UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air Mobility

A rescue drone with 2-way voice radio capability, using trained bees and drones to find landmines, telehealth drones that visit your home, quadcopters that work together to deliver large packages, and delivering lifejackets for water rescues.

UAV News

Two Way Radio for Drones Means Rescuers Can Hear a Cry for Help

A rescue drone can be used to find you, but what if you could talk back to the rescue drone? Dotterel Technologies has a 2-way radio solution that could aid in search and rescue. This would allow a conversation with the person being searched for, or even the ability to listen for a cry for help to locate someone. A highly directional microphone array and real-time processor make this possible.

Video: Dotterel Aerial Audio – World’s First UAV with Two-Way Communication

How bees and drones team up to find landmines

Old landmines are a serious problem in some areas of the world. According to Landmine Monitor, 6,897 people were killed or injured by mines and explosive remnants of war in 2018. There are an estimated 80,000 landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina and about 30,000 in Croatia.

The mines are difficult to find, however, bees can be trained to detect the scent of the explosives with their antennae. Now a team from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia have found a way to use drones to capture video of the bees that can be analyzed to indicate where landmines may be hidden in the ground.

New UC telehealth drone makes house calls

Telehealth has grown tremendously during the pandemic. But not everybody has the Internet. Now four Inventors from three colleges at the University of Cincinnati have collaborated to develop a semi-autonomous prototype drone that can be sent to people’s homes. The small quadcopters use navigational algorithms developed by UC engineers to maneuver inside a home.

Control System Helps Several Drones Team Up to Deliver Heavy Packages

A Georgia Tech Indoor Flight Lab is using multiple drones to lift a heavy package. A control algorithm directs a team of small drones. They measure thrust and altitude to estimate the weight of the package and could even be sent to your location to pick up a large package. The demonstration used four drones, but the control algorithm isn’t limited to that number. This solution might be better than a fleet of drones of different sizes and lift capacity. In many ways, controlling a group of connected drones is more difficult than controlling a swarm of robots that fly independently.

Video: Small drones work together to lift and deliver packages

Sheriff drones can now deliver lifejackets during water rescues

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s office announced they can deliver lifejackets to swimmers in need. A small quadcopter carries the lifejacket on a short tether and a button on the controller lets the officer drop the life jacket. The drone remains in the air some distance above the swimmer. This is part of their Water Safety Campaign. Video on Instagram.

UAV Video of the Week

Drone captures images of a reindeer ‘cyclone’

The video shows reindeer circling in a protective group with the fawns in the center. For more see Reindeer Cyclones Are Real, and You Definitely Don’t Want to Get Caught in One.

Video: This drone footage shows a reindeer cyclone in all its glory

An AI-based mesh network drone delivery test, Navy destroyers swarmed by drones, an Amazon double-coupon deal, an attritable Bell cargo UAV, a first amendment drone case, the target drone on the beach, drones replacing fireworks.

UAV NewsAI-based system to support world’s first mesh network drone delivery test

Airwayz is participating in a unique technology test in Israel where delivery drones will use AI and operate in mesh networks. Previous studies have used drone corridors, but that limits the number of delivery drones, doesn’t scale to commercial volumes, and if a part of the corridor goes down, the corridor fails. A mesh system doesn’t have these limitations. However, a human cannot manage a mesh network so AI is needed at each drone for quick decision-making.

Multiple Destroyers Were Swarmed By Mysterious ‘Drones’ Off California Over Numerous Nights

In July 2019, as many as six drones pursued the ships and performed “brazen maneuvers.” An investigation included elements of the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Drive conducted their own investigation using iInformation not previously public that was disclosed through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Amazon double coupon deal cuts this awesome foldable 4K camera drone to just $60

The Tomzon D25 4K Camera Drone is listed on Amazon.com at $99.99 but at this time, Amazon is offering a $20 coupon, applied at checkout. BGR says you can apply the coupon code TOMZOND25 at checkout for another $20 off, making the final price $59.99. Note that Amazon states “Coupons are valid for a limited time only. Amazon reserves the right to modify or cancel coupons at any time.”

Bell sees its APT cargo UAV as being attritable in combat

Bell believes it can produce the APT (Autonomous Pod Transport) at a low enough price that it could be considered “attritable.” The APT is a tail-sitting VTOL that uses a battery and 4 electric motors. An internal combustion engine would be more complex, less reliable, and louder.

