The FUTURE
2016
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Astonishing «A Drone Through Africa» by Ryan Rapapor
Rhino Africa takes African travel to new heights in creative video campaign
News:
Spanish
Portuguese
10 Tips to Improve Your Drone Footage
droneblog.com
By Rudy Dewatine -
December 30, 2016
There is a difference between flying your drone for fun and using it to shoot great APV (Aerial Photography and Video).
Shooting good footage takes a lot of practice. Here are some tips you can use to improve your overall experience:
1. Make a list, check it twice
Always check your equipment before any flight with a drone.
Just like pilots always go over their plane before takeoff, so should you have a pre-flight checklist you use religiously before every flight.
After all, the last thing you need is to crash your drone or lose it! Here are some easy things to check out before your fly:
These are some of the most basic checks to do.
Take your time and make your own checklist with more items. The more careful you are, the better things will be during flight!
Always check your equipment before any flight with a drone.
Just like pilots always go over their plane before takeoff, so should you have a pre-flight checklist you use religiously before every flight.
After all, the last thing you need is to crash your drone or lose it! Here are some easy things to check out before your fly:
- Battery capacity
- Loose parts
- Tightness of propellers
- Landing gear
- Camera
- Surroundings clear
- Calibration of controller
These are some of the most basic checks to do.
Take your time and make your own checklist with more items. The more careful you are, the better things will be during flight!
2. Keep your shots smooth and long
When you take your first shot using the drone, keep the positioning time maximized.
Try not to let the drone move at all.
If you’re a pro, you can probably work with the sway and changes in speed. For the amateur, it is better to remain at a constant speed in a good relative position.
If you’re accelerating or slowing down, do so very slowly.
3. Make your shots last longer than you need them to be
The most annoying thing for a drone flier is coming back to the editing table, loading up the footage recorded and finding out that there can’t be any fine-tuning of the end of the flight footage.
This is because most amateurs make the mistake of cutting the video off at the point they think is the end of the required footage.
As a rule of thumb, try to keep your footage ten seconds longer than is actually necessary. You gain the ability to edit the end of your video in peace.
4. Use filters from PolarPro on your lens
Whether you use a GoPro or the stock camera, a PP filter will not go amiss.
Even if you are shooting in low light, these filters allow for gorgeous visuals to be recorded.
You can use them to create the blur effect common in cinematic shots as well as removing sunlight’s effect on shots and changing the contrast.
You can also reduce the impact of overexposing the lens when shooting a target that is moving at speed.
5. Use a gimbal for your camera
A gimbal is a mount that allows you to stabilize your shots even when there is wind rocking the body of the drone.
Best drone gimbals offer 3-axis stabilization, which reduces the “Jell-O” effect of a rocking drone significantly and allows for sharper, smoother, more stable shots across the board.
6. Plan everything out beforehand
This is a very important part of your recording experience.
Before you take to the skies, think about the objectives of the flight.
Build a scenario in your head and plan out all the positioning, flight paths and movements you make.
Use pencil and paper if you want to. After you have planned it out, take your drone out and practice the movements, so you get them down pat.
When you have mastered your flight path, you can aim for more gorgeous shots that show a practiced hand behind them.
7. Start out slow
Slow flight is the best to increase footage quality.
Explore the area and let your viewers do the same through your footage.
The slower the flight, the more controlled the recorded video appears.
8. Don’t rush into it
When shooting, try to build the tension up.
Don’t aim straight for your main target during shooting. Let the viewer see the surroundings first, then gradually reveal the main subject of the shot.
9. Take advantage of the golden hour
This is the hour called twilight by some and dawn by others. It is the hour right before sunset and right after sunrise.
The blend of colors in the sky is truly majestic to behold at this time.
10. Mess with your settings!
Play around with the settings on your GoPro or stock camera to find the best ratios and settings for your goals.
Use different angles, contrast settings and exposures to get the best possible footage!
When you take your first shot using the drone, keep the positioning time maximized.
Try not to let the drone move at all.
If you’re a pro, you can probably work with the sway and changes in speed. For the amateur, it is better to remain at a constant speed in a good relative position.
If you’re accelerating or slowing down, do so very slowly.
3. Make your shots last longer than you need them to be
The most annoying thing for a drone flier is coming back to the editing table, loading up the footage recorded and finding out that there can’t be any fine-tuning of the end of the flight footage.
This is because most amateurs make the mistake of cutting the video off at the point they think is the end of the required footage.
As a rule of thumb, try to keep your footage ten seconds longer than is actually necessary. You gain the ability to edit the end of your video in peace.
4. Use filters from PolarPro on your lens
Whether you use a GoPro or the stock camera, a PP filter will not go amiss.
Even if you are shooting in low light, these filters allow for gorgeous visuals to be recorded.
You can use them to create the blur effect common in cinematic shots as well as removing sunlight’s effect on shots and changing the contrast.
You can also reduce the impact of overexposing the lens when shooting a target that is moving at speed.
