sUAS News

WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the implementation of the first operational rules for routine non-hobbyist use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”). The regulations on June 21, 2016 officially take effect today. “People are captivated by the limitless possibilities unmanned aircraft offer, […]

Kurt Carraway SALINA — As the new regulations for commercial operations of small unmanned aircraft systems, known as Part 107, take effect, the UAS program on Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus is joining a research effort to assist the Federal Aviation Administration with potential next steps in that rule-making process. Kansas State Polytechnic is collaborating […]

It’s all kicking off ahead of the FAA press conference this morning. Find it here https://www.faa.gov/uas/request_waiver/ Obviously, you can’t apply for a waiver until you have your personal pilot paperwork sorted. The big list of things that require a waiver below. The good news for farm drones is 107.25, you could follow your drone around […]

I recently had to remove a fence to get a container placed in a field. It was a bit of pain. A new kid on the block wants to make that pain go away. Charles Bombardier and Tom Hobbs have released concept renderings of a jet powered multirotor. This quadcopter designed to move shipping containers […]

It is another glorious picture fail from FARS. This time, a claimed VTOL, the Roham. A pretty cool design as it has absolutely no rotors or tail sitting encumbrances if it is the platform in the image. So quite how they are making it VTOL onto the shown skids I just don’t know. I suspect […]

DJI, the world’s leading maker of unmanned aerial vehicles, expects new streamlined drone regulations taking effect Monday will lead to rapid innovation as American businesses, farmers, government agencies, educational institutions and nonprofits use drones to make their operations safer, less expensive and more efficient. “The new federal drone rule unlocks the potential of drone technology […]

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) new small drone rule – formally known as Part 107 – is effective on August 29. You may also be wondering what happens to your Section 333 exemption grant or petition for exemption. The biggest question is whether you are better off flying under the provisions of Part 107, or […]

Tasmania, home to the world’s largest multirotor racers! I am torn between thinking this giant drone racing idea is work of genius or lunacy. I get that we will all be able to see and hear them from the sidelines. They will be able to lift all sorts of exotic HD video hardware. Including VR 360 […]

Co-manager of the firm AirCity Diagnostic and civil drone operator in Aquitaine, in the south west of France, Loïc Richard was the project manager in charge of coordinating the operations and setting up the technological partnerships required for the success of the project. « In order to map and model the Pic d’Ossau over such […]

There are a few common threads here at the 10th Annual 2016 UAS Summit & Expo in Grand Forks, North Dakota. First, North Dakota remains a shining example of what can happen to a locale when there exists a common vision and when partnerships are formed that include all the stakeholders sharing that vision. It […]

We first saw renders for this new drone back at Easter. It looks like it really is ready to fly the nest. Fair play to them for daring to be different. PowerEgg™, the first consumer drone developed by PowerVision Technology Group, a worldwide leader in robotics and big data technologies, is now available for global […]

I created this free Part 107 test study guide to help my clients and the drone community based upon my experience as a FAA certificated flight instructor and aviation attorney. The FAA compiled a list of references in the final ACS and FAA study guide. Unfortunately, they did not include everything you need or would […]

I know for certain there is one fault in Henri Seydoux’s new flying wing launch video. It won’t attract girlfriends, sorry its a fact of life! Something that has, well not quite been bothering me. But interesting me is the space behind the flight battery. It looks on first glance big enough to fit Parrot’s […]

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that the company’s new Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Flight Training Academy graduated its first cadre of GA-ASI aircrews on August 12th. “Our first graduates have benefitted from safe, effective, cutting-edge […]

USAIG proudly introduces Performance Vector Unmanned, created specifically for policyholders who insure unmanned aircraft systems. It serves to keep safety at the forefront, which is especially critical considering that UAS outnumber registered manned aircraft. The program’s predecessor, Performance Vector, was established in 2011 to provide safety-supportive benefits to policyholders who insure turbine-powered manned aircraft. Likewise Performance […]

World’s first smart ground control points make survey-grade accuracy simple Sydney, Australia – Australian technology company Propeller Aero has announced the launch of AeroPoints: smart ground control points that make it easy for anyone to capture survey-accurate mapping using drones. AeroPoints’ patent-pending technology provides a simple solution to one of the major roadblocks to widespread […]

Other than drugs into prisons the delivery of Pizzas seems to be a worldwide favourite. We have seen attempts in England, Scotland, India, Greece the USA and now New Zealand. Fairplay Dominoes, you keep making this marketing work. Well done as well to Flirtey for jumping on the bandwagon. I think it is time to change […]