Drone Operator Grounded by Self-interested Government Board Fights Back

The North Carolina the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors claims that conducting an aerial survey with a drone constitutes surveying without a license. The Board is warning drone operators they may face criminal prosecution. But drone entrepreneur Michael Jones is fighting back saying his images and maps were not being used to set legal boundaries. Instead, they were for informational purposes. Jones claims creating and sharing information is speech protected by the First Amendment and he’s filed a federal lawsuit with the Institute for Justice.

Military drone washed ashore on beach

It’s a U.S. Air Force BQM-167A Aerial Target drone that is usually recovered from the ocean.

Drone shows coming to OC this summer, replacing firework shows

Ocean City, Maryland has frequent fireworks shows during the summer. Now they are planning to replace the fireworks with drones for many of those shows. But not to fear, fireworks will appear for the 4th of July.

UAV Video of the WeekJames Gunn offers viral drone video cinematographer a gig in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3

That bowling alley drone guy? It may have paid off. Director James Gunn offered Jay Christensen an opportunity with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. When Gunn saw the viral video, he said on Twitter, “Oh my God this drone shot is stupendous,” and in another tweet, “I want them to come with us to London later this year when we shoot Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” To which Christensen replied, “What’s up James. I shot this.” Gunn may or may not have been serious.

Video: The light in the night!

Video: Iceland volcano: Drone footage captures stunning up-close view of eruption

Anthony Quintano Photography on Instagram and Twitter.

A drone company files a Remote ID lawsuit against the FAA over the rules going into effect next month, EASA publishes a drone incident manual for European airports, MIT builds tiny insect-inspired drones, Erickson plans an optionally-piloted S-64 Aircrane, and another spectacular video of the week.

UAV NewsFAA Announces Effective Dates for Final Drone Rules

The final rules go into effect on April 21, 2021, that require remote identification of drones, allow some flights over people and moving vehicles, and permit flights at night under certain conditions. Before flying under the new provisions a remote pilot must pass the updated initial knowledge test or complete the appropriate updated online training course.

RaceDayQuads LLC v. FAA (Lawsuit Challenging Drone Remote Identification Regulations)

RaceDayQuads (RDQ) filed a lawsuit against the FAA in Federal court. They believe some provisions of the Remote ID rule will have “devastating effects on our hobby and on all of RC flight.” 

“This case is about protecting the constitutional rights and freedom to fly of millions of active drone and model aviation hobbyists by upholding the rule of law through challenging the FAA’s illegal law in court.”“RDQ and Tyler Brennan are defending our constitutional rights and freedom by confronting the FAA’s rulemaking as violating multiple constitutional protections and rampant with unlawful arbitrary and capricious decision making, some of which was done intentionally behind closed doors out of the eyes of the public. Everyone is under the rule of law -including the FAA. The FAA is not free to differ from what the law requires.”RaceDayQuads Press Release

Specifically, “RDQ’s goal is to allow current and future drone and model aviation hobbyists to continue flying safely:

• without the need to broadcast their information 
• or be inhibited by any regulation which fails to comply with constitutional protections, 
• fails to follow rulemaking procedures, 
• fails to listen to the comments of those the rule would affect, 
• is founded upon inaccurate risk assessments and data, 
• or fails to provide an overall benefit to the American people.”

The Petition for Review was filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on March 12, 2021. RDQ was represented by Law Offices of Yodice Associates of Potomac, MD, Rupprecht Law of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, and Parlatore Law Group of Washington, DC.

From the RDQ website: RDQ vs. FAA – RaceDayQuads and FAA Legal Battle – Challenging Remote ID. For more information, follow the UAV Law News & Discussion group on Facebook.

EASA issues guidelines for management of drone incidents at airports

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published the 35-page “Drone Incident Management at Aerodromes” (PDF) manual. It provides guidance to help aviation operators and national authorities address unauthorized drone usage near airports. This is Part 1: The challenge of unauthorised drones in the surroundings of aerodromes. The other two parts are addressed to those parties involved in the management of these incidents.

