July 7, 2020, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 4, ISSUE 14	July 7, 2020

Top Stories

NTSB determines helicopter likely struck drone

Forensic analysis led the NTSB to determine that a news helicopter forced to make a precautionary landing in Los Angeles in December had most likely collided with a drone, the sixth such collision confirmed or suspected in U.S. airspace. Read more >

Training and Safety

Pilot recalls Matrice 210 crash

A pilot whose drone crashed two weeks ago without warning breaks down what happened and how AOPA's Pilot Protection Services helped him. Read more >

Opportunity in adversity

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on unemployment prompted one drone company to focus its pitch on those looking to start a new career. Read more >

Drone power 101

Not all drones require batteries. Hydrogen fuel cells are among the exotic options that might fit your mission. Read more >

Gear

Reimagining the quadcopter

A Canadian startup built a tiltrotor quadcopter to facilitate high-precision aerial inspections. Read more and watch a video >

Unpacking Parrot's Anafi

Manufactured in the United States and designed for first responders, Parrot's Anafi drone features 32x zoom and thermal imaging. Watch the video >

Skydio 2 updated

Skydio is ramping up production to get more units out the door, and the firm has also designed a landing pad to help the autonomous drone land more safely. Read more >

Criticizing the competition

Parrot used the company's latest product launch to take a dig at competitor DJI over data security. Read more >

Lifestyle

Drone camps go virtual

As schools are determining how to get back in the classroom, drone camps have shifted to a virtual environment with Spire Drone Racing, Virtual Drone Camp, and Camp College all still accepting registrations. Read more >

Bubble machine pollination

Bees have the upper hand, but as scientists work to find a way to mimic their actions, they're strapping bubble machines on drones to help pollinate crops. Read more >

Great white spotted near surfers

A teenager gathering footage of surfers riding the waves spotted a great white shark nearby. Read more >

Public Safety

First responder makes case for UAS

An Alabama emergency management director is touting the ability of drones to help first responders and community leaders during crises. Read more >

Rescue tracker

DJI released an interactive map allowing users to track drone-assisted rescues around the world. Read more >

Visual justification

Arizona police used drone footage to justify the arrests of protesters who were stopping traffic. Read more >

Monitoring the path

The city of Medford, Oregon, is looking to use drones along its greenway walking path to monitor homeless populations and potential fire threats. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Wasn't in the budget

The Department of Homeland Security has the power to develop counter-drone measures, but a budgetary misstep is limiting what it can do. Read more >

News

5G tower inspections

Samsung has created a cellphone program that allows inspectors to use a drone to verify that 5G towers are in working order. Read more >

Air Force needs more drone pilots

As layoffs loom for many pilots, the U.S. Air Force has announced that it has a shortage of drone pilots who are qualified to fly the MQ–9 Reaper drone and other similar aircraft. Read more >

Inventory solutions rising

Warehouse managers are using drones to increase efficiency. Read more >

Attacking at night

For the first time India is allowing a UAS to fly at night, in hopes to better combat a locust invasion. Read more >