sUAS News

Felix Chaudhary DRONES or remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) can pose a serious threat to commercial passenger aircraft and the privacy of the general population, says Solicitor-General and permanent secretary for Civil Aviation Authority, Sharvada Sharma. Speaking during a panel discussion at the 17th Attorney-General’s Conference at Natadola last week Friday, he said there were…The post Fiji:- Panel centres on threats posed by drones appeared first on sUAS News.

RICHMOND, Canada – With retail drone sales expected to soar during the holiday season, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) is teaming up with aviation partners to launch a drone safety campaign aimed at highlighting the risks associated with flying unmanned aircraft near airports. “Innovation and safety are two of YVR’s core values,” said Steve Hankinson, Vice…The post Vancouver Airport Authority launches drone safety campaign appeared first on sUAS News.

BY ROBERT GIBSON With 16 years’ experience as an RAF helicopter pilot, Nigel King was a natural choice when Northumbria University was looking for a specialist to operate its newly purchased drone. “They had bought one, but didn’t know how to fly it,” he recalled. “I became the chief pilot, but looking at the…The post High-flying drone business QuestUAV enters the South Korean marketplace appeared first on sUAS News.

Bart Jansen The founder of a company navigating the future of drones amid an industry anticipating explosive growth during the next decade has been named USA TODAY’s Small-Business Innovator of the Year. Jonathan Downey, 32, CEO of San Francisco-based Airware.com, was chosen from among 10 finalists by a team of USA TODAY editors and last year’s winner,…The post USA Today:- Airware CEO is Small Business Innovator of the Year appeared first on sUAS News.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that nearly 800,000 small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, will be sold this holiday season, and expects sales of an additional 1.9 million UAS to hobbyist and recreational users in 2016. Over the past year we have witnessed a surge in news events involving careless operators misusing drones,…The post Hogan Lovells :- FAA Releases Rule on UAS Registration Requirements appeared first on sUAS News.

Following the publication of the “Aviation Package” on 07th December, SAE International welcomes the Communication from the European Commission on the future of European aerospace sector: “An Aviation Strategy for Europe”[1]. SAE International believes that Europe should continue to play a lead role in partnership with other world regions towards a safer, efficient and more…The post EU Aviation Strategy: SAE International Welcomes an Ambitious Package and EASA’s Shift Towards a Performance-based Approach appeared first on sUAS News.

Intelligent Energy, the energy technology company, announced today it has developed a prototype of a hydrogen fuel cell powered range extender for drones. The range extender offers longer flight time and fast re-fuel capabilities, addressing two of the biggest challenges for manufacturers of battery-powered drones. Intelligent Energy will unveil its prototype of the fuel cell…The post Intelligent Energy Hydrogen Fuel Cells Significantly Extend Drone Flight Time appeared first on sUAS News.

This is the way many platforms will go, we might end up thanking the FAA and Japan now (200g) for pushing developers. Tiny flying robots really cannot be held up as a flight safety risk. I have a feeling that far from being the end of Joe Public drones increased regulations are the beginning of…The post Still want GPS flight but don’t want to register with the FAA? appeared first on sUAS News.

Commercial drone operators traditionally spend more time processing images by back office applications than they do with mission preparation, traveling to the job site and finally flying the survey mission. The popular 2D/3D mapping and modeling apps require high powered Intel i7 desktops with Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) to render professional quality results that can be monetized. Processing times…The post Minimizing Processing and Render Times for Drone Mapping Apps appeared first on sUAS News.

MUNCIE, Ind. – Dave Mathewson, executive director of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) which is the world’s largest community-based organization, today made the following statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rule for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) registration: “AMA is disappointed with the new rule for UAS registration. As a member of the…The post AMA Reacts to DOT UAS Registration Rule appeared first on sUAS News.

Roger Sollenberger This morning the FAA announced official rules for registering drones in the United States. Registration applies to a wide range of drone sizes, between .55 lbs. and 55 lbs., which, obviously, includes Solo and other 3DR drones. Below you’ll find a list of the FAA drone registration rules. Put simply, everyone needs to register. It costs five…The post FAA Drone Registration Rules appeared first on sUAS News.

by Scott J Grunewald Apparently it is actually pretty easy to strap a flame thrower to a drone and start lighting stuff on fire, so surely it would be just as easy to make a drone to help put the fires out, right? It turns out no, it isn’t easy to build a drone…The post 3D Printed Titanium Helps Make This Drone Ready to Fight Fires appeared first on sUAS News.