MIT’s insect-sized drones are built to survive collisions

Generally, the smaller you make a drone, the more fragile it is. Insects, on the other hand, are very resilient for their size. The MIT lab recognised that if you are going to design an insect-sized drone, it needs to survive a collision. While older designs used rigid ceramic-based materials, the newer designs are built with soft actuators made with carbon nanotube-coated rubber cylinders that elongate when electricity is applied. These are used to simulate beating wings.

Erickson rebuilding Air Crane as potentially pilotless combat logistics helicopter

Erickson is considering upgrading the S-64 Aircrane helicopter to make it an optionally piloted combat cargo transport. Adding the Sikorsky Matrix retrofit autonomy kit to become the S-64F+, the helicopter would remove the risk to pilots during nighttime operation through mountainous terrain.

UAV Video of the Week: 

If you liked the FPV bowling video, here’s more by the same pilot

See other Videos by Jay Christensen from the Rally Studios production company in Minneapolis at his jaybyrdfilms YouTube channel.

Video: Movie Night FPV

The American Security Drone Act of 2021 incorporates drone detection and mitigation systems, an RFI is released for an MQ-9 Reaper replacement, one drone is on Mars and another is planned for Titan, the Choctaw Nation partners with the FAA, and US drone registrations plummet.

UAV NewsUncovering the legality and security of radio frequency based drone detection systems – 5 questions to ask technology providers

U.S. laws and regulations restrict what the public can do for drone detection and mitigation. To help non-federal public and private entities navigate federal laws and regulations, the Department of Justice, FAA, Department of Homeland Security, and the FCC published Advisory on the Application of Federal Laws to the Acquisition and Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The bipartisan American Security Drone Act of 2021 would modify the American Security Drone Act of 2019 to incorporate drone detection and mitigation systems.

MQ-9 Reaper Replacement Requirements Now Include Air-To-Air Capability In Contested Airspace

The U.S. Air Force has released a request for information for the MQ-Next program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper. The Air Force seeks a drone with defensive counter-air capabilities so it can protect high-value manned aircraft, like tankers, and potentially fly red air aggressor missions. A previous RFI from June 2020 focused on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike capabilities. The scope of the RFI is now expanded.

NASA preparing to fly Ingenuity Mars drone, enabling future airborne missions

Ingenuity flights are expected to begin in 30-60 days with a flight window is planned to last 30 days. The first flight is planned to be a simple 20-30 second low altitude hover test before landing with longer flights to follow. The Dragonfly large drone is set to launch in 2027 and land on Saturn’s largest moon Titan in 2036.

FAA, Choctaw Nation Team Up to Advance UAS

The FAA and the Choctaw Nation have partnered to study how UAS can best transport cargo, including parcels, at lower altitudes. The FAA’s Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC), signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The two will study human factors, supply chain management, and air traffic control using a virtual simulated urban environment. One goal of the MOU is to promote interest in STEM programs for students seeking possible careers in aerospace.

Drone Registrations With FAA Plummet By 50%

The total number of recreational flyer registrations and commercial-registered drones were aircraft 1,746,248 in December 2020. A large number of drone registrations expired in December 2020, after the three-year registration period. The FAA is continuing to review the registration data and plans to launch a drone registration information and awareness campaign later this year.

UAV Video of the week 

Right Up Our Alley

Remote Identification from the eyes of different stakeholders, the Speed Racer is revealed, a buyer’s guide to drones for beginners, wet drones in Scotland, saving dolphins in New Zealand, Skyborg is coming this summer, and rogue drone detection and mitigation.

UAV NewsHow You Fly Determines Where You Stand: A RID Comparative

The final remote identification rule differed from the NPRM, and this article examines how the rule impacts different stakeholders, including service suppliers, drone service providers and operators, security agencies, hobby and recreational users, foreign-registered drones, designers, and producers.

Skunk Works Reveals Speed Racer Configuration

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has provided some information about their secretive air-launched UAS. The Speed Racer has a hexagonal fuselage with folding and swept wings and two canted aft dorsal tails and one ventral tail. In a company video, the Speed Racer was launched by what looks like a Beechcraft 1900D.

7 Best Drones for Beginners: Your Buyer’s Guide

This article proposed some beginner drones ranging in price from $45 to $330.