5. Use a gimbal for your camera
A gimbal is a mount that allows you to stabilize your shots even when there is wind rocking the body of the drone.
Best drone gimbals offer 3-axis stabilization, which reduces the “Jell-O” effect of a rocking drone significantly and allows for sharper, smoother, more stable shots across the board.
6. Plan everything out beforehand
This is a very important part of your recording experience.
Before you take to the skies, think about the objectives of the flight.
Build a scenario in your head and plan out all the positioning, flight paths and movements you make.
Use pencil and paper if you want to. After you have planned it out, take your drone out and practice the movements, so you get them down pat.
When you have mastered your flight path, you can aim for more gorgeous shots that show a practiced hand behind them.
7. Start out slow
Slow flight is the best to increase footage quality.
Explore the area and let your viewers do the same through your footage.
The slower the flight, the more controlled the recorded video appears.
8. Don’t rush into it
When shooting, try to build the tension up.
Don’t aim straight for your main target during shooting. Let the viewer see the surroundings first, then gradually reveal the main subject of the shot.
9. Take advantage of the golden hour
This is the hour called twilight by some and dawn by others. It is the hour right before sunset and right after sunrise.
The blend of colors in the sky is truly majestic to behold at this time.
10. Mess with your settings!
Play around with the settings on your GoPro or stock camera to find the best ratios and settings for your goals.
Use different angles, contrast settings and exposures to get the best possible footage!
Read more at:
How to improve your flying: 5 tips to sweet acro flying
droneblog.com
By Shabbir Nooruddin
December 27, 2016
Flying FPV is such a liberating and rewarding experience, and watching prop pilots that fly crazy fast, silky smooth, or doing dizzying flips is what draws most of us to the hobby to start with.
If you’ve ever flown a quadcopter, though, you’ll know that the pros make these tricks seem much easier than they are. With a little practice though, you can greatly improve your flying and start doing awesome tricks and fly like a pro.
Tip 1: Use a simulator
FPV takes a while to get used to, so while you’re waiting for your parts to come in the mail, use a simulator like LiftOff or Velocidrone (my two favorites) to get used to how quadcopters respond to your stick inputs.
More sim time will also help build muscle memory for basic controls like flying forwards and level, turning properly, and coordinated flying.
Muscle memory is the key here – the more you fly, the better you’ll get.
FPV takes a while to get used to, so while you’re waiting for your parts to come in the mail, use a simulator like LiftOff or Velocidrone (my two favorites) to get used to how quadcopters respond to your stick inputs.
More sim time will also help build muscle memory for basic controls like flying forwards and level, turning properly, and coordinated flying.
Muscle memory is the key here – the more you fly, the better you’ll get.
Tip 2: Always push your limits
If you go flying and fly the exact same routine every day, you’ll get really, really good at that skill set and develop consistency, but you may not get comfortable with doing new stuff.
What I like to do is if I have 7 lipos on me, I’ll fly 4-5 lipos on my regular routine, doing things I am comfortable with, and I’ll really push myself on the last two lipos.
The reason I save pushing myself for last is that it’s very likely I am going to have a nasty crash which I may not be able to repair on the field, and to me, nothing sucks more than having to go home and discharging the batteries manually.
If you’re tight on budget and can’t afford more than one setup at once, use my method. Before you push yourself on the field, it’s a good idea to practice the move a few times on the simulator.
If you go flying and fly the exact same routine every day, you’ll get really, really good at that skill set and develop consistency, but you may not get comfortable with doing new stuff.
What I like to do is if I have 7 lipos on me, I’ll fly 4-5 lipos on my regular routine, doing things I am comfortable with, and I’ll really push myself on the last two lipos.
The reason I save pushing myself for last is that it’s very likely I am going to have a nasty crash which I may not be able to repair on the field, and to me, nothing sucks more than having to go home and discharging the batteries manually.
The other option is, of course, to have multiple setups
If you’re tight on budget and can’t afford more than one setup at once, use my method. Before you push yourself on the field, it’s a good idea to practice the move a few times on the simulator.
Tip 3: Slowly increase your rates and get comfortable
Pilots like Mr Steele do crazy fast flips and rolls – they’re able to do this because their rates (how fast the quadcopter responds to stick inputs) are fairly high. In the new Betaflight configurator (and in KISS too), when you configure your rates, you’ll be able to see how many revolutions per second your quadcopter can do.
The revolutions per second is how many revolutions it would do if the stick was at full deflection.
My rates for example are such that the quadcopter can do 1100 revolutions per second, which is about one entire flip/roll in 1/3 of a second.
I didn’t start out this way, though. My initial rates were closer to one flip in half a second to 2/3 of a second, and I gradually increased the rates as I got more and more comfortable.
As a beginner, I tended to mash the sticks too much and as a result, I’d crash nearly immediately. When your fingers get more used to sensitive inputs and doing minor corrections, you can increase your rates until you get them to a point you are both satisfied with and comfortable with.
Tip 4: Combine tricks
After a while, simple flips and rolls will get boring, but then you can start combining flips with rolls, so you can do a flip and a roll, a half roll and a flip, the combinations are limitless.
