Table of Contents

News for Week of July 9th 2018

Drone NewsBytes

US court upholds FAA drone regulations

The FAA just scored a legal win in its ongoing back and forth with drone hobbyists. The U.S. Court of Appeals opted to uphold a ruling granting the administration’s authority over consumer UAVs, a move that is expected to lead the way for additional restrictions on flight.

DJI offering drone deals on Amazon Prime Day

Get yer drones here! In its first Amazon Prime Day, DJI will be offering the Mavic Pro for $600, $200 off its manufacturer price of $800, and the Mavic Pro Fly More Combo (with extra batteries, parts and case) for $700, usually $1,000. These are relatively deep discounts, since DJI drones rarely have significantly lower street prices. The deals run from July 16 at 9 a.m. PT/noon ET to July 17 at 9 p.m. PT/ midnight July 18 ET, and the Mavic Pro deal is only for the US and Canada

Casey is at it again with a drone in New York

Check out his latest video and the behind the scenes video and let us know what you think. Is he celebrating the 4 of July or his seemingly independence of the drone rules that do apply to the rest of us?

Defeating a drone swarm using microwaves

Raytheon released details on a new type of drone defense using high-power microwaves (HPM). The same electromagnetic energy you use to reheat chili can knock out drones in less than a second. An HPM beam works on the atomic level, passing through a drone’s exterior and distorting the fragile semiconductors that keep the drone aloft.

Improving the no-drone zone

Great article discussing the pros and cons for establishing no-drone zones and the complexity that involves

How a local drone company is inspiring youth into technology

CHARIS Unmanned Aerial Solutions, a drone company is helping Information Systems and Management students learn drones and gt certified to pilot them.

No lambs found by drone in Leominster, but could an eagle be the culprit?

A drone search of the city’s former landfill did not locate two missing lambs Saturday, but those watching got a hint of what might have happened to the two week-old sheep.As Bob Gutermuth flew his Typhoon drone over the perimeter of the 31-acre capped landfill, a large raptor that appeared to be an eagle circled high above. There is no incontrovertible evidence that the predator had a hand in the disappearance of the lambs in the past week, but Mayor Dean Mazzarella said he wondered if that is the case.

Tony Northrup doesn't think everyone should own a drone - What is your opinion

In Tony Northrup’s newest video, he “hopes” that you will buy a drone… but believes that most of you shouldn’t. He makes this claim for more reasons than one, stating that there are very few places to fly drones in the world and that the cost is too high for something that he claims is “disposable.” This article discusses the pros and cons of his arguement

Gift propels LU research into drone-based remote sensing

A remote-sensing program using state-of-the-art drone technology will soon be added to Lamar University’s Department of Geology thanks to a $500,000 gift from former Texaco plant supervisor Ed Hogenson of Port Neches, in honor of his son, Bill Hogenson of Houston, a Lamar University geology graduate and vice president with Zone Oil and Gas LLC.

AUSTRALIA - Australia approves funding of $7 million in 8 innovative mining projects

Turnbull Government announced project funding investment in drone technology designed by Western Australian business Emapper, to do the necessary environmental mapping required for any mine site, reducing safety risks to workers.

AUSTRALIA - Drone startup JAR Aerospace wins 40k worth of digital transformation from Cisco

JAR Aerospace has taken home the grand prize at Cisco’s Start Challenge pitch event, winning a digital transformation worth $40,000 for their business.

Drone industry impatiently waits for new rules

The drone industry is bursting with potential for massive commercial utilization, technological innovation and, of course, profits — but it’s been held back by the sluggish pace of regulation. Drones can’t fly over people or beyond the operator’s visual line of sight without special permission, and those regulations can’t expand before all drones are identifiable and trackable while in the air (law enforcement and national security interests have insisted on that). But until Congress establishes exactly what drones do and do not fall under FAA authority, none of it can happen

Lithuania approves updated drone rules on flights over military areas

Individuals that want to operate a UAV over a military territory would have to allow security personnel of the unit to inspect the drone before flight, provide materials obtained during the flight for inspection, and obey other indications of security specialists during the drone operation.

Man accused of flying drone over Edinburgh

A 30-year-old man has been charged following reports of a drone flying over Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens and the Royal Mile. Police arrested the man following the incident on Thursday. He is due in court at a later date.

Newton Falls looking at ordinance to regulate drone use

The proposed ordinance would not permit drones flying over parks or near public buildings including schools, administrative offices and utilities buildings without permission.

Another Drone Intrusion Grounds Aircraft Fighting Western Wildfires

Firefighters battling the West Valley Fire in the southwestern Utah had to ground their aircraft due to an unauthorized aerial drone flying over the blaze, prompting this important reminder: “If you fly, we can’t. Help us keep our firefighters safe!” Law enforcement are trying to find the drone’s owner.

Yamaha’s Second Helicopter Drone Approved By FAA

The Fazer features improvements from previous models including 50% more payload capacity. The Fazer has a fuel-injected four-stroke engine. Other improvements include a new control system, cleaner exhaust emissions and quieter operation.