Scottish police slammed over non-waterproof drone purchase

Scottish police chiefs purchased $83,000 worth of DJI Matrice 210 drones to help locate missing people and to lower response times. The problem is the Matrice 210 isn’t designed to fly in the rain and 16 of them have crashed flying in wet weather. DJI says the Matrice 210 is certified to an IP43 rating which is insufficient in the rain.

New Zealand Supporting Drone Project to Monitor Rare DolphinsHigh hopes: drones join fight to save New Zealand’s rarest dolphin

The Māui Drone Project will use drones to monitor and protect the Maui dolphin, one of the world’s rarest marine mammals. It is estimated that there are only 63 adult members of the species left. The fixed-wing VTOL drones will find and track Maui dolphins, fly over them without disturbing them, and collect data on their habitat, population size and other behaviors. In testing, the drone can distinguish Māui dolphins from other species with over 90% accuracy, using AI technology. The one-year project is a collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the MAUI63 nonprofit wildlife organization, and the World Wildlife Fund-New Zealand.  

Video from WWF New Zealand: MAUI63 Drone Launch

USAF to flight test Skyborg autonomous system at Orange Flag this summer

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing the Skyborg autonomous aircraft. The program is in its early development phase but ultimately Skyborg technology will be incorporated into UAVs that are considered expendable in combat. The technology will be tested during Orange Flag exercises this summer. AFRL has contracted with Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to develop the prototypes.

FAA Selects Five Host Airports to Test and Evaluate Unmanned Aircraft Detection and Mitigation Systems

The FAA has selected five host airports to evaluate technologies and systems that could detect and mitigate potential safety risks posed by unmanned aircraft. The effort is part of the FAA’s Airport Unmanned Aircraft Systems Detection and Mitigation Research Program. Researchers plan to test and evaluate at least 10 technologies or systems at these airports. 

See the news release: FAA to Test and Evaluate Unmanned Aircraft Detection & Mitigation Equipment at Airports.

Testing will begin in 2021 and continue through 2023 to create standards for future unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation technologies at airports around the country. The FAA selected the following airports:

• Atlantic City International Airport in Atlantic City, New Jersey
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York
• Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio
• Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, Alabama
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Washington

How to become a drone test administrator, Ingenuity phones home from Mars, lessons of the dot-com crash and the eVTOL market, a Skunk Works “Speed Racer,” Naval resupply with an autonomous UAS, and a new animated drone show record.

UAV NewsThe FAA wants you… to be a drone test administrator

The FAA developed a 3-step process to implement a nation-wide system to train and test all recreational drone pilots. Test content development and test administration is complete, now the FAA needs volunteers to become an FAA Approved Test Administrator of The Recreational UAS Safety Test (FAA Approved TA TRUST). The FAA is inviting interested parties to submit applications to become testers and will announce selected test administrators in June 2021.

See: FAA Seeks TRUST Administrators for Drone Pilot Test and Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test Updates.

The first helicopter on Mars phones home after Perseverance rover landing

The Ingenuity helicopter that was carried to Mars by the Perseverance rover is successfully communicating with controllers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A series of battery charging cycles will take place, then the helicopter will be released by the rover. A 30-day experimental flight test window will follow. The JPL said, “If Ingenuity succeeds in taking off and hovering during its first flight, over 90 percent of the project’s goals will have been achieved. If the rotorcraft lands successfully and remains operable, up to four more flights could be attempted, each one building on the success of the last.”

Entering the era of peak uncertainty for eVTOLs

Is the emerging air mobility market repeating the scenario that took place before the dot-com crash? Valuations are not connected to market fundamentals, we see significant technology trends, and an there is an inability to distinguish fact from hype. Also, power sources and capacities are not established, and viable eVTOL applications are not uncertain. Will people embrace UAM and who will be the corporate winners and losers? The crystal ball is cloudy.

Secretive New Skunk Works UAS Set For Ground Testing Soon

The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is about to start ground testing the “Speed Racer.” The name is an acronym, but its meaning is unknown. The vehicle is part of the StarDrive initiative where the U.S. Air Force wants to unite digital engineering tools for the design, manufacturing, and sustainment phases of new weapon systems. Lockheed intends that StarDrive will reduce the time and cost of producing and operating new flight vehicles for the military. 

