Drone tech crossover; First Amendment showdown


VOL 4, ISSUE 25	December 8, 2020

Top Stories

Drone tech crossover

While risky behavior with drones has prompted troubling headlines, technology developed for unmanned aircraft may one day enhance situational awareness in general aviation aircraft and have other benefits you might not expect. Read more >

Training and Safety

Regulations on a global scale

If you're flying outside of the United States, knowing local drone regulations is a must. Surfshark breaks it down, country by country. Read more >

Philadelphia pilot faces huge fines

Flying at high altitude, in low visibility, and over people earned a Philadelphia drone operator 123 fines from the FAA, totaling well into six figures. Read more and watch a video >

AMA partners to add LAANC

The Academy of Model Aeronautics is working with UASidekick to offer low-altitude authorization and notification capability service request functionality to its members. Read more >

Gear

DJI feels need, a need for speed

Leaked photos strongly suggest that DJI will build a racing drone at last. Read more >

Putnam picks Parrots

A donation allowed firefighters in Putnam, Connecticut, to purchase a pair of Parrot unmanned aircraft systems, and training. Read more >

Lifestyle

Swarming to seed

DroneSeed is working to restore land devastated by forest fires in 2020 by seeding future forests far faster than it can be done on foot. Read more and watch a video >

Performance-based review

Tybee Island, Georgia, is surveying the sand dunes built to prevent erosion and improve coastal management. Read more and watch a video >

Lost, found

After a 10-day adventure, this golden retriever is back home thanks to a drone. Read more and watch a video >

Public Safety

Thinking for themselves

Police drones are gaining more and more autonomy as the technology improves, providing valuable views of emergencies as first responders. Read more >

This might have proved unpopular

As San Diego hosted a trial run for a military-grade drone, administrators kept quiet their consideration of using the technology to enforce speed limits. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

First Amendment showdown proceeds in Texas

Journalists are challenging a Texas law that limits the use of drones for newsgathering in federal court, and the case survived a move by state officials to dismiss it. Read more >

All they want for Christmas is a seat on the DAC

Two veteran drone pilots created this organization to lobby on behalf of drone service providers with federal, state, and local governments. Read the press release >

News

Drone captures observatory's final moments

A drone flying near the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico captured the legendary radiotelescope's collapse. Read more and watch a video >

Will drones bring war?

Some worry the asymmetrical risk of unmanned weapons could increase the risk of fighting. Read more >

Walmart spreads aerial cheer

Walmart partnered with IBM to create a holiday drone show. Read more and watch a video >