An extended, elongated flip is a power loop, a half roll followed by a slow half flip back up is a split-S, and the list goes on.
To further push yourself, combine the tricks around and under obstacles.
After a while, simple flips and rolls will get boring, but then you can start combining flips with rolls, so you can do a flip and a roll, a half roll and a flip, the combinations are limitless.
An extended, elongated flip is a power loop, a half roll followed by a slow half flip back up is a split-S, and the list goes on.
To further push yourself, combine the tricks around and under obstacles.
Tip 5: Be aware of momentum
When you’re flying in one direction and suddenly turn around, your quadcopter will still have momentum in the original direction unless you boost the throttle to arrest the original momentum and create new momentum.
When flying FPV, a simple maneuver can easily reorient the camera in a new direction but you may not have lost the momentum. That’s why you sometimes end up drifting a lot more in turns unless you give throttle to push yourself over the new direction.
The same momentum can be really handy when you are doing tricks, though. Have you ever seen videos where the pilot seems to make the quadcopter float, completely against the laws of physics?
You can do that by throttling up very fast, and flipping/rolling the quad upside down before losing the upwards momentum, so you’ll still have some upwards momentum left even while you’re upside down.
When you’re flying in one direction and suddenly turn around, your quadcopter will still have momentum in the original direction unless you boost the throttle to arrest the original momentum and create new momentum.
When flying FPV, a simple maneuver can easily reorient the camera in a new direction but you may not have lost the momentum. That’s why you sometimes end up drifting a lot more in turns unless you give throttle to push yourself over the new direction.
The same momentum can be really handy when you are doing tricks, though. Have you ever seen videos where the pilot seems to make the quadcopter float, completely against the laws of physics?
You can do that by throttling up very fast, and flipping/rolling the quad upside down before losing the upwards momentum, so you’ll still have some upwards momentum left even while you’re upside down.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, what matters is that you get stick time – lots and lots of it. The more you can get out there and fly, the better you will get.
Like everything else, the old adage holds especially true with quadcopters: practice makes perfect.
At the end of the day, what matters is that you get stick time – lots and lots of it. The more you can get out there and fly, the better you will get.
Like everything else, the old adage holds especially true with quadcopters: practice makes perfect.
Sweden May Be Backing Up on Drone Ban
dronelife.comBY MIRIAM MCNABB
DECEMBER 30, 2016
Sweden may be set to reverse their draconian ruling against camera drones.
Last October, Sweden introduced a controversial drone law ruling that camera drones fell under the same regulation as surveillance cameras. Under Swedish law, that means that any drone operator would need to acquire a permit from the local county administrative board before flying.
Media companies and trade organizations were quick to point out that the new law went too far, adn would be almost impossible to implement. Critics complained that the law would serve to all but ban camera drones outright: “With Sweden’s Data Protection Authority (Datainspektionen) typically only granting permits when the goal of filming is to prevent crime or accidents, the shift was interpreted as a disaster for the growing number of companies and videographers using the new technology to capture images previously unattainable without access to expensive filming gear,” said The Local in Sweden.
The Swedish government may now be set to reverse the new rule, announcing this week that the government plans to change the requirement for media to acquire a permit before operating a drone.
Following the criticism, the Swedish government this week announced that it wants to change the rule that a permit is required for using the devices to film. Following the typical government process, the new law could come into effect this spring.
Johan Lindqvist of drone trade association UAS Sweden is cautiously optimistic:
“We’re optimistic. The Swedish government has realized that the old camera surveillance laws were outdated before they were even applied. Some parts are from the early 1970s and a lot of things have happened since then,” he told The Local. “It is positive that the government has put out a referral for a fast change in the surveillance act, but still, a change will not be effective until summer 2017. Who will the law as it is right now apply to? Will professional operators have an exemption until the change?”
The government says that it will not change the law relating to drone harassment.
Read more at:
GOT A NEW DRONE? 7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING STARTED
thedronegirl.com
SALLY FRENCH
DECEMBER 30, 2016
So you got a drone. Congrats! Now what?
There’s a lot you need to know about getting started before you even get your drone in the air (sorry). From registering, to getting a license, to knowing where you can fly, here’s everything you need to do before you get to the fun part — flying!
Register it. Is your drone more than 0.55 lbs and less than 55 lbs? You need to register yourself as a drone operator with the FAA. The process is easy. Simply visit the FAA’s drone registration website and create an account. You’ll have to enter your address, phone number and email. You’ll also have to pay the $5 registration fee. From there, you’ll receive a Registration number, which you need to simply need to affix somewhere on your drone. I recommend writing it with Sharpie on a piece of masking tape, so you can easily remove it should you decide to sell or give away your drone. (The registration number is tied to the pilot, not the drone).
