July 24, 2018, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 2, ISSUE 15	July 24, 2018

Top Stories

Inside the AirVenture drone show

Learn how a mass formation of drones carrying colored LEDs will execute a complex choreography during EAA AirVenture's night airshows on July 25 and 28. (Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Drone Company.) Read more >

Training and Safety

AOPA launches Drone Minute video series

Videos that entertain as they inform have long been a part of AOPA's pilot safety education repertoire. The new AOPA Drone Minute series was created for unmanned aviators. Read more and watch the video >

Trainers embrace simulation

Handing drones over to novices can get expensive. Programs that teach complex flight operations are turning to simulation. Read more >

Free guide for recurrent test

Attorney Jonathan Rupprecht has published a free guide for Part 107 pilots preparing to recertify. Read more >

Gear

Company retrieves data from damaged drones

Even catastrophic damage does not stop this Colorado company from recovering data from drones (and other devices), and what they've found might surprise you. Read more and watch the video >

3DR develops thermal scan software for DJI Matrice

3DR is no longer making drones, but the California company has created software that assembles thermal images taken by DJI M200 series systems. Read more >

Lifestyle

Dog jumps on pilot, fire ensues

A pilot lost control of his racing quad when an unleashed dog jumped on him. The drone crashed and started a wildfire, and the pilot hopes the story, photos, and video documenting his mishap will help others. Read more and watch the video >

Dodging danger

Entrepreneur looks at three ways drones are reducing risks taken in the workplace. Read more >

Utility company to use drones to deter birds

The remote pilots of Ohio-based utility company FirstEnergy will use drones to protect baby birds. At least that's the plan. Read more >

Public Safety

Quadcopter credited in high-mountain save

A small drone led rescuers to a lost climber stranded on one of the world's highest mountains. Read more >

DJI streamlines geofence unlocks

Remote pilots authorized to fly in sensitive locations will now get a faster response on requests to unlock geofencing, DJI announced. Read more >

Some question law enforcement drone use

Increasing use of drones for law enforcement and surveillance is prompting pushback. Read more >

Drone documents drunk driving damage

Deputies in Ohio used a drone to document damage an intoxicated driver did to a farm field. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

FAA warns of registration scams

The FAA warns hobbyists not to be fooled by online drone-registration offers charging fees up to $150. Read more >

FAA chief: Innovation includes drones

Acting FAA Administrator Daniel K. Elwell writes in a July 15 op-ed published by Aviation Week that the government wants to see "innovation come to life." Read more >

AOPA critical of cellular plan

AOPA is among the organizations speaking out against a proposed cellular network that could disrupt GPS used by aircraft, including unmanned aircraft. Read more >

Many seek parity in drone rules

While the Commercial Drone Alliance pushes for stricter recreational drone regulation in the United States, New Zealand is heading in that direction as well. Read more >

News

Drought, drone reveal ancient henge

A monument in Ireland forgotten for thousands of years was rediscovered in aerial photos. Read more >

Stock service markets drone images

A partnership between stock image service Pond5 and DJI led to new opportunities for licensing photos and footage. Read more >

Bulgaria's big drone

The first aircraft Bulgaria has produced in decades is an unmanned heavy hauler. Read more >

Multirotors battle balloon bombs

Israeli Defense Forces are using unmanned aircraft to intercept incendiary balloons at the border. Read more >