Drone News Update

Latest Episodes:

Drone News: 2022 DJI Drone outlook, DJI Blacklist, Flytrex Expansion, Drones for good Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

This week in drone news; a leak has shown possible new DJI drones in 2022, DJI also to be added to an investment and export blacklist, Flytrex expands their drone deliveries, and drones are being used to recover from the Kentucky tornados.

New DJI Products and their associated release dates have been leaked online We’re possibly looking at Mini 3 in April FPV Mini in July Inspire 3 in September https://dronexl.co/2021/12/09/dji-drones-in-2022-inspire-3-mini-3-fpv-mini-and-more/

DJI will be added to the investment and export blacklist The US Department of Commerce will put DJI along with more than 24 other companies on the entity list that restricts American exports and investment. The US Treasury Department will also put DJI and others on the “Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies” Blacklist. https://dronexl.co/2021/12/15/dji-to-be-added-to-investment-and-export-blacklists/

Flytrex has received approval to expand the delivery area for its operations to 1 mile from all of its NC locations. This expansion will allow Flytrex to reach an additional 10,000 households Flytrex partners with both foodservice and retail establishments to provide UAS deliveries. https://www.avweb.com/recent-updates/unmanned-vehicles/faa-approves-flytrex-drone-delivery-service-expansion

Drones are being used as part of the recovery efforts for the Tornados in Kentucky. We know a few folks who are out working on these operations Shout out to StormPoint, SkyeBrowse, and other First responders in Kentucky. https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2021/12/11/1063367722/drone-footage-captures-devastating-aftermath-of-mayfield-kentucky-tornado

Drone News: DroneUp acquires Airmap, DRL Accreditation, +55lb Drone Waiver, Remote ID Update! Dec 11, 2021

Show notes

Join us in learning about the recent up-comings in the drone community. DroneUp, a DSP, has squired the former LAANC provider, Airmap. The Drone Racing League has been accredited by the FAA in a first-of-its-kind drone safety event accreditation. A pilot, and friend of Pilot Institute, Kenji Sugahara, has received a response from the FAA regarding is p.107 exemption for a +55lb drone.

DroneUp is acquiring Airmap No disclosed price for the transaction or date. This is interesting to see a drone delivery platform purchase a software provider such as airmap. AirMap has been in the news over the years and more recently for losing their ability to issue LAANC requests and wanting to monetize on the airspace access. https://www.zdnet.com/article/mergers-pave-way-for-scaling-drone-delivery/

DRL is now an FAA-accredited drone event organizer. DRL will help to oversee UAS events to ensure safety. “We’re honored the FAA has accredited DRL as the first UAS event organization, and we’re excited to participate in the FAA’s PSP program to ensure safety is the priority at all UAS events,” said DRL COO Ashley Ellefson. “We look forward to sharing our expertise in drone-event safety more widely with the industry and continuing to work with venue organizers to curate safe and spectacular drone racing experiences through the most unique and incredible spaces.”

Kenji Sugahara has received the first 55lb+ exemption using only a part 107. This paves the way into part 107 operators potentially receiving waivers to operate aircraft that weigh more than 55lbs. Currently, part 107 operations are limited to aircraft less than 55lbs.

Fears of more expensive GPS appear to not be an issue for transmitters and Standard RID. With this change however, comes the possibility that cellphone’s GPS may not suffice for standard RID. An increase in cost however is unlikely, as WAAS GPS units are within $5 of other GPS units currently in use on unmanned aircraft.

Drone News: Mavic 3 Specs, A-Team Rescues Dogs, Mesa Airlines Drone Delivery, New RedEdge Camera Oct 29, 2021

Show notes

This week in Drone News: More leaks on the Mavic 3, a proposed drone operation to rescue dogs has been canceled due to the dogs disappearing, Mesa Airlines and drone delivery, and a new MicaSense RedEdge Camera

Mavic 3 / Mavic 3 Pro / Mavic 3 Cine

The Mavic 3 specs have been leaked ahead of the assumed Nov. 5th launch.

5.1K 50FPS, 4K 120FPS, 1080 200 FPS+, 20 MP

200MBPS H.264 & 140MBPS H.265

Cine can record Apple ProRes 422 HQ

The secondary camera is 12 MP and can record 4K 30

Mavic 3 Cine has 1 TB internal storage

Standard Mavic 3 has 8 GB

Micro SD up to 2TB are supported

4S 5000mAh LiPo battery, 46 minutes of flight time

OcuSync 3.0

Controller quality video is 1080P @ 30 or 60 FPS

https://dronexl.co/2021/10/26/mavic-3-specs-leaked-launch-dji-drone/

A-Team rescues dogs

Drone operations in Spain had been feeding dogs on a portion of the mountain surrounded by lava flows.