Get a Part 107 license if you intend to fly drones commercially. Do you intend to make money off your drone? Will you sell the videos you take from it or use it for some other sort of paid service? You need a commercial license, which you can get by passing a written test — similar to the permit test you took when you were 15 before getting a driver’s license. Here’s my guide to everything you need to know about the Part 107 test. If you’re looking to take a Part 107 online study course, I personally used (and highly recommend!) Drone Pilot Ground School. But, here’s a list of other training courses if you’re interested.
4. Start with a cheap, toy drone. Good-quality camera drones like the DJI Mavic or the Autel X-Star are easier to fly than ever. But that does NOT make them idiot-proof. Once in your lifetime you will crash into something. Make it a cheap, toy drone, and not your expensive one. The harder to fly, the better! That way, you’ll be a master by the time you get to your fancy drone. You would way rather fly the $30 toy drone into the pool than your new DJI Mavic, right? Trust me, I’ve heard way too many stories of this happening.
5. Fly in open space. If you MUST fly your brand new DJI Mavic now and skip step 4, at least start in open space. A football field, a desert, basically anywhere with minimal trees or water is excellent.
6. Follow the FAA’s operating rules. This includes:
Yield right of way to manned aircraft
Keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight)
Notify airport and air traffic control tower before flying within 5 miles of an airport
7. Join a flying community. The best way to learn how to be a better pilot is to fly with others! Look for local meetup groups. I started with a group I found on Meetup.com. I’ve also seen local groups on Facebook. Search for a local group near you!
DECEMBER 30, 2016
So you got a drone. Congrats! Now what?
There’s a lot you need to know about getting started before you even get your drone in the air (sorry). From registering, to getting a license, to knowing where you can fly, here’s everything you need to do before you get to the fun part — flying!
Register it. Is your drone more than 0.55 lbs and less than 55 lbs? You need to register yourself as a drone operator with the FAA. The process is easy. Simply visit the FAA’s drone registration website and create an account. You’ll have to enter your address, phone number and email. You’ll also have to pay the $5 registration fee. From there, you’ll receive a Registration number, which you need to simply need to affix somewhere on your drone. I recommend writing it with Sharpie on a piece of masking tape, so you can easily remove it should you decide to sell or give away your drone. (The registration number is tied to the pilot, not the drone).
Get a Part 107 license if you intend to fly drones commercially. Do you intend to make money off your drone? Will you sell the videos you take from it or use it for some other sort of paid service? You need a commercial license, which you can get by passing a written test — similar to the permit test you took when you were 15 before getting a driver’s license. Here’s my guide to everything you need to know about the Part 107 test. If you’re looking to take a Part 107 online study course, I personally used (and highly recommend!) Drone Pilot Ground School. But, here’s a list of other training courses if you’re interested.
Make sure you are allowed to fly in the air you intend to fly in. You can legally fly in Class G airspace without needing any type of approval. However, if you are flying in Class B or C airspace — which will happen if you’re near an airport, or other controlled airspace, you’re going to need permission. Still need to fly in a restricted area? Here’s my guide on how to do it. Don’t know what the heck Class G Airspace is? AirMap made a handy app where you simply imput the address of where you’re flying, and it tells you if you’re clear to fly or not.
Learn to fly on something you can afford to crash, like this $25 TDR Spider drone.
4. Start with a cheap, toy drone. Good-quality camera drones like the DJI Mavic or the Autel X-Star are easier to fly than ever. But that does NOT make them idiot-proof. Once in your lifetime you will crash into something. Make it a cheap, toy drone, and not your expensive one. The harder to fly, the better! That way, you’ll be a master by the time you get to your fancy drone. You would way rather fly the $30 toy drone into the pool than your new DJI Mavic, right? Trust me, I’ve heard way too many stories of this happening.
5. Fly in open space. If you MUST fly your brand new DJI Mavic now and skip step 4, at least start in open space. A football field, a desert, basically anywhere with minimal trees or water is excellent.
6. Follow the FAA’s operating rules. This includes:
Yield right of way to manned aircraft
Keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight)
Notify airport and air traffic control tower before flying within 5 miles of an airport
7. Join a flying community. The best way to learn how to be a better pilot is to fly with others! Look for local meetup groups. I started with a group I found on Meetup.com. I’ve also seen local groups on Facebook. Search for a local group near you!
Read more at:
Friday, December 30, 2016
Northern Plains Gets First in the Nation COA for Beyond-Line-of-Sight Operability
uasvision.com
Senator John Hoeven
North Dakota is ideally suited to support beyond line of sight operations with the combination of an FAA test site, the Grand Sky Technology Park and Grand Forks Air Force Base, which hosts the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system. Grand Forks Air Force Base uses a DASR-11 digital radar system. The system helps operators track unmanned aircraft so they can fly safely even when beyond the sight of the UAS operator. Hoeven secured funding for upgrades to this system and a similar system at Hector Field in Fargo earlier this year as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site will continue to use a chase plane until the Grand Sky Technology Park implements a scheduled software upgrade to its system so that it can link to the DASR-11 radar at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Source: Press Release
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/30/northern-plains-gets-first-in-the-nation-coa-for-beyond-line-of-sight-operability/
December 30, 2016
Senator John Hoeven has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a certificate of authorization (COA) for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to oversee unmanned aircraft operations that go beyond the line of sight of the operator.
