June 9, 2020, issue of 'AOPA Drone Pilot'


VOL 4, ISSUE 12	June 9, 2020

Top Stories

Zipline begins US pandemic deliveries

Zipline launched its fixed-wing drone delivery program in North Carolina, setting up a hospital shuttle service for COVID-19 supplies. Meanwhile, Drone Delivery Canada expanded its own pandemic response effort. (Photo courtesy of Zipline.)

Capturing the movement

As social justice protests spread around the world, drones helped document the movement, and The New York Times compiled aerial photos and footage. See the images and video >

Training and Safety

Fly the roof, skip the ladder

Natural disasters often leave insurance adjusters scrambling to document the damage, and that can present an opportunity for remote pilots with the right skills, software, and connections. Read more >

Behind-the-scenes how-to

TechCrunch offers an inside look at the making of a remarkable video. Read more and watch the video >

Drone, helicopter collide

Royal Canadian Mounted Police lost their Aeryon SkyRanger R60 when it collided during an unspecified operation in February with an RCMP helicopter, which had to make a precautionary landing. Read more >

Collision risk prompts reminder

Speaking of keeping unmanned aircraft safely separated, Minnesota state officials remind remote pilots to steer clear of wildfires. Read more >

Gear

Mavics compared

YouTuber Dan Watson takes a deep dive into the DJI Mavic model line. Watch the video >

Dollars for your drone

If you're looking to upgrade, or just get rid of an older UAS, here's some advice on marketing your hardware. Read more >

DIY situational awareness

Learn how to build a useful ground station that can display live weather, airspace restrictions, and more, for about $150 all-in, with a Raspberry Pi processor and a little programming savvy. Read more >

Lifestyle

Behind drone salute scenes

Learn how a drone show saluting health care workers was made. Read more >

Locusts… how 2020 of you

This year's litany of eerily biblical disasters continues: India is battling its largest locust invasion in 30 years with help from drones. Read more >

Public Safety

Rising to the occasion

Norfolk Naval Shipyard used unmanned aircraft to quickly inspect ships for damage following an April storm. Read more >

NYC eyes pandemic drone options

The backlash and aborted deployment of pandemic response drones in Connecticut did not dissuade New York City from inquiring. Read more >

IR drones monitor burning ship

Firefighters in Jacksonville, Florida, deployed drones with infrared sensors to monitor a docked cargo ship that may still be burning by the time you read this. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

Protests surveilled by military-grade drone

Democratic policymakers raised concerns after U.S. Customs and Border Protection flew a large, unmanned aircraft over social justice protesters in Minneapolis.

Lawsuit filed over San Diego tests

A nonprofit news group is suing to force the release of FAA documents related to planned test flights of a military-grade SkyGuardian UAS over San Diego. Read more >

Disney airspace still off-limits

While Mickey and Minnie are on a COVID-19 hiatus, Walt Disney World security is still on the job, and they don't want to see drones over the park. Read more >

News

Tuna tracker

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is tracking elusive fish with unmanned aircraft. Read more >

Ticket to ride?

This new take on drone delivery includes hitching a ride on public transportation. Read more >

Potential within the industry

DroneUp released a report detailing how the industry can navigate "the last mile" of drone delivery and flight. Read more >

Go big or …

Sabrewing Aircraft Co. hopes to become the go-to heavy hauler of the UAS world. Read more >

AirMap offices burned in riot

AirMap's headquarters in Santa Monica, California, were fortunately empty when a fire set during a protest-turned-riot destroyed the building. Read more >