This week in drone news: Amazon is starting drone deliveries this year, A small drone was found crashed near a runway in Arkansas, the proposed drone act of 2022, drone safety awareness day, and a new Pilot Institute course!

Amazon plans to begin deliveries in northern California this year the company announced this week

Prime Air drones will carry packages that weigh up to 5lbs and are shoe-box sized or smaller

The drone will hover ~10 feet over the ground to drop the package and will find this spot via a QR code printed by the customer.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-13/amazon-plans-to-start-drone-delivery-in-california-this-year

A small drone was found crashed near a runway at Boone County Regional Regional Airport in Arkansas

The drone is a “Skyrider” and models cost ~$50. The aircraft was not registered

The airport manager stated “Our airport is in a Class E airspace. A drone is not allowed to go zero feet within four miles of our airport and can then go up to 400 feet after that,” said Boone County Regional Airport Manager Judy McCutcheon according to KY3. “That covers the entire city limits of Harrison, Arkansas, with the exception of the far southeast side. That is a no drone sight unless you are a 107 drone operator, and get permission with the FAA before you fly.”

https://dronexl.co/2022/06/13/recreational-drone-runway/

This bill in the US House of Rep. seeks to cover malicious use of drones, including

Weaponization of UAS

Impairment of identification or lighting

Interfering with protected activities (Operations of aircraft, airports, vessels, vehicles, law enforcement, or military ops)

Operating in restricted airspace with knowledge of the prohibition

Transportation of contraband

Threats, attempts, or conspiracies of the above

Terrorism and electronic surveillance

Penalties for injuries/death based on above infractions

This law would allow DHS to prosecute certain offenses in the same manner as the FAA

https://www.justice.gov/ola/page/file/1465976/download

New paid course from PI! 

Learn the elements of photography from Greg and our guest instructors Billy Kyle and Ken Dobo!