The North Dakota test site is the first in the nation to have such beyond-line-of-sight operability. This means the test site will be able to support the development, testing and evaluation of a wide range of new applications for UAS technology, giving the state a competitive edge.
“The FAA’s approval of this COA is a major step forward for North Dakota and the UAS industry in general because UAS will have to be able to fly beyond the line of sight in order to operate concurrently with piloted aircraft in the National Air Space,” Hoeven said. “This authorization will help companies like General Atomics, Northrop Grumman and future tenants at the Grand Sky technology park test and evaluate complex UAS operations possible nowhere else in the nation. It also makes North Dakota an attractive place for government agencies like NASA, the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security to integrate UAS into the national airspace system.”
Senator John Hoeven has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a certificate of authorization (COA) for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to oversee unmanned aircraft operations that go beyond the line of sight of the operator.
The North Dakota test site is the first in the nation to have such beyond-line-of-sight operability. This means the test site will be able to support the development, testing and evaluation of a wide range of new applications for UAS technology, giving the state a competitive edge.
“The FAA’s approval of this COA is a major step forward for North Dakota and the UAS industry in general because UAS will have to be able to fly beyond the line of sight in order to operate concurrently with piloted aircraft in the National Air Space,” Hoeven said. “This authorization will help companies like General Atomics, Northrop Grumman and future tenants at the Grand Sky technology park test and evaluate complex UAS operations possible nowhere else in the nation. It also makes North Dakota an attractive place for government agencies like NASA, the Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security to integrate UAS into the national airspace system.”
Senator John Hoeven
North Dakota is ideally suited to support beyond line of sight operations with the combination of an FAA test site, the Grand Sky Technology Park and Grand Forks Air Force Base, which hosts the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system. Grand Forks Air Force Base uses a DASR-11 digital radar system. The system helps operators track unmanned aircraft so they can fly safely even when beyond the sight of the UAS operator. Hoeven secured funding for upgrades to this system and a similar system at Hector Field in Fargo earlier this year as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site will continue to use a chase plane until the Grand Sky Technology Park implements a scheduled software upgrade to its system so that it can link to the DASR-11 radar at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Source: Press Release
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/30/northern-plains-gets-first-in-the-nation-coa-for-beyond-line-of-sight-operability/
NASA X-56 Moment of Inertia Tests
December 30, 2016
NASA X-56 Moment of Inertia Tests
Engineers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center examined the X-56 Multi-Use Technology Testbed as the aircraft underwent “moment of inertia” testing in the center’s Flight Loads Laboratory (FLL).
The tests, which were the final series for the vehicle in the FLL, featured a swing test to determine how easy or difficult it is for the vehicle to pitch up or down. Tools to assist researchers during the tests included everything from a laser ball and tracker to a simple stop watch. Data from the tests will go towards updating the finite element model, bringing the team closer to possible flight testing.
Source: YouTube
Read more at:
5 Tips for Better Drone Photos
dronelife.com
BY MALEK MURISON
DECEMBER 27, 2016
Maybe you’ve just got a drone for Christmas or maybe you’ve been flying for a while. Either way, we’re all looking for some easy steps to take to improve our aerial photography and make the most of having an eye in the sky. Here are our five top tips for better drone photos.
Think about the time of day
One thing that many pilots don’t consider when planning a flight is the time of day. We’re not talking about day or night. We’re talking about the difference between morning, midday and afternoon, which is huge in the world of photography.
When it comes to light quality, the time of day you choose to fly at is going to have a significant impact. For example, first thing in the morning the light is going to be softer and create more contrast in your photos and videos. Colours will come across as more warm in the early morning and late afternoon because the sun will be lower in the sky. More often than not, this makes these particular times of day best for landscape photography and better drone photos in general.
Choosing a good time of day for aerial photography can help you blend shadow and texture into your shots.
Read more: Top Resources to Improve Your Aerial Photography
Obviously, the main impact that the time of day has on your photography will be the direction that the light is coming from. Aerial photographers wanting to make the most of the interplay between sun and landscape will have to take the direction of light into account. For a detailed view of what the light is doing at your chosen location at a chosen time, try using the iOS app Photopills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris on android.
One thing that many pilots don’t consider when planning a flight is the time of day. We’re not talking about day or night. We’re talking about the difference between morning, midday and afternoon, which is huge in the world of photography.
When it comes to light quality, the time of day you choose to fly at is going to have a significant impact. For example, first thing in the morning the light is going to be softer and create more contrast in your photos and videos. Colours will come across as more warm in the early morning and late afternoon because the sun will be lower in the sky. More often than not, this makes these particular times of day best for landscape photography and better drone photos in general.
Choosing a good time of day for aerial photography can help you blend shadow and texture into your shots.
