For the first time, the FAA is seeking public comments on proposed airworthiness criteria for an unmanned aircraft system, more popularly known as a “drone.” The Federal Register notice asks for comments on proposed design standards needed for the FlightScan Corporation Camcopter S-100 to fly safely in U.S. airspace. The ultimate goal of this, and […]
drones
Collegiate Drone Challenge takes off
The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), an association for model aircraft flying hobbyists, and the University Aviation Association (UAA) have launched the Collegiate Drone Challenge. The UAS4STEM Collegiate Challenge is designed for university students to learn, practice, and demonstrate professional unmanned aircraft system (UAS) knowledge, mission planning, flight skills, data collection, analysis, and safety practices […]
Sebring’s DroneZone to feature one of largest drone races in the world
The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo‘s DroneZone 2018 will feature one of the largest drone races in the world with participants from all major continents. This is the second year for the DroneZone at the expo, held at the Sebring Regional Airport (KSEF) in Florida. The event is slated for Jan. 24-27, 2018. Highlighting the excitement will […]
Jump into the world of drones
The FAA projects that between 2016 and 2020 sales of small, hobbyist unmanned aircraft systems and sales of UAS for commercial purposes are expected to grow from 2.5 million to 7 million. Four Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professors have written a guide to help enthusiasts better understand the booming field. The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) […]
Video: Ride along with the drones
Red Bull DR.ONE saw 18 international drone racing teams from 14 countries put their skills and technology to the test on Sept. 30, 2017. Taking place at the Red Bull Ring, in Spielberg, Austria, the event featured custom-built drones flying at speeds of up to 90 mph through the Trap Gates, which were inspired by […]
FAA restricts drones over national landmarks
At the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies, the FAA has banned drones over 10 national landmarks. Officials from the FAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI), have restricted drone flights up to 400 feet within these sites: Statue of Liberty, New York, N.Y.; Boston National Historical Park (U.S.S. Constitution), Boston; Independence […]
Drones help speed Florida’s hurricane recovery
After the widespread devastation Hurricane Irma wreaked on Florida in early September 2017, unmanned aircraft — commonly referred to as drones — have been invaluable in supporting response and recovery efforts in the battered Sunshine State. When Irma’s winds and floodwaters damaged homes, businesses, roads and industries, a wide variety of agencies sought FAA authorization […]
Do gamers make better drone pilots?
A new study shows that video game players could make better drone pilots than general aviation pilots. For the study, designed to help address the shortage of pilots to fly unmanned aerial systems (UAS), researchers from the University of Liverpool tested the abilities of gamers, professional pilots and general aviation pilots. The 60 participants took part […]
The ultimate guide to how to fly a drone
Interested in venturing into the drone arena? Jess Miller recently wrote a detailed 7,000-word guide on how to fly a drone that is packed with tips and advice. It begins: “If you’ve got a drone and you don’t know how to fly it yet, don’t despair – flying a drone isn’t rocket science. It’s not exactly […]