Navy Tests Autonomous Aerial Supply Drone From Its Newest Supercarrier

On Feb. 21, 2021, the U.S. Navy demonstrated a small, autonomous VTOL unmanned aircraft that delivered “light-weight logistical equipment” to the USS Gerald R. Ford. The payload was transported from the Mid Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to the Ford. The Blue Water UAS was commercially procured in October 2020. It’s a version of the Skyways V2.5 Hybrid-Electric that features an AI-driven flight system, maximum range of 500 miles, and maximum payload of 30 pounds.

UAV Video of the Week

Hundreds of drones took Van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night’ to the skies — and set a Guinness World Record

Six hundred drones told the story of Van Gogh’s life in the night sky over China’s Tianjin Municipality, setting a Guinness World Record for the longest animation performed by unmanned aerial vehicles – 26 minutes and 19 seconds. The display was created by drone production company EFYI Group, along with Tianjin University.

Video: Unbelievable DRONE display – Guinness World Records

DJI’s new FPV drone, Super Bowl drone incursions, Major League Baseball drone incursions, drones at the Daytona 500, and UAS given to law enforcement.

UAV NewsDJI’s breakthrough controller, other new FPV details emerge

There’s a new DJI FPV drone on the way. Based on DroneDJ sources, the drone will have some kind of joystick-style controller. Maybe included, maybe an accessory. The controller could provide intuitive control for pitch, roll, yaw, and thrust. The DJI FPV drone with a joystick controller should be easier to learn than standard FPV control with sticks.

Related:

Breaking: DJI FPV drone accidentally put up for pre-order on Amazon UK

DJI’s unannounced FPV drone is already the star of a complete unboxing video

Video: Unboxing the Unreleased DJI FPV Drone Combo

Florida Man Flies Drone Near Tampa Super Bowl Activities, Faces 1 Year In Prison

A 33-year old man has been charged with violating national defense airspace. FBI agents caught him flying near the Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, inside the Super Bowl LV TFR. It seems he operated the drone BVLOS and he also flew his drone over people and moving vehicles. The man said he is an FAA-licensed remote pilot UAS operator and that he was aware of the TFR.

Second Florida Man Charged With Flying Drone Near Pre-Super Bowl Events

Another 33-year old man who busted the TFR also told agents that he is an FAA-licensed drone pilot and he was aware of the temporary flight restriction.

Sheriff’s office warns of more than 70 Super Bowl LV drone intrusions

Florida’s Hillsborough County sheriff said there been more than 70 drone intrusions from people wanting to capture an aerial view of the Super Bowl. 

As Drones Take Off, MLB Has to Play Defense

Five Major League Baseball games were interrupted by rogue drones in 2020. Mike McCormick, legal counsel for the Stadium Managers Association said, “It’s become a significant factor in the whole security conversation with stadiums.” Demand is growing for drone detection systems.

Daytona 500: Fox Sports Extends Use of ‘Megalodon,’ Improves Drones for NASCAR Season

Fox Sports has been using drones for event coverage. Their FPV racing drone is capable of 85 mph, carries a Dream Chip camera, and is operated by production company Beverly Hills Aerials. A heavy-lift drone is equipped with a Sony HDC-P50 4K camera.

DJI and Draganfly Tried to Use the Pandemic to Get Law Enforcement to Use More Drones

Unknown to the Trader Joe’s in Westport, Connecticut, a police department captain used a drone to observe shoppers as they were lined up outside the store. The officer was observing social distancing, and looking for high temperature and increased heart rate. The shoppers were not told this was going to happen.

A week later, the “Flatten the Curve Pilot Program” was unveiled in collaboration with Draganfly, the Canadian drone company. The program was due to last through the summer but public outcry changed that plan and the program was canceled less than 48 hours later.

The Documenting COVID-19 project at Columbia University’s Brown Institute for Media Innovation reports that police departments in multiple states were given or loaned surveillance technology from Draganfly and DJI. The drones were fitted with thermal cameras and intercoms to disperse crowds and broadcast coronavirus information. In some cases, the drones were equipped with health vitals monitors

UAV Video of the Week: 

Drone footage captures eagle rays near Woodgate

Justin Woodgate and his father were visiting Woodgate in Australia. When they stopped for a break, they saw fins breaking the surface.