A plan was in place and operators received permission to fly their UAS to the dogs in an attempt to rescue them.

Once the plan was solidified and in place, the dogs disappeared.

The animals were apparently rescued by unknown persons who spray-painted a message “The dogs are fine. - The A-Team”.

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/21/1048003713/a-team-dogs-rescue-volcano-lava-la-palma-spain

Mesa Airlines and drone delivery

Mesa Air group has signed an agreement with Flirtey Eagle drones.

Mesa will be using these aircraft for nearly all delivery types but will start with commercial food and beverage deliveries.

So far, Mesa has purchased 4 sUAS for testing, with the option of 500 more.

With the purchase of these drones, Mesa becomes the first US-scheduled airline to launch a commercial drone delivery service.

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2021/10/21/mesa-air-group-first-scheduled-us-airline-launch-commercial-drone-delivery-service/

New MicaSense Camera

AgEagle, who we reported on last week is releasing a new MicaSense RedEdge-P sensor

This sensor is a multi-spectral and RGB sensor designed for spectral analysis of plants and has a larger spatial resolution than the previous RedEdge.

It is interesting to see this release only a week or so after AgEagle announced the purchase of SenseFly.

We may soon see MicaSense and ebee aircraft together!

https://www.suasnews.com/2021/10/ageagle-unveils-the-micasense-rededge-p-drone-sensor/

Drone news: FCC vs DJI, 8 Day UAS flight, AgEagle buys sensefly, Arizona Drone Fest Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

This week in drone news, the FCC has released a document discussing DJI as a security concern and the commissioner has called for a ban, an 8-day flight by an unmanned aircraft, AgEagle is purchasing senseFly from Parrot, and Arizona DroneFest 2021.

Parrot Anafi Thermal Deep dive: https://pilotinstitute.com/course/parrot-anafi-thermal-deep-dive/

FCC Commissioner calls for DJI ban

The FCC commissioner called for the process of adding DJI to the FCC’s covered list. This would prohibit the use of federal money from being used to purchase DJI equipment. “The FCC also has a proceeding underway examining whether to continue approving equipment from entities on the Covered List for use in the US, regardless of whether federal dollars are involved” The covered list is a list of companies whose products contain or pose an “unacceptable security risk” The FCC Commissioner also stated that additional consideration was required to “determine if other entities warrant closer scrutiny”

https://twitter.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/1450496145516544001/photo/1

8-Day UAS flight

Vanilla UAV has claimed the world record with an 8 day, 50-minute flight without refueling. Over 8 days, the aircraft flew a total of 10,600 NM before landing This is a fixed-wing UAS designed primarily for the military. The Vanilla is not an sUAS but is instead in the group 3 category - between 25 and 599kg. The Vanilla UAV has a payload of 68kg or 150lbs.

https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/vanilla-uav-claims-world-record-eight-day-flight-without-refuelling/145774.article

AgEagle to Aquire Sensefly

AgEagle Aerial Systems is purchasing senseFly from Parrot. senseFly is most widely known for the creation of the ebee (fixed wing Parrot stated that this sale was necessary to their future plans of focusing on quadcopter/multi-rotor aircraft. “Moving forward, Parrot will focus its expertise and resources on the growth of its professional quadcopter drone equipment and drone data analysis software activities. The transaction will provide additional cash and lower operational expends to drive Parrot’s growth and industry standing. With the expanded capabilities of the ANAFI line of professional drones and of the Pix4D software suites, Parrot will continue to address its core market segments: 3D Mapping, Surveying and Inspection, Agriculture, and Defense and Security.”

https://www.suasnews.com/2021/10/ageagle-to-acquire-sensefly-from-parrot/

Come visit us at AZ DroneFest!

This Saturday we’ll be at Grand Canyon University at the Arizona Drone Fest! Come by the booth, stop in for Greg’s talk on regulations @10am, meet the team, and get your registration stickers printed, fly the drone sim! General admission is free! We hope to see you there!

Drone News: New Blue UAS testing, Bird rescued with drone, Drug drone lands on police car, DJI 3s Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

This week in drone news, A new round of Blue UAS has started testing, a bird that was rescued using a drone, a drug-loaded large UAS lands on a police car, and DJI's latest announcement: Good things come in 3s.

Blue UAS 2.0 A new round of blue UAS testing has begun.

