February 20, 2018, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 2, ISSUE 4	February 20, 2018

Top Stories

Broadcast engineer embraces drones

The engineering director of a Colorado-based company that operates radio stations around the country has become an industry advocate for drones as tools that save dollars and reduce risk. (Photo courtesy of Cris Alexander/Crawford Broadcasting Co.) Read more >

Training and Safety

A safety code for drone pilots

The Aviators Code Initiative and the University Aviation Association have collaborated to produce the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Pilots Code, a set of practices and principles to help pilots confront real-world challenges. Download the code >

Drone insurance 101

AOPA Senior Director of UAS Programs Kat Swain will be among the presenters of a free webinar Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time covering the basics of drone insurance, and beyond. Learn about risk management best practices, and shop for coverage as an informed consumer. Register now >

Gear

Are you ready for autonomy?

Being chased by a flying machine with 13 cameras has a way of focusing the mind, writes Farhad Manjoo for The New York Times. Read more >

Navigating uncertain terrain

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has published research into deep learning technology for drones that will facilitate crash-free flights at speed in obstacle-rich environments. Read more >

Charge batteries in the drone

A team of engineers from Europe backed by U.S. venture capital has developed a wireless charging pad for small, unmanned aircraft, with an eye on automation and operations at scale. Read more >

DroneBase upgrades augmented reality

The online drone services marketplace DroneBase has landed a fresh influx of funding and upgraded an augmented reality tool that is part game, and part serious business. Read more >

Lifestyle

Intel sets Olympic drone record

Intel set a new record for drone formation flying at the Olympics. Wired magazine takes us behind the scenes. Read more >

Drones are changing the world

From disaster relief to beer delivery, drones are poised to fulfill many missions. Read more >

Trouble in the industry

Kittyhawk co-founder and chief pilot Joshua Ziering has a few thoughts about why it's tough for many pilots to convert drones into earnings. Read more >

Public Safety

Drones help police defuse standoff

A distraught woman waved a gun and begged police to kill her. Officers in Virginia deployed drones to help defuse the situation from a safe distance. Read more >

California firefighters find stranded hiker

Firefighters in Fremont, California, made short work of a recent search and rescue using their drone. Read more >

COA or Part 107? Navigating the regulations

Police departments seeking to integrate drones must decide under which FAA regulations they will fly. Analyst Andy Osantowske sorts it out in this article for PoliceOne.com. Read more >

Webinar planned for public safety personnel

FAA staff will host a webinar crafted for public safety personnel interested in drone implementation on three dates starting Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Register now >

Regulation and Policy

FAA reports progress

FAA officials hope to have a drone identification regulation finished before the end of the year. Read more >

Kansas lawmakers eager to influence drone rules

Kansas wants to be at the center of the action in a federal drone integration program. Read more >

FAA to hold third UAS symposium

The FAA and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International will co-host the third annual Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium in Baltimore. Read more >

News

Crash pilot blames drone

A helicopter instructor told authorities that a drone encounter led to a crash landing. Read more >

Autonomous passenger-carrying drone tests detailed

Chinese startup Ehang has revealed details and test-flight footage of a passenger-carrying drone that has logged more than 1,000 flights. Read more >

PrecisionHawk buys pilot networks

PrecisionHawk has purchased two startups that match drone pilots with customers, absorbing 15,000 pilots into the fold. You might be one of them. Read more >

Marines equip with quadcopters

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to have a quadcopter in the hands of every infantry squad soon. Read more >

Airbus tests delivery drone

Airbus Helicopters has unveiled its version of a commercial delivery drone. Read more >