be placed by the drone and detonated remotely. The brothers are using a Kickstarter campaign to fund the Mine Kafon Drone.

Video of the Week

Martin Mars – View From a Drone

The beautiful Martin Mars, originally a four-engined cargo transport seaplane, now used for water drops to fight wildfires. This video shows the airplane at AirVenture Oshkosh 2016.

UAV148 Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy

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A manned aircraft manufacturer looks ahead to UAS, whale-watching drones, ADS-B for UAS, a report on U.S. drone retail sales, and the U.S. Commerce Department issues privacy guidelines.

News

Air Tractor® Makes Entry into the UAS Market – Acquires Yield Defender

Air Tractor, Inc. produces a number of manned agricultural aircraft: 400, 500, 600 and 800-gallon capacity airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engines. But they’ve seen the future, and it’s unmanned, so they’ve purchased Hangar 78 UAV and its Yield Defender unmanned aerial system.

Air Tractor President Jim Hirsch says, “We have done our research, and it’s clear that aggressively investing and further developing unmanned aerial systems into agriculture will enable Air Tractor to remain an industry leader and provide the latest technology to ag producers as UAS capabilities mature and are integrated into the industry.”
Yield Defender UAS systems are engineered for the agriculture industry. Their UAS has Near Infrared (NIR) sensors, thermal imaging, and Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology.

PWWA looks toward regulations of whale watching drones

The Pacific Whale Watch Association wants to make sure whales remain wild. They recognize the research value of drones, but they don’t know if hobby drones disturb whales. Additionally, they say current laws are vague or don’t exist. For now, PWWA asks drone operators to follow the Whale Wise Guidelines: stay at least 200 yards outside the perimeter of a whale or pod, and more than 400 yards from the path of a traveling pod.

Obstacles Appear to Extending GPS-Based ADS-B for UAV Operations

Inside GNSS published a comprehensive article that looks at issues and possible solutions for using the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system on unmanned aircraft. The FAA has mandated installation of the ADS-B system in manned aircraft by 2020.

Obstacles to using ADS-B on UAVs include: cost, weight, and large numbers of drone flights. Also, many areas in the U.S. do not have ADS-B coverage below 500 feet.

Harris Corporation, the FAA’s prime contractor for ADS-B, announced ADS-B Xtend, a dual-band receiver and relay system that can be installed in areas without close-to-the-ground ADS-B capabilities. It provides UAV operators with aircraft tracking data, maps, and weather information.

Harris is partnering with PrecisionHawk to include information from the Low Altitude Tracking and Avoidance System or LATAS, which uses cellular networks. The Xtend ground receivers have a 150-mile range, and they can be attached to existing structures or even to mobile vehicles for roaming coverage.

Drone dollar sales for the past 12 months were three times higher than sales from prior year

Retail research firm The NPD Group released a report that says for the twelve months ending in April, drone sales have grown 224 percent year-over-year to nearly $200 million.

Drones with 4K cameras accounted for more than one-third of dollar sales, and drones with built-in GPS accounted for 64 percent of revenue. Drones with an average price greater than $500 accounted for 56 percent of dollar sales and drones sold during the 2015 holiday season increased 445 percent from the prior year.

Privacy fears: Panel has advice for drone operators

The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has released the 8-page Voluntary Best Practices for UAS Privacy, Transparency, and Accountability. [PDF] The best practices are directed to both commercial and non-commercial drone users.

The document describes voluntary best practices, many relating to the collection of “Covered Data,” or information collected by a UAS that identifies a particular person. Due to First Amendment issues, the guidelines do not apply to newsgathering and news reporting organizations. The appendix lists eight guidelines for “Neighborly Drone Use.”

Video of the Week

Drone Roof Inspection

In this video, listener Ken Krantz uses a drone to inspect his solar panels and pool heating apparatus, with a little humor thrown in. The inspection actually revealed a broken item in need of repair. Ken tells us, “I should point out that, before this flight, I called my local tower and filled out a DROTAM that included the time of my flight, the max altitude (I specified 150’) and a number I could be reached at should they need to retract the DROTAM permission. AND, of course, I have an FAA UAS registration number affixed to the craft.”

Mentioned

UAV Propulsion Tech is a sponsor of The UAV Digest, and President Bob Schmidt has created a LinkedIn group called UAV Tech, “a networking group for technical people in the unmanned aerial vehicle industry. It will focus on advanced technology for UAV’s like: propulsion, payloads, servos, autopilots, sense/avoid, launch/recovery, generators, parachutes, airframes, materials, applications, and testing.” Group membership is by request.

New drone racing sport taking off in Utah

Patrick sent us this article that describes how a man who bought a toy quadcopter for his son ended up designing custom drones and became involved with Drones, Etc., an online business founded in early 2013 by two professional aerial enthusiasts.