This round includes 11 vendors, such as Sense fly, Skydio, Harris Aerial, and Wingtra. The goal of this is to further expand the U.S. government’s ability to obtain sUAS that are effective in their mission goals. We reported recently about how Blue UAS are not measuring up to the standards set by other consumer aircraft, such as DJI. Hopefully, Blue UAS 2.0 will help to expand the available aircraft for the government. https://www.diu.mil/latest/new-streamlined-option-for-dod-organizations-to-access-UAS

Bird rescued by drone!

This took place in Peru, a bird was tangled in a string that was attached to an electrical wire. Using a Mavic Mini or Mini 2, police attached a razor blade and cut the string. The bird fell onto a nearby roof where it was captured and taken to a wildlife rehab center. This goes to show there are infinite uses for drones! https://www.yahoo.com/now/pigeon-stuck-high-voltage-cable-160619176.html

Drug-loaded drone lands on police car

A man in Georgia is facing charges after being found near a prison. The story gets more interesting when police noticed a drone that came and landed on top of the investigating deputy’s patrol car. This drone was loaded with drugs, cellphones, and other contraband. Police say the man was attempting to make a contraband drop at the prison. Looks to be a DJI Matrice 600 https://www.wrdw.com/2021/10/11/man-charged-after-contraband-carrying-drone-lands-deputys-patrol-car/

DJI's Good things come in 3s

Based on the image included in the post DroneXL is reporting that the likely release of products from DJI will be A DJI Osmo on October 20th The DJI Action 2 on October 27th The Mavic 3 on November 5th No more info as of now, but we’ll keep you posted! https://dronexl.co/2021/10/12/mavic-3-release-date-dji/

Drone News: Autel Nest, Drone shot down, Drone show fail, DJI rumors, new FAA safety course! Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

This week in drone news: A new product that houses the EVO 2 from Autel Robotics, drone shoot down in PA, drone show fail in China, rumors of new DJI drones, and a new Pilot Institute course on FAAsafety.gov

FAA Safety: https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_catalog.aspx

New videos! Intermediate

FPV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dw6ZIysrjo

ADS-B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeEohJoGAXw

It appears that Autel Robotics has developed an automated docking station for the EVO 2 line of aircraft. This system is called the EVO Nest Works with the EVO 2, EVO 2 RTK, and EVO 2 Enterprise series This keeps the drone charged and ready to fly 24/7 The drone takes-off and lands in the box where it is stored and charged IP54 certification The Nest takes 45 minutes to charge the aircraft

https://dronexl.co/2021/10/05/autel-evo-nest-drone-docking-station/

A man in Pennsylvania is facing charges after allegedly shooting down an inspection company’s drone. The business, Exelon Business Services was contracted to inspect power poles and lines. During the flight, the rPIC heard gunshots and lost contact with the aircraft. The aircraft was found in a trashcan behind the man’s house but he refused to discuss how it ended up there. State police state that the charges include criminal mischief worth more than $1,000 and that charges will be filed in the county courts.

https://www.pahomepage.com/news/local-news/sayre-man-allegedly-shoots-down-drone-charges-expected-to-be-filed/

A drone show in China experienced a major failure this week After lifting off, all 200 of the drones came down on top of people watching the show. Videos show the aircraft dropping out of the sky, however, it’s difficult to tell if they were descending or falling Luckily there were no injuries https://supchina.com/2021/10/05/drones-fall-from-the-sky-during-failed-performance-in-zhengzhou/

DJI Mini 3 - Some leaks suggest a DJI Mini 3 could be released in November! No pictures yet of the Mini 3 DroneXL is reporting that DJI actually reached out to deny that a new Mini series aircraft is in the works/will be released. Remember that DJI also denied the Mini SE would be available in the US and Europe DJI Mavic 3 - Lots of leaks, DroneXL is reporting that the release will be on October 20th. We’re very excited for these releases!

https://dronexl.co/2021/09/30/dji-mini-3-drone-november-15th/

https://dronexl.co/2021/10/04/mavic-3-retail-price-confirmed/

https://dronexl.co/2021/10/04/dji-mini-3-existence-denied/

We’ve got a new course, available only on FAAsafety.gov! This course is an interactive course discussing Aeronautical Decision Making for sUAS - ALC-723 This course IS available for wings credits and is 100% FREE! We’re working on more FAA safety courses geared towards drones. We put out two new videos this week, ADS-B and some Intermediate FPV maneuvers!

