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News & Media March 21, 2017, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'

March 21, 2017, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'

AOPA
VOL. 1, ISSUE 3 March 21, 2017
TOP STORIES
AOPA
DJI counts lives saved
The world's leading consumer drone manufacturer scoured media reports around the world to tally at least 59 lives saved by drones since 2013. Many resulted from drone assists offered by private citizens who happened to be around. Read more >
Five questions for Romeo Durscher
DJI Director of Education Romeo Durscher explains how he learned to love drones, recalls watching drones get very personal with whales, and shares what it takes to improve the public image of drones as he answers five questions from AOPA Drone Pilot. Read more >
AOPA brings drones to Sun 'n Fun
AOPA has teamed up with Drone Nerds, a DJI retailer based in Florida, to help create a Drone Experience at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo April 4 through 9 in Lakeland, Florida. A cage will be set up for drone demo flights and simulation flights, and discounts will be offered to AOPA members, along with a free seminar by AOPA Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain. Read more >
Training and Safety
Tips to obtain a Part 107 waiver
Skyward, a drone management software firm recently acquired by Verizon, offers advice for operators who need FAA authorization to fly beyond Part 107 limits. Read more >
AOPA’s Swain on UAV Digest podcast
AOPA Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain spread the word about AOPA welcoming drone pilots and what the association offers on a recent episode of The UAV Digest. Listen to the podcast >
Gear
Drone cameras tested by independent lab
DxO Labs has been independently testing cameras and lenses since 2003 to give consumers a detailed picture of camera performance. Benchmark scores known as DoXMarks for popular drone cameras were recently published. Read the report >
John Deere teams with drone maker Kespry
One of the most recognizable names in construction, John Deere, has chosen California drone maker Kespry to offer its customers an integrated drone mapping tool. Read more >
At home on the range
San Diego agricultural drone startup SlantRange has raised $9.4 million and made Bloomberg's list of "50 most promising startups you've never heard of" in March. The company is getting even more ink with new technology solutions. Read more >
Lifestyle
Ethan Hawke makes movie with drone gear
Actor Ethan Hawke has moved behind the camera for the forthcoming movie Blaze, and convinced his director of photography to use drone cameras and stabilizers throughout. Read more >
New York City Drone Film Festival winners and photos posted
If you missed the third annual New York City Drone Film Festival March 18 and 19, the winners are now online, and organizers have posted photos from the event on Facebook. View photos >
AOPA helps drone pilots find insurance
AOPA Insurance Services works with several insurance companies to offer protection for drones including liability protection, additional coverage for payloads (cameras, equipment, etc.), and options to cover the drone itself. Read more >
Regulation and Policy
Canada cracks down on drones
New restrictions on recreational drone use in Canada make many cities virtual no-drone zones. Read more >
Federal bill would make operator, flight information public
Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) announced legislation that would require drone operators to submit flight details to a national database giving the public access to information about drone ownership and activities. Read more >
FAA looks for drone dollars
The FAA has made public a lack of funding needed to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System. Read more >
News
Drones scout, scare poachers
Poachers in Malawi kill elephants under the cover of darkness, but drones are now on patrol with backing from the World Wildlife Fund, Google, and the Lindbergh Foundation. Read more >
Crash testing drones
A lab in Virginia is lining drones up with crash test dummies and aiming for maximum impact, literally and figuratively. Read more >
'Enormous overkill'
In a YouTube video of a presentation at a military symposium by Gen. David Perkins, the general credits an unnamed ally with downing a quadcopter using a $3 million Patriot missile. Read more >
Milk run (not the easy kind)
Five quadcopters decked out in Oreo cookie costumes were deployed over New York to celebrate the brand’s 105th birthday. The drones dropped cookies into cups of milk set up on a barge in a stunt dubbed "Drone Dunk." Read more >
Featured Video
AOPA
Best in show
Bulgarian filmmakers used a drone, ropes, a fire suit, and at least one brave runner to create the winner of Best in Show and "X-factor" honors at the third annual New York City Drone Film Festival March 18. The film, 2D Run – MMP 3 (Mixed Motion Project), is both original and infectiously engaging, with more than 500,000 views on YouTube since January. Watch the video >
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Drone Pilot Editor:
Jim Moore

Production Team:
Elizabeth Linares
Melissa Whitehouse		 Contributors:
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