Second annual Drone-Con takes flight at Palomar

More than 250 unmanned aviation entrepreneurs, thought leaders and innovators from across the nation met at Palomar College for the second annual Drone-Con event on Friday, July 6. With more than 30 guest speakers presenting on a range of topics, the sold-out conference was twice as large as last year’s inaugural gathering.

Drone survey explores secrets of medieval Glascarrig village

A local man is promoting a campaign to highlight the issues surrounding erosion at a former Anglo-Norman Medieval village site in Glascarrig.Byron James from Gorey, and his research team, have conducted a drone survey of the archaeological site under the Cherish Project, which is led by Sandra Henry. They have released the results of the project so far, which includes various photos and surveys.

Say 'hello' to the DJI Mavic Pro 2 drone -- if this photo is real

DroneDJ published this photo that is currently circulating the web, along with some speculation on how the new drone might compare to the ones we already know.

Cat Downs Enemy Drone With One Deliberate Swipe

While civilians and military units alike cannot seem to get enough of UAVs, the same cannot be said for the feline community.

Drone explores SE Texas par 4s

Yet another new and innovative way to use drones. Aerial presentation of golf courses for use in training golfers

An Post delivers its first parcel to an island by drone

Yesterday, just after 3.30pm 7/7/2018, a parcel was delivered by drone from Roonagh Pier in Mayo to Clare Island. An Post said that it’s Ireland’s first ever autonomous parcel delivery from the mainland to an island using a drone.

Hyderabad: Woman booked for flying drone at Charminar

A 26-year-old girl was held by police in Hyderabad for flying a drone at historic monument Charminar in Hyderabad.

Drone activity soaring at the US-Mexico border

As the political clash over the administration immigration policy has played out on the U.S.-Mexico border, hovering above is the growing presence of drones. These small unmanned aircraft systems are piloted by multiple interests — drug traffickers looking for a way into the country, the U.S. government trying to keep them out, and even journalists hoping to get a new point of view on an issue that has gripped headlines for weeks.

How 15-year-old drone-builder from Ahmedabad is helping the Indian Army save lives

At the age of 14, Harshwardhan Zala designed a smart solution through which drones could not only detect but also defuse landmines in war fields. The youngster wants to make the world a better place to live.

Mistwood Reclaims Hot Dog World Record: Drone Footage

Mistwood Golf Club attempted to set a Guinness World Record on July 4 by laying 2,496 hot dogs in a continuous line measuring 1,163 feet, stretching from the tee to nearly the green on one of its par 5 holes — reclaiming the record from Japan. The previous record was 1157 feet held by Nakakyushu Kubota of Japan. Mistwood captured drone footage of the feat

Drone testing set at Leach Airport

According to a press release from the International Society for Atmospheric Research using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (ISARRA), two dozen small research drones will zip, hover, and soar over parts of the San Luis Valley in mid-July, collecting data on how and where clouds form, storms start, and rain falls.

Body found by drone in Kern River coincides with missing LA man

A body was spotted in the Kern River with a tool that Search and Rescue is using for the first time: a drone. The find coincides with the search for a Los Angeles area man who fell into the River days prior.

Sheriff's Drone That Watched Protesters at Contra Costa Jail Was Made by a Company ICE Accused of Spying for the Chinese Government

The drone appeared to be video recording demonstrators who converged on the jail as part of a national day of protest against the administration's immigration policies. Ironically, the drone appears to be a model that's manufactured by a company accused of spying on U.S. police agencies and corporations, and providing this data to the Chinese government.

Check out these drone photos of a U-boat shipwreck in England

A couple of days ago, drone enthusiast David Eighteen took his Yuneec Typhoon H to the waterfront of the River Medway and sort of stumbled upon this almost 100-year-old U-boat while flying his drone. David’s hi-res aerial photos and some additional research into this shipwreck make for a very interesting story and it is a great example of how drones can open up a new world that otherwise may go unnoticed.

Suspicious drone activity investigated in Westfield

Westfield police are investigating several reports of a drone hovering just outside of windows of residences in the Morris Street neighborhood.

Intel dazzles Travis Air Force Base on the 4th of July

The Fourth of July looked a little different at Travis Air Force Base in California. Instead of fireworks, 500 Intel shooting star drones lit up the night sky. The drones danced in a choreographed routine honoring the military and American history.

DJI's next Mavic drone might have 360-degree obstacle awareness

As the leaks keep coming, Engadget noticed the side mounted object avoidance sensors near the back of the Mavis 2 image, giving the impression of 360 degree object avoidance, a limitation in the original Mavic Pro.

Boy reunited with family after getting separated on trails near Ranch Rudolf

Grand Traverse County sheriff's deputies said the 9-year-old was walking on the trails near Ranch Rudolf when he got separated from his family.The family called 911 and deputies launched a drone to try and find him. Meanwhile, a man riding his ATV came across the boy and called 911.The boy was reunited with his family after about an hour and a half.

Inspector Drone can check out building facades

The H3 Zoom.AI Facade Inspector, which was unveiled to the media in a demonstration at one-north last Friday, promises to conduct checks in a faster, safer and cheaper way compared with human inspections, and is likely to be the first of its kind to be introduced on a large scale in Singapore.

