May 29, 2018, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 2, ISSUE 11	May 29, 2018

Top Stories

Police drone more useful than imagined

From stolen property recovery to search and rescue, this Maryland sheriff's drone team notched many successes in their first year of flying. (Photo courtesy of Cecil County Sheriff.) Read more >

Training and Safety

Mapping for public safety

Experts from the Michigan State Police and Visual Law Group will present a free webinar May 31 describing their experience using Pix4D software for photogrammetry. Read more and register >

Out of sight

PrecisionHawk will host a free webinar May 30 at 2 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time detailing the company's recommendations for securing FAA approval to fly drones beyond visual line of sight. Read more and register >

Wake Forest FD night course

Wake Forest Fire Department chief pilot and AOPA Drone Pilot contributor Steve Rhode will teach a free class May 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the North Carolina fire station covering the fine points of public safety night missions. Read more and register >

Gear

Drone dives into mines

Mines are dangerous places to work, and drones can reduce the risks people take. Not just any drone can do this work, however. Read more >

Epic Mavic camera duel

Cinema5D pits DJI's Mavic Air against the Mavic Pro in a camera duel that might surprise you. Read more and watch a video >

Geotag your vids

Remote GeoSystems has created software that allows video from drones (and other cameras) to be tagged with GPS data. Read more >

Fairy seeks funds

Digital Trends likes the looks of Fairy, a drone that could prove perfect for newbies. Read more and watch a video >

Lifestyle

Big business squashes small operators

The days of making $2,000 a day as a solo remote pilot may be officially over. Read more >

Drone racer takes on volcano

A drone racer took on the challenge of flying Hawaii's most famous volcano. Read more and watch a video >

Public Safety

Patrolling prisons with drones

Drones have long been used to fly contraband inside prison walls. South Carolina is now using drones to turn the tables. Read more and watch a video >

Drones on the scene

When firefighters bring drones to the scene, local media takes notice. Read more >

COA or 107?

Public safety professionals can operate under Part 107 or a Certificate of Authorization. The seemingly obvious choice might not be correct. Read more >

Feds buy more drones

The U.S. Department of the Interior is on a drone-buying binge, with more than one aircraft type in mind. Read more >

FEMA offers funds

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering a new round of grants to help responders purchase equipment, including drones. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Friends in high places

The White House has exhibited an appetite for unleashing the drone industry, writes Aviation Week & Space Technology. (Article free with registration.) Read more >

FAA chief: Remote ID a must

Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell made it clear that remote identification of drones is not only a good idea, it's essential. Read more >

News

Phantom classifies trees

A research effort in Japan used a DJI Phantom 4 and DroneDeploy software to scan the forest for tree identification. Read more >

Uber's flight of fantasy

Uber may think flying taxis will be in the air by 2023. Eric Adams thinks that sounds delusional. Read more >

ScanEagle makes public flight

Insitu invited the press to Spain for the first public flight of ScanEagle 3. Read more >

Marine droners get new bling

U.S. Marine Corps drone pilots have a new set of wings to wear. Read more >