Read more: Top Resources to Improve Your Aerial Photography
Obviously, the main impact that the time of day has on your photography will be the direction that the light is coming from. Aerial photographers wanting to make the most of the interplay between sun and landscape will have to take the direction of light into account. For a detailed view of what the light is doing at your chosen location at a chosen time, try using the iOS app Photopills or The Photographer’s Ephemeris on android.
Make the most of altitude
Your camera is attached to a drone, so you might as well make the most of it. Half of the fun of drone photography is capturing landscapes and objects from new angles and perspectives.
It goes without saying that the higher you are, the more landscape features you’ll be able to cram into your shots. Alternatively, a close-up from above can also offer a unique and engaging perspective. Better drone photos require a little experimentation, so vary your altitude and see how it goes.
Your camera is attached to a drone, so you might as well make the most of it. Half of the fun of drone photography is capturing landscapes and objects from new angles and perspectives.
It goes without saying that the higher you are, the more landscape features you’ll be able to cram into your shots. Alternatively, a close-up from above can also offer a unique and engaging perspective. Better drone photos require a little experimentation, so vary your altitude and see how it goes.
Plan your shots and reap the rewards
We’ve already mentioned the importance of factoring in what the light conditions will be like for your aerial shoot. But while thinking about the time of day is vital, it’s also worth thinking about your flight plan and how the two will intertwine.
Apps such as Airnest allow for detailed but simple flight planning.
Having a flight plan in mind and (ideally) pre-programmed allows you to think about your subject and decide how best to capture it. You’re bound to get better results having pre-planned your routes and altitudes, so why wing it?
Shoot in RAW
What does that even mean? Well, RAW is a file format, just like JPEG or MP4. The difference is that it captures all of the image data recorded by your drone when you take a photo. Often shooting in a format like JPEG means that images are compressed and vital detail is lost. RAW allows you to produce higher quality images that you can then process afterwards, changing the subtle details that would be unrecoverable if shot in another format.
Post-processing
We’ve been through the importance of post-processing before. Often your photos and videos will require a bit of touching up to bring the best out of them, whether that’s editing the contrast, bracketing, cutting videos down to the highlights, or resizing, straightening and colour correcting images.
There are plenty of software packages you can use to bring out the best in your drone photography. Check out our separate post on post-processing and video editing tools.
Read more at:
New Traffic Management for Drones Solution: Geofencing and Drone Zones
dronelife.comBY MIRIAM MCNABB
DECEMBER 28, 2016
The newest plan for air traffic control for drones comes out of a country that sees a good plan as an urgent necessity: Singapore.
The commercial drone industry in Singapore has seen fast expansion. With limited airspace and a dense population, researchers say that the need for an aerial traffic management system that includes drones has become urgent.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have taken up the challenge. “The aim is to develop a traffic management system for UAVs consisting designated air-lanes and blocks, similar to how cars on the roads have traffic lights and lanes,” says a University press release.
The plan includes the development of technologies that could be used internationally in drone integration projects: smart and safe routing, detect- and-avoid systems, and traffic management to coordinate air traffic.
Professor Low Kin Huat, an expert in robotics and UAVs from the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, and ATMRI Senior Research Fellow, Mr Mohamed Faisal Bin Mohamed Salleh are heading the project.
“At NTU, we have already demonstrated viable technologies such as UAV convoys, formation flying and logistics, which will soon become mainstream,” explained Prof Low. “This new traffic management project will test some of the new concepts developed with the aim of achieving safe and efficient drone traffic in our urban airways.”
“The implications of the project will have far reaching consequences, as we are developing ways for seamless travel of unmanned aircrafts for different purposes without compromising safety, which is of paramount importance.”
One possible solution suggested is a system of coordinating drone stations, which could track all of the drones in the air, monitoring their speeds and scheduling the traffic flow. The team will use computer simulations to test the system during this first phase.
“We will also look into proposing safety standards, for instance how high UAVs should fly and how far they should be flying above buildings, taking privacy concerns and laws into consideration, and to suggest recommended actions during contingencies,” said Mr Faisal, who is also Deputy Director at ATMRI.
Researchers may try to utilize existing open fields for take-off and landing, and direct drone traffic over large buildings which could serve as emergency landing sites. The team plans to use existing technologies such as geofencing to avoid traffic in restricted areas, and collision avoidance sensors to reduce the risk of mid-air incidents with other drones.
A video explaining the system can be viewed here as part of the original press release.
Read more at:
PowerUp FPV – Paper Airplane Drone Available for Pre-order
By MALEK MURISON
DECEMBER 29, 2016
You might remember that towards the end of 2015, startup PowerUp successfully completed a huge crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the PowerUp FPV. The idea was simple: take the classic paper airplane and bring it into the 21st century, combining nostalgia with FPV flight.
Understandably the idea took off. It’s the perfect combination of childhood memories and modern technology. With 54 days remaining of the campaign in November 2015, the company raised $220,401, more than doubling its $100,000 funding target with 1,100 backers. Now the team is ready to launch its new product, which will be showcased at CES 2017 next week before being dispatched to customers in February.
