October 17, 2017, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 1, ISSUE 18	October 17, 2017

Top Stories

Article

FAA seeks 'emergency' action on drones

The FAA has been swamped with requests from Part 107 drone pilots seeking to navigate controlled airspace, and reports of drone safety incidents have also surged. The agency believes that frustrated drone pilots are flying near airports without waiting for authorization and seeks "emergency" clearance to implement electronic authorization. (Composite image made from FAA facility map and AOPA file photo.) Read more >

Drone pilot provides data from midair

A fragment of a DJI Phantom quadcopter recovered from inside a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with the drone while patrolling New York Harbor helped NTSB investigators find the drone's pilot. Read more >

Training and Safety

Article

Journalists learn drone basics, ethics

Nearly 100 working journalists learned the basics and best practices for using drones in their work during a series of workshops that included a mix of classroom and stick time. Read more >

Experience drones with AOPA in Tampa

AOPA has teamed up with drone retailer Drone Nerds to create an interactive Drone Experience, including a cage for demonstration flights, during the AOPA Fly-In presented by Peter O. Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 27 and 28. Discounts on drones and accessories will be offered to AOPA members, and a Drone Flying 101 seminar will kick off at 1 p.m. Oct. 28. Learn more >

FAA webinar for public safety

Those who missed the live version of a recent FAA webinar on the use of drones in public safety missions can listen online. Registration (name and email) is required. Register and listen to the archived webinar >

Gear

DJI unveils Zenmuse X7

A Super 35 image sensor makes the new Zenmuse X7 camera for the DJI Inspire 2 a cinema-worthy piece of equipment. Able to record 6K video in CinemaDNG format with 14 stops of dynamic range, this latest drone camera from DJI is priced to match the cost of the aircraft itself, with a choice of three lenses sold separately. Read more >

Drone tracking system tested

AeroScope, a tracking system made for airports and other drone-sensitive areas that detects the radio traffic between drone and control station, can provide authorities with a wealth of information beyond location and velocity. Read more >

Singapore firm shows off drone detection, interdiction system

SkyDroner, made by Singapore-based developer TeleRadio, joins an increasingly crowded field of emerging anti-drone technology. Read more >

Lifestyle

Drone instructor answers call from firefighters

Arizona firefighters who were having trouble pinpointing hot spots called on a college drone instructor for help. Read more >

Aerial views of Puerto Rico in ruins

Photographer Eliud Echevarria used manned aircraft, not drones, to document the devastation of Puerto Rico wrought by Hurricane Maria. The photos, and the story behind them, are instructive for all photographers who want to help after a disaster, whatever aircraft they may use. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Drone groups appeal to Trump

Seizing on remarks by a White House official delivered at a recent trade show, a group of 29 organizations, manufacturers, and drone users appealed for a collaborative approach to airspace regulation. Read more >

Drone tracking and ID panel fails to agree

A panel of industry and law enforcement officials created to advise the FAA on drone tracking and identification requirements wrapped up its work without reaching consensus. Read more >

News

Airline crew reports drone collision

Weeks after the first U.S. midair involving manned and unmanned aircraft, Canadian authorities said a passenger airplane collided with a drone approaching Quebec City, the first such incident in Canada. Read more >

Near miss reported in UK

An Airbus 319 approaching Gatwick Airport in England had a near miss with a drone that put 130 lives at risk, the flight crew reported to authorities. Read more >

Drone imitates spider

Usually, aircraft designs that borrow from nature are focused on the flying part, but this drone steals a page from the spider, and spins a web for stability. Read more >

Griffiss International nets new drone dollars

The unmanned aircraft test site based at Griffiss International Airport in upstate New York is getting another influx of drone-related investment, further solidifying its position as one of the nation's most important drone research centers. Read more >