News

How optimistic are stakeholders about the drone industry outlook for 2021?  2020 has been a year to remember, with ups and downs for everyone.  We’ve seen drone conferences go remote, drone delivery expand with COVID, regulations shift and technologies change, and new players emerge as leaders in the industry.  What’s …

OK, so maybe you didn’t get an official Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. That’s OK. You did, however, get a new drone for Christmas, which is much safer and cooler than a 1940s BB …

A Senate Bill, now on the President’s desk, would require changes in the membership composition of the influential Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).   The Drone Advisory Committee was established to provide “independent advice and recommendations” to the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and FAA on drone regulations, according to the DAC …

There are no Grinches at the FAA.  “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced it has granted Santa Claus and his reindeer-powered sleigh special operating authority to engage in interstate air-cargo-delivery services directly to rooftops throughout the United States on Christmas Eve,” says an FAA press release. This year, Santa’s …

 SPH Engineering‘s Drone Show Software (DSS) team initiated the 1st International Drone Show Choreography Competition – and now we have a winner! Angelito D. Jadormeo of the Philippines took 1st place, and you can see his amazing animation below. “Entries were evaluated by an internationally influential jury panel composed of …

Want a feel good drone story for the holidays?  Check out these videos below – while the delivery went simply from the sidewalk to the front yard, kids receiving stockings by drone got a dual gift: the excitement of a holiday present and exposure to new technology. The Auburn-Hills, MI-based …

The next Unmanned Leadership Forum, held January 21, 2021 at 1:00 PM EST will feature leadership from Blue sUAS companies. The Blue sUAS companies have been a hot topic since the list of five “trusted” drone solutions was released by the U.S. Department of Defense.  Now, industry leader Randall Warnas …

Leigh Miller from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0  Can you still buy DJI products in the U.S.?   Last week, the U.S. Department of Commerce decided to include DJI on a blacklist of foreign companies.  Now, the huge community of DJI users in the U.S. has been left unsure of …

Queensland Police Service, CC BY 4.0  DRONERESPONDERS and the Pilot Institute have partnered to provide training and resources on Part 107 for public safety professionals – and help agencies to get a Certificate of Authorization (COA) and build their drone program. DRONERESPONDERS is the leading resource group for public safety …

Medusasami, CC BY-SA 4.0 The drone industry is aware that a functioning Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system is necessary to integrate drones into the airspace.  Beyond UTM, however, there is significant potential for supplemental services that come out of a UTM framework, services that would offer benefits to a wide …