By Jason Strother When traveling by train in South Korea, you can’t go any further north than Baekmagoji Station. It’s then a 15-minute walk from the station to the demilitarized zone (or DMZ). After that, it’s all rice paddies and landmines, leading up to North Korea. Even though the two Koreas signed a cease-fire agreement…The post North Korea puts its DMZ-crossing drone fleet on display appeared first on sUAS News.

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/ill-register-my-drone-when-you-have-to-register-your-gun For the past half-dozen months, I’ve owned and operated a tiny quadcopter that I built from parts sourced online. It’s only 110 millimeters wide, weighs about one pound, has a very small camera, and is more likely to be blown into a tree by a mild breeze than injure anyone. And as of next…The post I’ll Register My Drone When You Have to Register Your Gun appeared first on sUAS News.

The latest number of UK CAA organisations certified to conduct unmanned aircraft operations for commercial purposes currently stands at 1080 with an estimated 20-25 new companies per month adding to the list. To meet the need for new remote pilots, the number of CAA approved training schools has risen from 2 to 11 in just…The post The Drone ‘Bubble’ – How to survive in a competitive market appeared first on sUAS News.

CybAero AB has announced a partnership with Albright Stonebridge Group to expand the international reach of CybAero’s pioneering products and services. Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), led by former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and former US Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez, is a global strategic advisory firm. “We’re pleased to start…The post CybAero AB announces strategic agreement with Albright Stonebridge Group appeared first on sUAS News.

NEW DELHI: To check use of UAVs by rogue elements to carry out terror attacks, the government is mulling to put in place a system to detect and defeat such threats and regulate low flying objects. Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said there was a need for regulating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to prevent its misuse,…The post India :- Government to Put in Place System for Regulating UAVs: Home Secretary appeared first on sUAS News.

WASHINGTON–Please join U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Deputy Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker for an announcement about the aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). A Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on November 21, 2015. When: Monday, December…The post Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to make registration announcement 0930 EST appeared first on sUAS News.

By The Times Editorial Board The demand for recreational drones grew shockingly fast this year, catching much of the country unaware — and unprepared. Once the price for a camera-equipped quadcopter dropped below $100, the aerial robots started flying off the shelves. Seemingly overnight, every major retailer had a drone model for sale. Even Macy’s. The…The post Drone regulations should be considered for use now and in the future appeared first on sUAS News.

By DAVE COLBY (Patch Staff) California Highway Patrol officials say it’s unclear what charges might be filed against the operator of a drone that nearly flew into a CHP helicopter last weekend in Martinez but the case could be “closely followed,” given the current lack of clarity in laws governing these incidents. The incident occurred…The post Drone Operator in Bay Area Near Miss Remains Uncharged appeared first on sUAS News.

By JIM THOMPSON As the federal government continues to wrestle with regulation of drones, and a state legislative study committee just released its own set of recommendations for drone regulation in Georgia, Athens-Ben Epps Airport Director Tim Beggerly has a single piece of advice for anyone who might find one of the flying machines under…The post Georgia:- State legislative committee issues recommendations for drone regulation appeared first on sUAS News.

I feel a disturbance in the force. Not just because The Force Awakens here in Africa a whole two days before the USA. But because if disturbances in the force reaching sUAS News this weekend are correct another Force is about to wake. The FAA are said by some close to the process to release…The post FAA tipped to announce drone registration rules Monday appeared first on sUAS News.

Workhorse, a research and design company with offices in Loveland, has been testing drone deliveries since October. WLWT was invited to get a look at the company’s testing. Workhorse representatives said that the average delivery truck costs $1 per mile. They said drone deliveries are far cheaper at 30 cents per mile. “We’re doing the…The post Ohio company could soon be delivering packages by drone appeared first on sUAS News.

Dubai will host the first ‘World Drone Prix’ in March, which organisers say will be the world’s biggest drone race, with a grand prize of $1 million. Speaking at the last day of the World Air Games at Skydive Dubai’s Palm drop zone, Minister of Cabinet Affairs Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said that the…The post Dubai to host World Drone Prix, grand prize $1 million appeared first on sUAS News.

This Request for Information (RFI) is a preliminary call for expressions of interest for supplying a commercially available UAV solution for the delivery and retrieval of time critical life-saving medical supplies. Proposed UAVs will have capacity and capability of delivering and retrieving different packages to and from logistically challenging remote locations in Ethiopia. Please consult…The post Call for expressions of interest for supplying commercially available UAV solutions. appeared first on sUAS News.