Video: Marine Life in the Bundaberg/Woodgate Beach Region

United Airlines plans to provide eVTOL service, hydrogen transportation for fuel cell UAVs, flying an uncrewed aircraft through a hurricane, drones meet law enforcement and privacy, and drones for STEM.

UAV NewsUnited First Major Airline to Move on Electric Planes Starting with Uber-Like Service to Airports

United Airlines plans to have a role in the urban air mobility market with “last mile” transportation between airports and urban destinations using low-emission electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The United eVTOL will be developed by partner Archer and carry four passengers up to 60 miles at speeds up to 150 miles per hour. United and regional affiliate Mesa Airlines have committed to purchase up to 200 of the planes in a deal valued at $1 billion.

High-Pressure Valve Developed for UAV Hydrogen Transportation

Without a special rated valve, transportation of full UAV-compatible hydrogen cylinders is not permitted. In the EU, the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED) specifies the safety requirements for transportable pressure equipment used exclusively for the transport of dangerous goods (Class 2) within the Union. Transportable pressure equipment is required to bear the Pi marking to indicate compliance with the directive. The US DoT also has a similar requirement.

Intelligent Energy, which offers hydrogen fuel cell modules and accessories for UAVs, developed the rated Pressure Tech CV414 valve. With it, you can transport full cylinders of hydrogen for powering drones. Andy Kelly, Head of UAV Product Development at Intelligent Energy says, “Now full UAV compatible cylinders can be transported; the next logical step is to get them delivered directly to our customers. We want it to be as straightforward as ordering barbecue gas and getting empty cylinders collected.”

Promotional video: Fuel cell power for UAVs

Drones That Hunt Hurricanes – NOAA Puts Some To The Test

Last month, NOAA scientists launched a small research drone from a Hurricane Hunter plane to collect weather data used for hurricane forecasts. The Altius-600 uncrewed aircraft created by Area-I was adapted for sampling weather data, can fly up to four hours and up to 265 miles, and is not recoverable after being used in a storm.

nAn Altius uncrewed research drone similar to those being tested by scientists aboard NOAA Hurricane Hunters. Courtesy of Area-I via NOAA.

The Altius-600 is the first of three small uncrewed aircraft systems NOAA is testing. The research supports NOAA’s Uncrewed Systems Strategy to expand the use of uncrewed systems. The development and testing of the uncrewed systems is also supported by NOAA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program.

Florida Legislation Could Bolster Police Use of Drones

State Senate Bill 44 unanimously passed the Florida Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee. It expands the use of drones by law enforcement and government agencies. Under the bill, drones could be used to assist with traffic management (but not to issue a ticket based on images or video captured by a drone), assist in collecting evidence at a crime scene or traffic crash scene. assess damage after natural disasters, and assist fire department personnel. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has raised privacy concerns. The bill is under review by the Senate’s Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee.

Drones for Schools: The North Carolina Educator UAS Cohort is a Model that Works

The North Carolina Educators UAS Cohort (NCEUASC) provides educators with support and training so they can effectively adopt drones as a tool in a STEAM curriculum. The Cohort provided all members with a Tello EDU fly more kit, as well as a one-year membership to drone curriculum provider DroneBlocks. The UAS Cohort is a partnership between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, the North Carolina DOT, Nine Ten Drones, STEMERALD City, and media partner, Dronelife. In May 2021, the NCEUASC will be hosting a virtual competition for North Carolina students.

Urban airports for drones as a service, FAA UTM transparency, a new Transportation secretary, drones that self-monitor airworthiness, domestic actions against Chinese drones, and the Superbowl no-fly zone.

UAV NewsHyundai Passenger Drones Need Urban Infrastructure: Urban Air Port® Air-One® is the eVTOL Operational Hub

A UK company called urban-Air Port aims to develop “the world’s smallest airport,” aa a “one stop shop for drones and eVTOL.” The company says, “We provide innovative ground infrastructure as a service for Future Air Mobility. An ultra-compact, rapidly deployable, multi-functional operations hub for manned and unmanned vehicles providing aircraft command and control, charging/refuelling, cargo and passenger loading, and other mission specific facilities.” Video: Urban airports: the future of urban aviation

FAA Could Improve Communication on UTM Programme

A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommends that the FAA provide more UTM information to stakeholders. The GAO says stakeholders need a better understanding of the timeline for planning purposes. Also, stakeholders would benefit from knowing the goals and metrics of the FAA plans for UTM testing and implementation. The GAO is recommending that FAA provide stakeholders with additional information on the timing and substance of UTM testing and implementation efforts using FAA’s UTM website or other appropriate means, and develop performance goals and measures for its UTM implementation plan.