Drone News #60: Skydio's new X2 drone. UPS/Matternet. LAANC authorizations. Jul 22, 2020

Show notes

This week in Drone News: Skydio announces the X2D drone and a series of new software. UPS Flight Forward and Matternet expand their delivery network at hospitals. The CEO of Kittyhawk discusses an increase in LAANC authorization in the last 6 months.

Skydio's new drone : 00:43

Expanded delivery network for UPS/Matternet : 02:42

Increase in LAANC authorisations : 04:50

Now on Podcast : 06:21

Script/notes

Skydio Launches Skydio X2 commercial Drone

Skydio announced the launched of a new commercial drone called the X2.

Comes in two format: X2D and X2E

X2D: designed for the US Army as a reconnaissance drone

X2E: designed for first reponders and enterprise

Comes with a 360-deg camera and a FLIR system (320x256)12 MP photos, 35 minutes flight time, 6.2 mi range

Also comes with a new set of software, including 360 zooming, 180 vertical images for inspections, and scanning software.

Will start shipping 4th quarter of 2020.

Skydio also raised $100 million to speed up the development of their drones and marketing efforts.

https://dronelife.com/2020/07/13/skydios-x2-drones-ceo-adam-bry-talks-breakthrough-autonomy-and-100-million/

UPS Flight Forward expands

UPS Flight Forward is expanding its hospital delivery network with the helps of Matternet M2 drones.

They will carry patient specific and time/temperature sensitive medicine

They will also carry PPE to medical professionals.

This is happening in Wake Forest Baptist Health in North Carolina.

They have made more than 2200 deliveries so far (4400 flights)

Increase in LAANC authorization

Jon Hegranes, CEO and Co-founder of Kittyhawk, said that LAANC authorizations are hitting an old time high.

There have been over 320,000 LAANC authorizations granted with more authorizations granted this year than in the first 21 months of LAANC.

Over a third of all LAANC authorizations were granted in the first 6 months of 2020.

Drone News #59: Drone/Helo near miss. UFO or drone? FAA/AUVSI Symposium Recap (incl. Remote ID update) Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

This week in Drone News: A near miss between a drone and a police helicopter in Tusla, OK. A video submitted by one of our students showing a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object). And a length recap of the AUVSI/FAA Symposium including Remote ID information from the FAA's Jay Merkel and Administrator Dickson, the newly announced FAA Drone WINGS (or Drone PROPS) program and other things.

Timing

Helicopter coming too close : 00:54
Drone-UFO : 02:44
FAA/AUVSI Symposium: 3:56

Links
- Get your own Pilot Institute T-shirt or Long Sleeve T: https://amzn.to/30CLtBw
- Part 107 Made Easy: the most comprehensive ground school online. https://bit.ly/2AkRWq0
- Drone Business Made Easy: start your drone business with a solid foundation. https://bit.ly/3dVT55T
- Drone Flying 101: the perfect course for beginners. https://bit.ly/2XUy3Pc
- Drone Maneuvers Mastery: become a better pilot with these 50 maneuvers designed to improve your flying skills. https://bit.ly/3hkWkG3
- Cinematic FPV Drone From Scratch: build your own cinematic machine with this course. https://bit.ly/37oOfeG

Script/Notes:

Near-miss between drone and police Helicopter

Captured in Tulsa during a procession.
Looks like an inspire 2 heading toward a helicopter and getting prop washed.
https://ktul.com/news/local/a-near-miss-with-a-drone-and-a-crash-on-the-turnpike-heightens-stress-on-law-enforcement

Drone or UFO?

Breanna, who is one of our graduates (98% on the exam!!) shared this video she took from her backyard.
Thought it was firework at first.
Then after a while, the lights shut off. She said the lights also turned blue at one point.

FAA/AUVSI Symposium

Jay Merkle: Final Ruling is pretty much done, going through the review stage before release to the public.
FAA Administrator Dickson: “service providers”
WINGS Program for Drone Pilots
182k remote pilots as of 7/1/20
Shoutout to Kevin Morris, the FAA Drone Guy, and the team of other FAA inspector including John, who I know watches every week!

Drone News #58: DJI Mavic 3. SFAR Extension. Parrot Anafi USA. Drone Rescue Map Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

This week in drone news, we discuss a Mavic 3 rumor that wasn’t really a rumor. We talk about FAA extending the Special Federal Aviation Regulation until September. We go over the new Parrot Anafi USA and how Parrot’s CEO, Henri Seydoux, unexpectedly slammed DJI in public. And lastly, we will show you a map of drone rescues over the world.

