The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), both prominent organizations in the commercial drone industry, have jointly issued a guidance document to help drone operators stay compliant with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) remote ID rule.
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Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. She has been named as one of the 50 Rising Stars of the geospatial industry for the year 2021 by Geospatial World magazine.
DJI Avata 2 drone, Goggles 3 hit FCC ahead of rumored April launch
New listings from DJI have just hit the US FCC database. It looks like the second generation of DJI’s indoor-friendly first-person view (FPV) drone, Avata 2, is ready for release.
Expand Expanding CloseDJI FPV Remote Controller 3, RC Motion 3 hit the FCC database
New DJI drone products have just made their way to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) database. The DJI FPV Remote Controller 3 and RC Motion 3 are now listed with the FCC, indicating the imminent release of new first-person view offerings from the world’s biggest consumer drone maker.
Expand Expanding CloseNew partnership to unify autonomous security drones with robots
Canadian drone maker Draganfly is joining forces with US-based robotics and AI specialist Knightscope to offer highly advanced autonomous aerial platforms to public safety agencies.
Expand Expanding CloseDJI updates Terra drone mapping software
Terra, the all-in-one drone mapping solution from DJI, has received a new update. Version 4.0.8 of the software packs in several bug fixes and optimizations to elevate the user experience.
Expand Expanding CloseMost drone makers not ready for Remote ID, study shows
The Federal Aviation Administration’s policy for exercising discretion in determining whether to take enforcement action for drone pilots not complying with its Remote ID rule ended on March 16. However, research has found that over 70% of major drone manufacturers aren’t ready for Remote ID yet.
Expand Expanding CloseFAA drone Remote ID discretionary enforcement policy ends March 16
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding drone operators that its policy for exercising discretion in determining whether to take enforcement action for pilots who were not able to comply with the Remote ID rule will end this week on March 16. Operators who do not comply after that date could face fines and suspension or revocation of their drone pilot certificates.
Expand Expanding CloseWhich DJI drones have Remote ID? Here’s the complete list [Updated March 2024]
Remote ID is a feature that allows a drone in flight to provide its identification and location information to other parties. The FAA likens it to a “digital license plate” for a drone. Most drones operating in the US airspace are required by law to have this capability. So, which DJI drones currently have Remote ID?
Expand Expanding CloseWhich DJI drones have internal storage?
Several DJI drones and remote controllers come with built-in storage. This internal storage allows you to store high-definition video footage directly onto the drone’s memory without the need for an external memory card. The feature becomes particularly handy when you’ve forgotten your memory card or encounter issues with video recording.
Expand Expanding CloseThis FAA-approved flight planning app offers drone insurance too
AutoPylot, an FAA-approved provider of B4UFLY and LAANC services, has updated its iOS and Google apps to include drone insurance facilities for both recreational pilots and commercial operators. The all-in-one flight planning solution has integrated an insurance program underwritten by Allianz Commercial directly into its platform.
Expand Expanding CloseAlaska bars use of police aircraft, zoom lens photos without warrant
The Alaska Supreme Court has struck down unregulated aerial surveillance of citizens’ homes with high-power zoom lenses. This ruling stems from a 2012 drug crime case where a man was arrested after officers flew over his property and took pictures of his marijuana plants without a search warrant. Here’s what happened…
Expand Expanding CloseVerizon replacing drone fleet with Skydio X10 for crisis response
Verizon says it has partnered with Skydio to operate the X10 as its primary drone while providing on-demand assistance to government agencies and emergency responders during crisis situations.
Expand Expanding CloseNew UT probe for Elios 3 indoor drone captures A-scans remotely
Confined spaces and indoor drone specialist Flyability has released a new ultrasonic thickness (UT) measurement probe for the Elios 3. The payload has been developed in partnership with ultrasonic tech specialist Cygnus Instruments, so certified UT inspectors can take accurate thickness measurements under ISO 16809 compliance and back them up with high-resolution A-scans in the most challenging areas.
Expand Expanding CloseDronetag releases new Remote ID module weighing just 5 grams
With the FAA’s March 16 drone Remote ID enforcement deadline fast approaching, Czech startup Dronetag has unveiled the next generation of its Remote ID module for FPV pilots, aeromodelers, and recreational drone pilots. Dronetag BS Gen 2 is a standalone, battery-powered solution that weighs just 5 grams.
Expand Expanding CloseDJI releases new Action 2 camera bundles with 4x storage
Tech giant DJI has launched two new versions of its most innovative action camera, Action 2. The upgraded Action 2 Dual-Screen Combo and Action 2 Power Combo expand the internal recording limit from 32GB to 128GB for increased storage. Plus you get more versatile magnetic accessories in the box, such as a headband.
Expand Expanding CloseThis tool improves police drone accountability, fosters public trust
Drone fleet management platform AirData says it is encouraging law enforcement transparency by making more public-facing features available to community-oriented police departments across the US. The company’s Public Portal program boosts public trust by improving accountability in drone use.
Expand Expanding CloseDJI opens its first official retail store in US (see photos)
The wait for an official DJI retail store in the US is now over. DJI’s brand-new concept store, its first in North America, has opened its doors on New York City’s famed Fifth Avenue today.
Expand Expanding CloseDJI responds to US bill seeking blanket ban on its drones
Tech giant DJI has provided a detailed response to legislation that seeks to ban its drones in the US. If passed, the “Countering CCP Drones Act” would prevent operators from buying the latest DJI drones — and may also potentially ground existing fleets, regardless of how operators use them — because it would prohibit DJI from operating on US communications infrastructure. The bill has already advanced to clear a Congress committee hearing.
Expand Expanding ClosePolice drones to monitor spring break crowds at Miami Beach
US drone maker Skydio says the Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) plans to use its new X10 drones to monitor spring break 2024 crowds. The MBPD has previously used Skydio drones during large-scale public events such as Art Week 2023 and New Year’s Eve to help protect event attendees and keep the community at large safe.
Expand Expanding CloseOhio to monitor traffic along US Route 33 with a 20-pound drone
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has gained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly a large drone over a portion of the US 33 corridor northwest of Columbus. A 20-pound drone will now fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) to monitor traffic and assist with incident management.
Expand Expanding CloseHow Red Bull built a drone to catch F1 champ Max Verstappen
The inside story of how Red Bull took DIY engineering to the next level to build a rocket-shaped drone that could keep up with an F1 car on the track.
Expand Expanding CloseAmerican Robotics, Airobotics parent company outlines corporate rejig
Aerial tech and communications group Ondas Holdings has announced the establishment of Ondas Autonomous Holdings (OAH) — a new, wholly-owned subsidiary that would oversee drone sector subsidiaries American Robotics and Airobotics.
Expand Expanding CloseSkydio begins delivery of X10D drone with dynamic channel switching
US drone maker Skydio says it has begun delivery of the first X10Ds, the company’s new flagship drone for defense and government applications. The X10D is essentially an offline variant of Skydio’s X10 platform with advanced AI. It comes with a new feature called dynamic channel switching that helps operators monitor signal interference and move to a clearer channel to improve wireless transmission signal quality during flight.
Expand Expanding CloseDrone safety parachute maker eyes counter-drone solutions in strategic pivot
ParaZero, an Israel-based company that builds drone safety systems for commercial aircraft and urban air mobility vehicles, says it plans to develop anti-drone solutions. The pivot comes amid reports that counter-drone tech could become a $15 billion market by 2032.
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