April 14, 2020, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 4, ISSUE 8	April 14, 2020

Top Stories

Zipline pitches drones for US coronavirus relief

The San Francisco firm that created drone delivery networks serving two African countries hopes to fast-track drone delivery in the United States to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Zipline.) Read more >

Iris enables 360-degree computer vision for drones

Iris Automation may have won the race to bring to market a key technology that will allow unmanned aircraft to safely fly beyond line of sight, at scale. Read more >

SkyGuardian flies stateside recon

General Atomics' SkyGuardian flew from California to Arizona to advance drone integration with a commercial proof-of-concept mission to inspect infrastructure. Read more >

Wing drones respond to demand

Wing's rural Virginia drone delivery test project has doubled its operating tempo since the pandemic began. Read more >

Training and Safety

Stay connected during return-to-home

With the whole world hunkered down for public health, here are a few productive ways a drone pilot can pass the time. Read more >

FAA working on currency, testing

FAA knowledge test centers are on the long list of coronavirus-related closures, and the agency is said to be working on alternatives. Read more >

AOPA expects new emergency rules to help pilots

The FAA plans to write emergency rules granting relief from an array of pilot certification and other requirements rendered impossible by ongoing efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Read more >

Gear

'Not going anywhere'

DJI responded to rumors that it would end U.S. operations, pledging to maintain its presence despite job reductions. Read more >

American pitch

TerraView's RangePro X8P boasts a 70-minute flight time for a new UAS manufactured and supported in the United States. Read more >

(Still) on the horizon

Drone makers Autel, DJI, and PowerVision are expected to bring new products to market in 2020, notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Lifestyle

Tulips abound

Unmanned aircraft enable a socially distant tour of a popular Dutch garden now in full bloom. Tour the garden >

Due diligence with drones

Mergers and acquisitions are just as difficult during a pandemic lockdown as the rest of life, but drones flown inside of factories and other commercial property subject to sale could get this part of the economy moving again. Read more >

Public Safety

'Can' does not necessarily mean 'should'

WeRobotics weighs the risks and rewards of using UAS to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more >

Vigilante drones …

A self-proclaimed "task force" is reportedly using drones to encourage social distancing in New York. The FAA is investigating. Read more >

… and authorized air support

Meanwhile, police departments in Florida and New Jersey are flying UAS to amplify the social distancing message with recorded messages blasted from flying loudspeakers. Read more >

Pandemic response loaners

A law enforcement agency in Maryland is using UAS on loan from DJI to locate homeless people. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Calling in the experts

Indiana officials hired a consulting firm to help develop the state's strategic drone plan. Read more >

News

Finally out of the house

China celebrated the end of Wuhan's lockdown with a drone show. Watch the video >

Work in progress

Researchers tested Europe's nascent 5G cellular data network with drones and found the promised bandwidth isn't quite there, yet. Read more >

Witnessing the story

Journalists flew a drone to document the heartbreaking scene on New York's Hart Island, where mass graves have been dug for scores of unclaimed bodies in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more and watch the video >