MetaVR has posted a video of a new real-time scenario that takes place on 3D geospecific synthetic terrain built with 2cm per-pixel resolution aerial imagery collected in early 2015 with the company’s remote-controlled aircraft, the MetaVRC. This new 2 cm geospecific 3D terrain is of two target ranges at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon…The post MetaVR’s New 2 cm Per-Pixel Resolution Geospecific Target Range Synthetic Terrain Built With Imagery Collected by Remote-Controlled Aircraft appeared first on sUAS News.

What inspired the creation of Sky-Futures? One of my co-founders, Chris Blackford and I were working in the military in 2006-07 and it was in Iraq and Afghanistan that we used drones on the frontline. The technology was very good in the military and it was evolving very quickly. Before we went into a new…The post Thrive:- Sky Futures appeared first on sUAS News.

PEORIA, Ill. — As part of our innovation and technology strategy, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) continues to work with key industry players to help our dealers and customers benefit from significant advancements in the fields of data analytics and drone technology. Today, we are pleased to announce an exciting new marketing agreement between Redbird and…The post Caterpillar Inc. and Redbird to Advance Work Site Intelligence with Drone Analytics appeared first on sUAS News.

Strat Aero plc, an international aerospace company focused on the rapidly growing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (‘UAV’) sector, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Aero Kinetics, a Texas based privately owned company, which specialises in the provision of advanced UAV technology solutions, such as high-end UAVs, associated…The post Strat Aero UK, Acquisition of Aero Kinetics Texas UAV Technology Company appeared first on sUAS News.

Jon Woodward, CTV News, Reporter Canada’s federal transportation watchdog says it’s looking into a local drone operator whose eye-catching videos may have been taken from the flight paths of aircraft taking off and landing in Vancouver harbour. Transport Canada says it may crack down on 604 Aerial Drone Photography as part of its push to…The post Canada:- Drone operator probed for flying over Lion’s Gate Bridge appeared first on sUAS News.

Earlier this week Lincolnshire Police asked for the public’s help in identifying the operator of a flight that flew a multirotor over congested areas and beyond visual line of sight. Well he was allegedly spotted, at a drone show just a few miles from Lincoln. His image has been passed onto the Police and he…The post UK:- Wanted drone pilot allegedly spotted at UK Drone Show 2015 appeared first on sUAS News.

Hi, everyone! Are you going to buy a toy drone this holiday season? If you are, I have a plea: don’t buy crappy drones! And if you do, don’t fly them outside! I was interviewed as an expert today as part of a TV segment that will air next Tuesday. Part of the show involved…The post Stop buying crappy, anonymous drones! appeared first on sUAS News.

BY IAN CHIPMAN How do we prevent collisions when thousands of drones are flying in congested areas? A software-enabled system could play the role of an autonomous air traffic manager for unmanned flights. When Jeff Bezos unveiled his vision of drones delivering packages to Amazon customers during a 60 Minutes segment in late 2013, it…The post Stanford team develops software to predict and prevent drone collisions appeared first on sUAS News.

JIJI Secom Co. said Thursday it will start using its purpose-built drone on Friday, in what it claims is the first use of unmanned aircraft in the world by a private security service. Equipped with a security camera and light-emitting diode lights, the drone will take images of suspicious-looking individuals and automobiles. The images will…The post This Japanese security drone will chase intruders appeared first on sUAS News.

By Kevin Rawlinson The crowdfunding site Kickstarter has hired a journalist to investigate the demise of a mini-drone project that failed, despite record funding. More than £2.3m was pledged to the Zano project by more than 12,000 people, but it never got off the ground. The freelance journalist Mark Harris will try to enlighten investors…The post BBC:- Kickstarter hires journalist over Zano take-off failure appeared first on sUAS News.

Thermal imaging from the air has never been as easy as it is with the DJI Zenmuse XT. By combining DJI’s unrivaled expertise in gimbal technology and image transmission with the industry leading thermal imaging technology of FLIR, the Zenmuse XT is the ultimate solution for rapid and reliable aerial thermal imaging. Capture faster, with pinpoint precision,…The post DJI Zenmuse XT integrated FLIR Camera appeared first on sUAS News.

SALINA — As the estimated number of unmanned aircraft systems owners is expected to dramatically grow this holiday season, the UAS program at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus is offering a half-day course specifically for hobbyists to ensure proper use and safety. Kansas State Polytechnic’s inaugural UAS Multirotor Hobby course will be Saturday, Jan. 23,…The post The gift of flight: Kansas State Polytechnic offers hobbyists UAS flight safety instruction as holiday drone sales expected to rise appeared first on sUAS News.