As part of the reinvention of an old classic, PowerUp has traded paper for carbon fiber. The PowerUp FPV also has a built-in camera that streams directly to your smartphone. The FPV system is powered by Parrot’s streaming technology.
“PowerUp FPV lets you experience flight as if you were sitting in the cockpit of your very own handmade paper airplane,” said CEO and Founder Shai Goitein. “Wearing your smartphone with a head mounted display, you see what your plane sees, controlling your paper drone with the intuitive movements of your head.”
“FPV’s iconic paper airplane design is nostalgic, with a high tech twist,” continued Goitein. “We wanted to inspire people, young and old, to use technology to find joy in simple things. You can even get creative and create your own wing designs.
- The PowerUp FPV comes with a range of features, including:
- GamePad and first person view control modes (Google Cardboard VR viewer included) –
- 10 minutes flight per charge
- Travels up to 20mph –
- Over 300 ft WiFi streaming range
- Autopilot stabilization for easy flying especially in windy conditions
- Video and audio recording and streaming
- Easy media download
- Wide angle rotating camera providing front, side and rear camera view – Extremely durable carbon fiber polypropylene frame
- Automatic takeoff and crash detection
- Endless airplane design possibilities
- Airplane gross weight: 2.8 oz/80 grams
- Does not require FAA registration
- Compatible with iOS and Android
For $199, the PowerUp FPV package includes a Google cardboard FPV viewer, a Micro USB cable for charging, 2 Spare propellers, 8 premium printed templates sheets for easy flying, a battery, a spare rubber bumper, a Micro fiber lens cleaning swab and a smartphone protection velcro strap.
The PowerUp FPV is available for pre-order now on the company’s website, Amazon and Target for $199.99. Shipping is expected in February 2017.
PowerUp’s FPV drone has been nominated as a CES 2017 Best of Innovation Awards Honoree for Drones and Unmanned
Systems. We can’t wait to get our hands on one!
Read more at:
Are You Ready For Your FAA UAS Site Visit?
suasnews.com
By Press
28 December 2016
Dr Joseph Davis, Captain, USMC (RET), Remote Pilot and Partner for Davion LLC
Visit? What visits and when? Part 107.7 discusses the inspection, testing, and demonstration of compliance with FAA regulations with regard to UAS. When are they coming? Good question! Now is the time to get ready—but if you are doing what is required of Part 107, and other FAA regulations, you may be ready. These FAA UAS site visits are not just for commercial 333/107 operators but also include:
- Public Aircraft Operations. Public aircraft operations are operated under the operational control of a public entity (city police, fire department, state type FEMA, etc.).
- Civil Aircraft Operations. Civil aircraft operations include model aircraft, part 107, Section 333 exemptions, and certified UAS.
- Model – Recreational Only. Model – recreational only includes education at an accredited institution.
- Part 107. Part 107 operations are the furtherance of a business, nonprofit, or commercial within the limitations of part 107.
- Section 333 Exemptions. Section 333 exemptions are the furtherance of a business, nonprofit, or commercial within the limitations of the exemption.
Of course, you have heard it said the “the devil is in the details” and this can probably be said for a site visit by the FAA for your commercial drone operations. One cannot just read the Part 107 to ensure they are ready for a site visit, just as you can’t study the Part 107 and expect to pass your remote pilot certification. Prior to Part 107 implementation commercial drone operations were conducted under Section 333 exemptions (and now can be an either/or) as long as you have the appropriate license (remote pilot license or private pilot license).
If you conducted commercial drone operations under a Section 333 exemption you had a plethora of paperwork, registrations for your sUAS, a 333 exemption number, a letter from the FAA concerning your 333 exemption with waiver for airworthiness certification, possibly a blanket Certificate of Authorization (COA), checklists for your hardware and equipment and mission planning as well as specifications of your drone. You would have a safety operation procedures and maintenance manual, a flight operations and training manual, flight logs for pilots, flight logs for drones, maintenance logs on those drones, maintenance records for drones and batteries, etc. These were manuals and paperwork you submitted to the FAA to get your 333 exemption approved. See where this is headed?
As a commercial 333 exempt operator, these are items (and much more), that you would already have (or should have) and will be needed to show to the aviation safety inspector (ASI). (You are keeping your books/logs/manuals up to date—right?) As a Part 107 operator, these are items, (and much more), that the FAA will be looking for. Then there is also a saying, “The proof is in the pudding!” But actually that is not true—you see the proof is actually in the eating of the pudding. I hope you pudding tastes great, and it can if you will start today by preparing for your FAA site visit. The FAA calls their inspections “UAS surveillance”, and their general objective is to gather information about whether the UAS and crew are sufficiently ready for the UAS flight, as well as check the effectiveness of the operator’s system, are conducting safe operation practices, and qualifications. What will the FAA be looking for? They will:
Evaluate each crewmember in the performance of their duties and responsibilities (have you been logging your training and missions, has your visual observer(s) (VO) been trained and briefed, and are you, or your remote pilot, ready to demonstrate your flying abilities?);
Assess the effectiveness of the operator’s training (they will look at your paperwork);
Assess the effectiveness, operational procedures, manual, or checklists (ditto on the paperwork look);
Assess the effectiveness of the operator’s equipment (is it in good working order, any frayed wires, cracks in body, landing gear or struts, props, latest firmware/software updates, etc.);
If applicable, to evaluate adherence to the conditions and limitations contained in the grant of the 333 exemption or any Part 107 waivers you may have applied for (and have copy(s) of approval);
To evaluate adherence to the requirements in the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) issued Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (CoW/A), if applicable; and
To evaluate the quality of maintenance and the degree of compliance with FAA policies and regulations (covers a wide area of not only Part 107 but also numerous other FAA orders and directives).