Kitsap County unveils draft ordinance to ban drone launching, landing near Navy bases

After almost a year of deliberation, Kitsap County has unveiled a draft of an ordinance that seeks to limit drone activity near the five Naval Base Kitsap installations in the county. Last fall, Navy officials asked the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners to consider crafting such an ordinance, citing concerns of drone pilots who might be trying to illicitly shoot photos or video of sensitive military assets in the county.

Vodafone develops drone detection system

The system is based on software using CCTV cameras and sensors running on Vodafone’s internet of things network. The appearance of a drone will sound an alarm and alert both Vodafone and the customer, or its security provider, and could be used to locate the person operating the vehicle.

How drone photography is carving a niche in construction

Ryan Moret is part of a new generation of construction workers that rely on drones as hypermobile tools: Eyes in the sky that gaze upon any part of the work site. Once the realm of racers and hobbyists, drones are also putting their stamp on the construction sector.

Drone survey of Jayanagar properties begins

The drone-based survey of properties in Jayanagar 4th Block begins on Monday, with the revenue department embarking on the exercise for the first time since 1960. The work of surveying all properties is being done in coordination with the Survey of India and is the first step towards creating and issuing urban property ownership record (UPOR) cards to all citizens. Earlier, the department had planned to conduct a door-to-door survey, but now they will start with drone camera photography survey, which will assess the exterior dimensions of each property.

Facebook abandoned helicopter drone project months after first demo

The Aquila drone isn’t the only aerial internet project Facebook abandoned in the last year. The Tether-tenna, a small helicopter drone that could temporarily replace cellular service in emergency situations, was discontinued a few months after being shown off at the F8 developer conference in May of 2017

Jessup man's drone photography business flying high

Deangelis has gone from drone enthusiast to chief executive officer of his own drone-photography company, Access Aerial, an LLC he originally founded with a partner but now runs independently from his home. Using high-tech drones, including the $5,000-plus DJI Inspire 2, he can shoot 4K video and 20 megapixel photos for clients that range from Realtors and construction firms to gas companies and newspapers, including The Times-Tribune.

Want to start a drone business? Missouri State University to offer classes

To use your drone commercially, you need to have your Part 107 Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. It requires you pass a 60 question test at an FAA approved site. The course Missouri State University is about to offer is in partnership with Aerobotics LLC, which will help prepare you for that test.

AUSTRALIA - Queensland to develop ‘drone zones’

The Queensland government has committed to developing “drone zones” for commercial tests of aerial drone technology. In addition to designating zones for testing aerial drones, the government will create areas for testing the land-based and marine capabilities of drones.

CATCH THE BUZZ – DROPCOPTER RELEASES POLLINATION RESULTS. WAY MORE FRUIT USING A DRONE THAN WHEN USING HONEY BEES.

Dropcopter, a drone AG startup based in California and Central New York, recently made headlines as the first company to successfully pollinate almonds, cherries and apples using drones. The company has released results from its 2018 third party studies which report a massive increase in almonds and cherries as well as surprising developments for apples.

AUSTRALIA - The Aussie open source effort that keeps a million drones in the air

The huge progress made in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology over the last decade is thanks to one person more than any other. And he’s a complete dummy.

AUSTRALIA - Global Smart Drone Services Market Study Report 2018

QY Market Research has recently published the latest report titled Global Smart Drone Services Market Report 2018. Smart Drone Services Market report gives complete global coverage of Smart Drone Services market data from 2013 to 2018.

Moose Tries to Knock Down Drone

Kaliningrad photographer Denis Stein published on his Facebook page a video depicting a moose trying to knock down a drone that had been filming it.

Watch: A secret rehearsal of Africa's first 'drone fireworks' for Absa's big reveal tomorrow

We counted over 240 mysterious drones rising above the Joburg skyline to form Absa's newly trademarked logo in the first hours of Tuesday morning – as the bank apparently rehearsed a show due Wednesday night.

Airlango unveils crowdfunding for $500 Mystic AI drone

Beijing-based Airlango has created Mystic so it can recognize and autonomously follow its owner, obey gesture commands from the ground, and take high-precision photos without user interaction. It is available now on Kickstarter, starting at the super early bird price of $460.

Army Corps announces Lake Lanier drone policy

A procedure is now in place to fly drones over Lake Lanier, and it requires the drone operator to seek permission 30 days in advance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

TRANS-ATLANTIC Drone Flight Grand Forks

Officials say the first trans-Atlantic flight by a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft has taken off from a Grand Forks aviation park. The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. drone launched from the Grand Sky park at Grand Forks Air Force Base Tuesday afternoon at 12:48. The flight will cover more than 3,000 miles before landing in Gloucestershire, England, where the Royal Air Force is holding its centennial celebration. The aircraft is scheduled to land Wednesday at about 6:45 p.m. local time.

Women to Watch in UAS Event to Recognize Influential Women in the Drone Industry

Women make up a substantial amount of invaluable players in the drone industry, and fortunately, there’s at least one group aware enough to properly celebrate that. InterDrone’s fourth annual Women in Drones Luncheon is set to take place at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas this September.

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