IRVINGTON, NY USA – In what may be the first time since the Section 333 program was introduced, the Federal Aviation Administration has granted Exemption 333 status to a Penguin B unmanned aerial vehicle, produced by UAV Factory and powered by a gasoline engine. The vast majority of aircraft being granted Section 333 exemptions have…The post 333 exemption granted for gas-powered UAV appeared first on sUAS News.

Spectacular new footage shot from a drone flying over the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant released by the EBRD today shows the latest advances in securing the site of the 1986 accident. The video focuses on the arch that will shelter the damaged reactor 4 upon completion in late 2017. If you wish…The post New drone footage shows progress with Chernobyl arch appeared first on sUAS News.

Kyodo Police will deploy a large drone with a camera and net to catch unauthorized unmanned aircraft as part of a new anti-drone squad being planned, sources said. The envisaged unit at the Metropolitan Police Department will be the nation’s first and comes as new regulations on drone flights kicked in Thursday. According to MPD…The post Police unit plans to use large drone to ‘net’ unauthorized unmanned aircraft appeared first on sUAS News.

In order to clarify the situation with regard to RPAS Training in South Africa, and the recent developments resulting in an approved ROC having their Practical Training License suspended, Cranfield Aviation Training, operating under ATO CAA0018 are still approved as confirmed by the SACAA Testing Standards Department – and accredited by the SACAA to carry…The post South Africa :- Cranfield Clarification Communication appeared first on sUAS News.

Noah Cohen PATERSON — A small drone was found on the roof of the Robert A. Roe federal building Wednesday, leading to a brief evacuation of the facility, officials said Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said the agency’s bomb squad responded to the building around 5 p.m. “I want to commend the members of the sheriff’s office for spotting…The post Small drone prompts evacuation at Paterson federal building, officials say appeared first on sUAS News.

Senseable, a small Danish drone technology developing company is pleased to announce it has successfully finished the first round of tests of a new drone safety system, designed to guide drones or small aircraft to a safe landing site if technical problems arise during flight. The safety system consists of three parts, an online database…The post Senseable conducts first succesful test of new safe drone technology appeared first on sUAS News.

Well now we can stick a name on the tail of the GoPro donkey. The company has an email list to sign up for news and to potentially win one of 100 being given away https://gopro.com/news/karma-is-coming-in-2016 Do they mean they had to make one as it was karma or do GoPro think they can get back…The post GoPro Karma appeared first on sUAS News.

It has come to our attention that the rug has been pulled from under the feet of students that trained with South Africa’s only one stop approved drone training school. The only school that could provide ground and flight training. Also leaving people in the company licencing process high and dry. Without RPL’s in place…The post South Africa:- SACAA suspends RPLs appeared first on sUAS News.

By Alain Clapaud Redbird, a French company which has built a strong reputation operating drones for the construction, public works and mining sectors, has just launched Cardinal, a Cloud-based service with ambitions to become the ‘Google Maps’ for aerial infrastructure monitoring. Redbird made front page news in the business press in April when GDF Suez…The post Cardinal: drone data collection meets the Cloud appeared first on sUAS News.

MARIKO TAI, Nikkei staff writer TOKYO — DJI Japan, a unit of the world’s largest drone maker, on Wednesday announced that it will begin offering corporate training programs next month. “We decided to offer [certification programs] in Japan because there were many requests from our customers,” said Tomoko Kakino, an event manager at the company.…The post DJI Japan to train 10,000 pilots in next 3 years appeared first on sUAS News.

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its effort to provide businesses with turnkey drone solutions, Measure, the nation’s leading operator of drones, has partnered with Robotic Skies, the leader in maintenance services for commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS). In partnership with Robotic Skies, Measure will provide companies worldwide with a combined package of services through…The post Measure and Robotic Skies team up appeared first on sUAS News.

Hiawatha Bray If you’re planning to buy someone a remote-controlled aircraft as a Christmas gift, Abby Speicher hopes you’ll spend a little extra and buy some lessons, too. Speicher is founder of Woburn-based DartDrones, one of the few companies that offer flight training for drone pilots. Her company’s “Santa Certified” program is offering lessons to…The post DartDrones offers ‘Santa Certified’ flight training for new drone owner appeared first on sUAS News.