The FAA has approved the first unmanned aircraft operation of its kind to help restore cellular service in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The Flying COW (Cell on Wings) drone, developed by AT&T, functions like a cell tower in the sky, restoring voice, data and internet service. It flies up to 200 […]
UAS
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 […]
College admission letters delivered by drone
Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, kicked off the College Admission season with a special delivery to eight Romeoville High School students. One of the university’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems program drone delivered college admissions acceptance letters Nov. 13 to the students at their high school. “Being the first delivery of this kind in the nation demonstrates […]
Unmanned Safety Institute launches PRO certification for drone drivers
The Unmanned Safety Institute (USI), which provides remote pilot training and certification to individuals, organizations, and enterprises around the world, has launched a new Professional Remote Operator (PRO) certification. The PRO certification program was designed to offer a new credential to remote pilots who would like to differentiate themselves from other remote pilots who simply […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ohio State sets drone world speed record
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University’s Aerospace Research Center recently set a world speed record for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of any size, pending verification. Ohio State’s drone flew autonomously with sustained average speeds of 147 mph over an out-and-back course approximately 28 miles long, which also set a record for the longest […]
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 […]