Australias V-TOL Aerospace has partnered with UK-based RelmaTech to conduct what they claim is the world’s first commercial flight operations of a remotely piloted airborne system (RPAS) supported by an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) system. On Thursday 18th August, V-TOL used one of its GosHawk RPAS to conduct routine volumetrics survey operations for […]

Soaring Sky, a Ft. Myers-based commercial drone company has begun recruiting pilots across the nation to fill growing demand for commercial drone services. Their efforts represent the continued growth of the drone industry, and a huge opportunity for pilots seeking entry into the field. “For the last two years Soaring Sky has worked extremely hard […]

Northland Community & Technical College Announces Collaborative Agreement with Northrop Grumman Thief River Falls, Minn.- Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) of Thief River Falls, Minn. today announced a collaboration agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation as part of the continuing support of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) efforts in the Red River Valley area of North Dakota […]

DJI, the world’s leading maker of unmanned aerial vehicles, joins Ford Motor Company and the United Nations Development Programme on Sunday to host the company’s annual SDK Challenge, in which 10 teams will compete for a $100,000 prize to see whose software can best launch drones from the bed of a moving vehicle, guide them […]

Congratulations to everyone at DroneDeploy, more money raised. I have to declare at this point that I am a satisfied DroneDeploy user. The flight planning app is great and I use it rather than others available. I really like the checklist as well! Today DroneDeploy announces another $20 million in Series B financing led by […]

PrecisionHawk’s leading UAVs, data mapping and analysis software and LATAS safety platform will be connected to Skyward’s operations management platform to provide a holistic drone workflow for the commercial market Raleigh, North Carolina and Portland, Oregon – PrecisionHawk and Skyward, global leaders in the UAV industry, have come together to assemble a complete package of […]

Graham Wild , John Murray and Glenn Baxter A recent alleged “drone” collision with a British Airways Airbus A320 at Heathrow Airport highlighted the need to understand civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) accidents and incidents (events). This understanding will facilitate improvements in safety by ensuring efforts are focused to reduce the greatest risks. One hundred and This understanding […]

One year after having demonstrated the 81-hour continuous solar-powered flight that is still the current world record in flight endurance for all aircrafts < 50kg total mass, the AtlantikSolar UAV has completed its next milestone by demonstrating the first-ever fully-autonomous (from launch to landing) solar-powered perpetual flight with significant payload (Color + Thermal Camera) in […]

Roger Sollenberger At NAB this year we announced a next-level Made for Solo camera system: a 4K, 360 degree Kodak virtual reality camera package, an official Made for Solo accessory brought to you by JK Imaging. The full package (cameras; mount; custom stitching software; remote) costs $999 and is available from Kodak later this summer. […]

We are proud to announce that following our continuous strive for quality that we have been awarded ISO 9001 Certification. This meets with the demands of our customers, but also demonstrates a commitment to providing quality products and services to all current and future customers. To maintain our certification, we will continue to carry out audits to […]

Fenstermaker has been at the forefront of technology since 1950. Now, with game-changing UAV capabilities, the firm can offer their clients more options and even greater project efficiency. Integrating UAV technology with traditional methods of surveying has altered the landscape of project management. From aerial photography and videography to data acquisition, clients are seeing more […]

September will see the launch of the Disco flying wing for $1299. It is an FPV experience where C.H.U.C.K (Control Hub & Universal Computer Kit) looks after you. Chuck is the autopilot and camera combined into one unit at the centre of the wing. On shake to wake the user chucks (see what I did there) […]

Its Gartner hype curve time again. Interesting to note that they too have put commercial drones on the cusp of inflated expectations. Back in 2013, Matthew Schroyer shared his thoughts on how things might roll out. Interestingly he mentions ITAR and FAA regulation. The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) really held back US based companies. […]

Story by Master Sgt. Timothy Lawn, 205th Press Camp Headquarters A convoy carrying a diplomatic team cautiously turns the corner in the Middle Eastern village of Turmenystan. The diplomats are racing against time to meet with an assembly of village leaders to stop the spread of a growing crisis. The lead security element in a […]

The U.S. Department of the Interior has awarded a contract to 3D Robotics of Berkley, California for up to 40 small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The award follows a lengthy process to develop performance requirements and select the most useful type of aircraft. “The contract is extremely important to the Department, as it will allow […]

Quanergy Systems, Inc., the leading provider of solid state LiDAR sensors and smart sensing solutions, announced today that it has raised $90 million in Series B funding at a valuation well over $1 billion. Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST), Delphi Automotive (NYSE:DLPH), Samsung Ventures, Motus Ventures and GP Capital participated in the round. This investment brings the […]

