Local approach to integration; Mystery drone buzzes CBP helo


VOL 5, ISSUE 11	May 25, 2021

Top Stories

A model of drone integration

This rural Maryland airport is positioned to set the stage for safely integrating unmanned aircraft, and the right people are in place to make it happen. (Photo courtesy of Ed Chambers.) Read more >

'Highly modified' mystery drone buzzed federal helicopter

Authorities tracked an unidentified aircraft for more than an hour at altitudes up to 14,000 feet after it buzzed a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter over Arizona, adding to a growing list of mysterious encounters. Read more >

Training and Safety

Check your props

A British rail inspection program came to a grinding halt after a DJI Phantom 4 lost a propeller, flipped upside down, and accelerated into the ground, crashing too close to a person for comfort. Read the official report >

NTSB proposes expanded drone investigation criteria

The NTSB proposed adjusting the criteria for triggering an investigation to include certified or otherwise FAA-approved systems regardless of weight. Package delivery drones are part of the reason. Read more, submit comments by July 20 >

What the FAA is looking for

If you plan to ask the FAA for permission to operate beyond the limits of Part 107, the agency has published detailed guidance on how to make a successful request. Read more >

Lessons learned

The May issue of the Callback newsletter from the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System explains the benefits of filing an ASRS report for UAS operations, with a few recent examples. Read the issue >

Pursuit of safety continues

Steve Rhode, a North Carolina firefighter, pilot, and proponent of safe and effective public safety aviation, will continue offering insight, advice, and news on his website. Visit Public Safety Flight and sign up for updates >

Lifestyle

Pushing for air mobility

Personal travel and package delivery are among the goals as NASA and the Ohio Department of Transportation collaborate to advance air mobility. Read more >

Now that is a lot of drones

The Shanghai skyline was lit up more than usual by 3,281 drones, reported by Guinness as a new Guinness World Record. Read more and watch a video >

Infrastructure overhaul would create work for drones

A major overhaul of U.S. infrastructure would create many opportunities for remote pilots. Read more >

News

DJI phasing out legacy enterprise models

Various DJI enterprise drones are slated to end production, with termination of product support to follow. While this may mean new models are coming, it will reduce the utility of legacy systems for those who operate these older aircraft in a standardized, compliance-minded environment. Read more >

Legacy drones did these

Balance your thirst for the latest and greatest against these impressive short films from 2016 featuring footage captured by older models that stood the test of time:

Award-winning landscapes in Perspective by Jay Worsley.
A DJI Phantom 3 handled the aerials in Discovered by Derek Chan Films.
South American aerials from a DJI Phantom 2 make Elementos by golgovideos worth another look.

Eyes in air speed power restoration

A utility company gets the lights back on fast thanks to damage assessments from UAS that are shared in real time with workers assembling equipment and materials to make the repairs. Read more and watch a video >

Rural US to receive vaccine from the air

Drones may deliver COVID-19 vaccines to people in remote rural communities, and to those who work offshore aboard oil rigs. Read more >

Hurricane drone does not return to home

An upgraded National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration drone with a one-way mission to watery oblivion will have four hours of service life to capture hurricane data not available by other means. Read more >

Seized assets fund drone program

Chicago police used forfeited proceeds seized in criminal activities to fund UAS acquisitions. Read more >

Minnesota law focuses on transparency

Minnesota's newest drone law requires public agencies to submit an annual usage report and cost analysis. Read more >

More drone news coming

The July issue of AOPA Pilot magazine will feature an in-depth look at a standardized pilot training tool created for public safety professionals. Join AOPA (or renew your membership) to follow our future unmanned aviation coverage.