Timeline

0:42 The Mavic 3 rumor that never was
1:27 FAA Special FAR is extended until September 2020.
3:55 Parrot releases Anafi USA and slams DJI
7:18 A map showing all the drone rescues in the world

Drone Training

- Get your own Pilot Institute T-shirt or Long Sleeve T: https://amzn.to/30CLtBw
- Part 107 Made Easy: the most comprehensive ground school online. https://bit.ly/2AkRWq0
- Drone Business Made Easy: start your drone business with a solid foundation. https://bit.ly/3dVT55T
- Drone Flying 101: the perfect course for beginners. https://bit.ly/2XUy3Pc
- Drone Maneuvers Mastery: become a better pilot with these 50 maneuvers designed to improve your flying skills. https://bit.ly/3hkWkG3
- Cinematic FPV Drone From Scratch: build your own cinematic machine with this course. https://bit.ly/37oOfeG

Script/Notes

Mavic 3 rumor that never was

This week, DroneXL reported that the Mavic 3 was expected to be released at the end of September based on images that surfaced online.

As it turns out, the images were part of another existing DJI agro drone called the T16.

So we will have to wait a little longer for a release date for the Mavic 3!

Extension of Special FAR

The FAA has extended its special FAR that was issued a few months ago to deal with COVID shutdowns.

Remote Pilot whose privileges are due to expire between March and September (previously June) can renew online.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/29/2020-13960/limited-extension-of-relief-for-certain-persons-and-operations-during-the-coronavirus-disease-2019

Parrot Anafi USA

Two weeks ago, we discussed the new Parrot Anafi “rugged version”. More information was release this week from Parrot.

It’s called the Parrot Anafi USA because it was designed for the US Army.

Equipped with 3 cams:

32x zoom 2 cameras 21-MP cam claiming to see from 3.1 mi.

FLIR camera coupled with the zoom.

500 gram, quiet (79 dB), ready in 55 seconds and all-weather.

Something unexpected came out of the release when Henri Seydoux, the CEO of Parrot, openly slammed DJI publicly by claiming that a version of DJI Go was silently modified after data leaks were supposedly found.

DJI responded by saying the data was not for the DJI Go app but for its Osmo device (DJI Mimo app) and the information was not leaked but going to a third-party provider to share footage.

Drone Rescues Maps

Drones are used for good daily in the world.

DJI has compiled a map of all drone rescues in the world

130 in the US, 63 in Europe, 23 in Asia, 14 in Latin America

https://dronelife.com/2020/06/29/dji-drone-rescue-map/

Drone News #57: Remote ID Drone Advisory Committee report. FAA Registration Update Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

This week in drone news, we discuss a recap of the Drone Advisory Committee held on June 19, 2020. Remote ID and UTM were hot topics discussed along with recommended changes to the drone culture. In the second part of the video, we discuss an update from the FAA regarding your hobbyist registration.

Timestamps

0:40 DAC Meeting Recap
11:07 FAA Registration update

Drone Training

Drone Advisory Committee

Drone Advisory Committee met last Friday and it was broadcasted live.

Final rule in Dec 2020 for Remote ID

I have to be a little cynical. This means that the FAA already went through the 50,000 comments that were left in the NPRM, in about 60 working days. That’s over 800 comments per day.

There was discussions about the need for a UTM and I detected a hint at wanting to know where UAS are, even in uncontrolled airspace.

Joe DePete, the president of ALPA took a large part of the meeting congratulating his team mates for coming up with pillar of operation that, in my opinion, are already in place for most serious commercial UAS pilots.

I applaud the push for a learning-focused environment but…

He kept bragging about the safety records for the airlines (which is indeed great) but also he showed a serious lack of understanding of the UAS industry.

While I appreciate that manned aircraft organizations are trying to bring the safety culture (I do the same with our PI courses), their lack of credentials in the UAS world reduces their credibility drastically.

Brendan Schulman from DJI is the only one who spoke for UAS operators in the field by reminding everyone in the DAC that the industry had a perfect record thus far with no fatalities and hundreds of millions of flight conducted.

Sadly, no talk from the AMA representative for the FPV community.

FAA Registration for Hobbyists

The FAA released a statement saying that the first batch of registration that was recently extended to December 12, 2020 will expire soon.

Initially, back in 2016, Hobbyists had to register. Then they didn’t, and then they had to again. For those who initially registered but didn’t ask for their money back, the FAA had extended registration until December 12, 2020.

Registration can be renewed within 180 days so you can login today to the FAA drone Zone and renew yours.

The registration number will remain the same, and

The new expiration will be December 12, 2023 (3 more years).

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