Over the weekend of Friday, 12 to Sunday, 14 August, officers from the Caledonian Neighbourhoods Policing Team and the Met’s Special Constabulary carried out patrols in the area of the prison as part of Operation Airborne. Operation Airborne has been set up to deter and catch offenders attempting to deliver contraband into prisons. During the […]

Lots of excitement across the web this weekend for the DJI Wind 1. It looked from the outset to be a marketing ploy by a reseller that creates platforms from DJI parts. If it is really DJI’s next platform then what a super soft launch! Available for 9950 Euros from Custom Drone in Holland the […]

Shapeways are getting good at offering up prizes for airframe competitions. Contests breed innovation! You have until October to get your entries in. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… the Drones Contest! We’re defining a drone as a powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator and can fly autonomously or be […]

Transport operators across the UK face significant challenges in detecting, monitoring and forecasting landslide and subsidence hazards across their networks. Incidents resulting from these hazards, occurring along or within the vicinity of road and rail corridors, can have a negative impact on society and local communities, especially in remote locations and challenging terrain. As a […]

CN utilizes numerous technology initiatives to improve the safety and efficiency of the railroad. The Engineering team is on the forefront of finding new technologies that can be used to improve safety, reduce accidents and increase the production, efficiency and prioritization of the work being completed by our field teams. CN drone technology equipment is […]

Nexutech founder and President Jay Willmott has been named “Virginia Person of the Year Award” by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) during the annual Virginia Aviation Conference held in Hot Springs, Virginia this week. DOAV Executive Director Randy Burdette announced the award at the Conference’s annual banquet at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, […]

A smallish, DJI 3S battery of 3830 maH has arrived on Chinese forums. It might be real, and if so what’s it for? It’s not going to be an FPV racer as the better ones now run 4 and 5S batteries. My money is on a small follow me folding quad with some sort of […]

A very nice VTOL transition from the Quantum Systems Tron. I like that all the props feather in gliding flight. A very straightforward way of launching something that has a chance to autonomous soar once in lift. The Tron would then have the power to get home at nightfall when lift fades. We shall watch […]

Autel Robotics USA announced today that it will support its customers who intend to fly the X-Star series drones commercially by covering the cost of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Remote Pilot Knowledge Test in the form of a rebate. The knowledge test is one of the major changes under FAA’s new Part 107 drone regulations, […]

•Work very closely with marketing team and Brand Experience Manager to craft and refine existing and future Social Media presence.•Research consumer demand and explore ways to increase it. •Assist with the development and writing of marketing materials, such as plans, recommendations and presentations. •Analyze current and past marketing data to help determine overall marketing strategy. […]

Join us on September 8th for a Plenary session featuring welcome remarks from Governor Mary Fallin and keynote presentation by Travis Mason, Google X. Governor Fallin has been a champion for the UAS industry from the start. Under Governor Fallin’s leadership the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Council was created in 2011. The Council has gone […]

A pleasant video for a Friday, Tornado XBlades team mates Brett Collis, 22 and Luke Banister, 16 describe how they made a video for Ford. Well done chaps, even though I am not liking the fact that I am older than your combined ages! Europe dominates the drone racing scene with Australia coming in a […]

Techies in Silicon Valley invent high-tech products every day. However, they still do not have a solution for one of their biggest problems: rush hour. In the San Francisco Bay Area, traffic jams are omnipresent. Commuting from Silicon Valley to San Francisco every morning takes an hour and a half, and in the evening it […]

I really should have added Air to our name at sUAS News. It seems to be the thing to do when launching anything to do with RPA these days. CNN has launched a drone service, the BBC has had an entire drone section for years. I think that rather proves that CNN is not the […]

Martin UAV LLC, a San Jose, California based designer and fabricator of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) recently participated in the 2016 Joint Inter-agency Field Experimentation (JIFX) event at Camp Roberts, California, at the invitation of the United States Naval Post Graduate School. The company’s flagship vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the “V-BAT”, conducted operational […]

A new world of opportunities for drone operators opens next week on August 29 when the new small drone rule for non-hobbyists becomes effective. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants to make sure you have the information you’ll need to take advantage of those opportunities. Aeronautical Knowledge Test One very important step you have to […]

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has today announced it has ordered a third, record-breaking, Zephyr-S Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), as part of a £13-million contract with Airbus Defence and Space (ADS). Zephyr-S is the latest version of a highly sophisticated series of ultra-lightweight UAVs, capable of flying up to 70,000ft – twice the altitude of […]