More nuclear plant incursions; Wildfire images, interference


VOL 4, ISSUE 19	September 15, 2020

Top Stories

Nuclear plant intrusions proliferate

Documents reveal that 24 nuclear power plants experienced at least 57 drone incursions over five years. The unsolved cases highlight the potential threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.) Read more >

Historic wildfires create stunning scenes

A record 2.3 million acres have burned as wildfires rage through California, Oregon, and Washington, forcing thousands from their homes. Drones flown in San Francisco documented the darkened sky. Read more and view a photo gallery >

Just… don't

With fires flattening homes and claiming lives, California firefighters have lost critical time to drone incursions. Never fly near active fires—and speak up if you see someone else doing so. Read more >

Training and Safety

Accident analysis suggests mode-switch surprise

Firefighter, pilot, and AOPA Drone Pilot contributor Steve Rhode provides insight and analysis of a recent incident that brought a DJI Matrice 200 to the ground with frightening force. Read more >

Virtual Commercial UAV Expo kicks off

Remote flying demonstrations (really, really remote) and speakers are going virtual at the Commercial UAV Expo September 15 through 17. Read more and register >

Pennsylvania drone show coming up (also virtual)

The Pennsylvania Drone Association will host a virtual gathering of public and private operators, regulators, and industry leaders September 29 through October 1. Read more and register >

Play it safe

A Michigan airport official hopes to educate hobbyists about drone safety. Read more and watch a video >

Drones delay more games

Major League Baseball continues to grapple with drone incursions that halt games. Remember, flight restrictions around sporting events remain in effect, with or without the crowd. Read more >

Gear

This not-so-little light of mine…

A remote pilot stuck at home during the pandemic used the downtime to build a small drone with a powerful LED light attached, and then used the rig to good effect. Watch the video >

Offering what others don't

Anduril's Ghost 4 is designed and manufactured in the United States and offers a unique closed-loop network to prevent data loss concerns. The new drone boasts a 100-minute flight time and has already landed an order from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Read more >

DJI enhances data privacy

The Chinese drone market leader now prohibited from federal use in the United States plans to release another update allowing customers enhanced data privacy. Read more >

Security concerns slowly open door for competition

As security concerns persist around Chinese drones, smaller manufacturers hope to capitalize on demand for alternatives. Read more >

Lifestyle

Race to your doorstep

Walmart Inc. hopes to keep pace with Amazon in the drone delivery race, partnering with Flytrex in North Carolina, while Zipline will deliver the goods in Arkansas.

Perspective on the pasture

An aerial view revealed remnants of a large Native American settlement buried under a Kansas ranch. Read more >

Drone film noir

Not only does a French feature film use drone footage for cinematic effect, the drone itself is part of the story of a crime witnessed from above. Read more >

Public Safety

May we borrow that?

A partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and Wilmington, North Carolina, has put loaner drones and other military gear into the hands of local law enforcement. Read more >

Long-term damage assessment

Hurricane Laura's storm surge displaced sand and damaged vegetation on the Texas coast. A yearlong analysis will assess what it will take to restore damaged beaches. Read more >

Proactive firefighting

West Coast companies are teaming up to monitor infrastructure and the power grid to prevent ailing equipment from causing forest fires. Read more >

Regulation and Policy

AOPA reiterates call for more flexible remote ID

As the FAA digests comments on its proposed rule for remote identification and tracking of unmanned aircraft, AOPA reiterated shared concern over maintaining airspace access for hobbyists in a joint letter also signed by the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Read the letter >

Judge rules aerial surveillance needs warrant

The Alaska Court of Appeals ruled that law enforcement must obtain a warrant before taking flight to capture images of private property. Read more >

News

Frigid depths

Drones probed some of the deepest ice caverns in the world to monitor underground water. Read more and watch a video >

Overhead highway engineer

Unmanned aircraft help Brown County, Minnesota's highway department monitor drainage projects, inspect infrastructure, and survey construction. Read more >