November 14, 2017, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 1, ISSUE 20	November 14, 2017

Top Stories

Drone Advisory Committee makes progress

The committee advising the FAA on unmanned aircraft integration approved its first significant recommendation Nov. 8. The Drone Advisory Committee suggests that the FAA prioritize flights beyond line of sight inside Mode C veils below 400 feet, using the greater availability of aircraft position data to support detect-and-avoid capability. Read more >

Training and Safety

When fail-safes become unsafe

Remote pilot Gordon Relyea explains what can happen when a drone's fail-safe kicks in at an inopportune moment and provides tips to avoid such mishaps. Read more >

First AOPA Drone Talk webinar available

AOPA Director of Regulatory Affairs Justin Barkowski, Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain, and Legal Services Plan attorneys Jared Allen and Chad Mayer offer expert advice for navigating current federal regulations, along with a growing number of state and local rules and regulations that drone pilots should be aware of (or risk fines and penalties) in AOPA's first Drone Talk webinar, recorded Nov. 10. Watch the webinar >

AAAE conference discount offered

AOPA members are eligible for a $50 discount on admission to the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Conference in Los Angeles, Dec. 4 through 6, being hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives. AOPA is an official partner for the conference, which will feature opportunities to learn, network, and participate in discussions about airport innovation and the future of unmanned aircraft. AOPA members can receive the discount by registering online using the code 50OffUAS. Learn more and register now >

Kent State University builds unmanned aircraft program

Add Kent State University to the growing list of colleges offering unmanned aircraft courses. The Ohio university will graduate the first students with aeronautical degrees that include a minor in unmanned aircraft systems in December. Read more >

Gear

DJI unveils new drones, software

DJI issued a flurry of product announcements at its AirWorks conference, including new drones with heavy lift capability and FlightHub, the company's most comprehensive data management software solution to date. Read more >

Kittyhawk upgrades Flight Deck

Kittyhawk unveiled new capabilities for its Flight Deck fleet management software that now allows real-time data streaming from multiple aircraft. Read more >

New Mavic 'unbelievably quiet'

Writer Ben Popper reports for The Verge that the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum, released in August, has a much quieter audio profile—and that has benefits for pilots. Read more >

Lifestyle

DroneBase crafts augmented reality

Drone services provider DroneBase, which connects drone pilots with clients, has created an app that incorporates the augmented reality features of popular games like Minecraft and Pokémon with the potential for profitable services for clients. Read more >

New contest for the pros

The British Journal of Photography has teamed up with a major drone maker to sponsor a contest for professional photographers who are taking drones more seriously than ever. Read more >

FAI chooses China for first world drone racing championships

Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (the World Air Sports Federation), which sanctions official competition across all forms of aviation, has selected Shenzhen, China, to host the inaugural FAI World Drone Racing Championships in 2018. The Chinese city beat out Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Barcelona, Spain. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Federal bill would restore drone registration

A provision in a defense policy bill would restore the FAA drone registry nixed by a federal court in May. Read more >

Drone integration program launched

The U.S. Department of Transportation launched the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program Nov. 2, creating opportunities for state, local, and tribal governments to collaborate with industry on advanced operations such as flights over people, and package delivery. Read more >

Kittyhawk founder accuses FAA of 'picking winners'

With AirMap and Verizon subsidiary Skyward selected to handle the first electronic near-instant airspace authorizations for pilots flying under Part 107, a competitor complains the federal government is giving them an unfair edge. Read more >

News

AT&T drone provides cell service in Puerto Rico

A flying COW (cell on wings, though this one uses a rotor, as you'll see in this video) is providing much-needed cellular service to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. It's the first deployment of a tethered system developed by AT&T. Read more >

Drones detected over military installations

The U.S. Department of Defense and drone-detection company Dedrone have logged frequent incursions by drones into airspace around military bases that the FAA has declared off-limits. Read more >

NTSB investigators turn to drones

Ironically, it was a drone crash that got the NTSB thinking about how drones could help investigations. Read more >

Video: Soccer fan downs drone with TP

A well-aimed toilet-paper toss by a soccer fan in Argentina ended a drone's annoying intrusion during a match. Read more and watch a video >

Drone Pilot Editor: Jim Moore Production Team: Elizabeth Linares Melissa Whitehouse	Contributors: Alyssa J. Cobb Dan Namowitz David Tulis	*Advertise in Drone Pilot:* Gary Brennan, 301/695-2052 Eastern and Central United States and International: Jeff Rockwood, 301/695-2089 Western United States: Tom Linton, 301/695-2055 AOPA Advertising website
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