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


VOL 2, ISSUE 6	March 20, 2018

Top Stories

Drones map devastated Dominica

Canadian relief organization Global Medic assembled a team in February to create high-resolution digital maps of Dominica. That team included two flight test engineers who work for the U.S. Navy on the MV-22 Osprey, and the tiltrotor drone they designed. (Photo courtesy of Global Medic.) Read more >

Training and Safety

Nonprofit trains drone pilots to rescue whales

Oceans Unmanned, a California-based nonprofit founded by veterans of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aviation program, has teamed up with NOAA, DJI, and DARTdrones to create a network of pilots trained for whale rescue. Read more >

ASA publishes drone titles

New titles from Aviation Supplies & Academics take you from building your own drone to understanding regulations and how to operate safely in the National Airspace System. Read more >

Photography tips from Adorama

Mark Wallace shares some of what he's learned about how to capture the best drone images. Watch the video >

Gear

Hybrid drone aims to disrupt

Two University of Central Florida graduates designed a drone with a hybrid propulsion system that runs on gasoline and can stay aloft for hours. Read more and watch a video >

Teen launched drone company

George Matus, now 20, was still in high school when he raised millions to start a drone company. That landed him an appearance on NBC's Today. Watch the video >

Power Egg put through paces

YouTube's JerryRigEverything puts the Power Egg from Power Vision through its paces in a decidedly scenic spot that you might recognize from movies. Watch the video >

LED propellers glow in the dark

If you meet the FAA requirements to fly a drone in the dark, you might want to try these LED props that make every flight a light show. Read more and watch a video >

Lifestyle

NYC Drone Film Festival winners

African wildlife, wild skiing, and other amazing aerials were recognized in March by the New York City Drone Film Festival. Click on the "2018 Winners" tab to see who got the prizes. Can you spot the three films that were featured in previous issues of AOPA Drone Pilot? Watch the winners >

Proving herself

Australian drone company creator Jackie Dujmovic talked to The Sydney Morning Herald about how she became a leader in a male-dominated industry. Read more >

Public Safety

NTSB deploys drone at night

The resident drone expert at the NTSB had aviation investigations in mind, but a bus crash on an Alabama highway prompted the agency's first deployment of a drone after dark. Read more >

Public safety forum precedes Xponential

Public safety professionals who want to learn about the many applications of unmanned aircraft for local emergency and disaster response can aim for Denver in May: The National Council on Public Safety UAS and Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International will offer a forum May 1 and 2, ahead of AUVSI Xponential. Learn more and register >

Regulation and Policy

Medical cargo could be gateway to drone deliveries

National Public Radio reports medical applications may lead to routine drone deliveries. Read more >

FAA expands airspace authorization

Remote pilots will soon have easier access to controlled airspace via electronic authorization that promises to be nearly instantaneous. Read more >

Amazon Prime Air may soon launch

Amazon Prime Air is primed to make the first U.S. drone deliveries, possibly this year. Read more >

UK considers lifting line-of-sight requirement

Regulators in the United Kingdom may approve drone flight beyond line of sight in 2019. Read more >

News

Royal wedding security includes drone defense

When Britain's Prince Harry weds Meghan Markle in May, security will include soldiers with drone defenses. Read more >

Nan na na na, nan na na na... bat drone!

The "Chirocopter" is a drone made to fly inside swarms of bats, giving wildlife biologists a perspective never before possible. Read more >

Arizona wildfire blamed on drone

A small drone crashed and burned in Arizona, igniting a fire that burned 200 acres. Read more >

Drone vs. drone

Venture capitalists bet $20 million that sometimes the best way to stop a bad guy with a drone is for the good guys to have a bigger drone. Read more >