What Secretary Pete’s confirmation means for drone regulation

Pete Buttigieg is the new Department of Transportation secretary and some are speculating if policy will change with regard to unmanned aircraft. As a previous mayor, Buttigieg embraced autonomous vehicle technology and drove initiatives to position South Bend as a testbed for drones and wireless technology.

Fit2Fly Aims to Make Future Drones Safe and Reliable

If drones flights are to become commonplace, they need to self-detect problems inflight. The NASA Fit2Fly program seeks to develop technologies for drones that allow this and transmit the situation to other drone operators.

The Legal Aspects of Banning Chinese Drone Technology

Last year, DJI donated at least 100 drones to more than 40 U.S. law enforcement and public safety departments. Against the background of the government issued warnings and even prohibitions against Chinese drones, some people are calling for federal inquiries into DJI’s drone giveaway. This article examines the issues.

60-mile-wide ‘no drone zone’ planned for Super Bowl Sunday; violators could face $30,000 fine

Restrictions for the 2021 Superbowl include a 30-mile radius “no drone zone” around the event. See https://www.faa.gov/superbowl/ for more information that applies to manned and unmanned aircraft.

UAV Video of the Week: 

Big Sur video shows what it’s like driving up to gaping hole in Hwy. 1 – and flying over it

Highway 1 in California was heavily damaged after recent rains. This aerial video from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office shows the extent of the destruction.

The Mars Helicopter Ingenuity travels to the Red Planet, UK Defence innovation criticized, Black Swift and GPS-denied navigation, online drone education, unmanned loyal wingman for the UK, Coke and Coffee drone promotion, and researching the impact of drones on ducks.

UAV News6 Things to Know About NASA’s Mars Helicopter on Its Way to Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover is scheduled to land on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021. It’s carrying Ingenuity, the Mars Helicopter in what NASA calls it “a technology experiment.” If successful, it will be the first powered, controlled flight on Mars.

Video: NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter: Attempting the First Powered Flight on Mars

Theseus, Daedalus and Icarus

Wavell Room argues that “UK Defence is well behind the curve” with respect to its Project Theseus for autonomous resupply on the battlefield.

NOAA Awards Black Swift Technologies Contract to Develop GPS-Denied Navigation for Drones

Loss of positioning signal (like GPS or GNSS) is an urgent situation for a drone. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a contract to Black Swift Technologies. The company provides a commercially viable system that allows UAVs to navigate when GPS is not available. Black Swift plans to use a secondary navigation option with their diverse-source global positioning system (DS-GPS).

ODOT offers free online drone course

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is offering self-paced online courses for residents of Ohio. Sign up for the UAS Awareness Course or UAS Remote Pilot Certification Training at the ODOT website.

The United Kingdom Has Chosen Who Will Build Its First Prototype Loyal Wingman Combat Drone

The Royal Air Force says by 2023 they should have a prototype loyal wingman-type UAV flying. A $41 million contract for the prototype “uncrewed fighter aircraft” was awarded to Spirit AeroSystems as head of Project Mosquito. The drones would work together semi-autonomously with manned aircraft, such as the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35B Lightning, and the future Tempest stealth fighter.

Walmart perks up Coke promotion with drones

Coca-Cola has a new product line: Coca-Cola with Coffee. As part of the promotion, Coca-Cola and Walmart have teamed up where Walmart will provide drone-based home delivery to select consumers in Coffee County, Georgia through drone services provider DroneUp.

Duck count studies numbers and behavior with drones flying above them

University of North Dakota students and their student advisor have been counting duck pairs, recording nests, and studying how ducks react when a drone passes over them. The research project was performed last summer in the Missouri Coteau country of central North Dakota. Graduate student Mason Ryckman will use the findings in his master’s thesis, Protocols and Best Practices for Breeding Waterfowl Surveys Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Mentioned

Airplane Geeks podcast Episode 638 Geospatial Data for Airports, with guest Bob Vander Meer, vice president of business development for NV5 Geospatial.