Will it be at my business you are probably thinking? Possibly, but may be at the job site on your next flight. The FAA is not required to coordinate their site visit but more than likely they will do so as they do not want to interfere with or delay your UAS operations. The ASI will let you know of the documents/records they will review during the visit (always good to keep all of your documents in a 3-ring binder (or several). The remote pilot in command (PIC), or an appropriate representative, should be present during the ASI’s visit. The FAA’s primary objective of the site visit is to provide their inspectors with the opportunity to evaluate your operation and how your crewmembers are operating a UAS. The FAA visit is their effective method for evaluating the operator’s ability to prepare both the UAS and crew for a mission.
The FAA visits will also determine whether the UAS and crew are adequately prepared for a flight, as well as evaluating the post-flight and/or turnaround procedures and crewmember(s) compliance with established procedures, regulations, and safe operating practices. So make sure your safety standards are up to date, your people are trained and briefed, and don’t forget your safety briefs and risk mitigation as your get ready. Did you do a pre-assessment of the flight area? Did you check the weather brief? If you aren’t using this service you should be, go to www.1800wxbrief.com to get your brief. Did you look at the sectional charts, check for any TFR’s? Do you have the frequencies and telephone numbers for the nearest airport? Did you contact the local police department/sheriff’s department as a courtesy? Do you need to contact adjacent land and/or homeowners of your flights? Are you doing any drone video/filming shoots? If you are a 333 exempt company did you get approval to do video work? If so have you followed the procedures addressed in your Motion Picture and Television Operations Manual (MPTOM) or your “Operations Manual” that may specify certain requirements? Has your VO been trained concerning air traffic and radio communications, and appropriate sections of the Airman’s Information Manual (AIM) per the conditions and limitations found in the 333 exemption, part 107 CoW, airspace authorization, etc? Are you performing your preflight risk assessment?
Have you had an accident (even a hard landing that busted something)? If a drone/UAS pilot is honest, most, if not all drone/UAS pilots have suffered some type of mishap, flyaway, system failure, tip over, lost link, or user error and account for a fast majority of insurance claims. Did you file a report with the FAA, NTSB, or NASA as appropriate? Even “flyaway” may be considered a flight control malfunction requiring immediate NTSB notification. Depending on the type of accident it may be a mandatory report! Remember, the ASI is not looking to hammer you. These are professionals that are there to help you, train/educate you as needed, audit/report AND establish a collaborative working relationship with you—the UAS operator. If you don’t know an answer tell them you don’t know or are not sure. That is okay, as they will certainly help you through this UAS surveillance audit and you can definitely use it as a learning experience. The FAA is not an entity to be feared but to let them come along beside you as a father-son teaching/learning experience. The ASI wants to set the stage for your continuous development in your flight operations as well as working towards a positive environment that fosters event reporting without fear of reprisal.
What kind of grade do I get? The ASI will debrief you and fully document his/her visit and the results will also be filed in the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) as well as the National Program Tracking and Reporting System (PTRS). The results will either be satisfactory, informational, or an unsatisfactory. Satisfactory means you meet FAA standards, informational means you need to do some work to bring your operation up to FAA standards. Unsatisfactory may result in your pilot’s license being temporarily suspended and your commercial business halted until another site visit can be made after you have had the opportunity to overcome the deficiencies.
Now is the time to start getting prepared for the site visit? Remember – drone accidents aren’t normally caused by unsafe drones, they are caused by unsafe pilots! Happy droning and KEEP IT SAFE!
http://www.equalcertified.com/
Read more at:
https://www.suasnews.com/2016/12/ready-faa-uas-site-visit/
Aeroworks Productions, LLC. releases their 2nd edition Commercial UAS Logbook
suasnews.com
By Press
30 December 2016
Kenosha, WI — In response to the recent FAA regulations for preflight inspections and recordkeeping, Aeroworks has released a professionally designed and printed Commercial UAS Logbook. The Logbook includes a detailed flight checklist, 100 flight specific logbook pages, maintenance log and camera focus card. The book features a heavy-duty spiral binding that opens completely for ease-of-use.
This Commercial UAS Logbook was designed by professional UAS operators for professional UAS operators. The project grew out of a frustration by their own flight crew. They felt that the current printed offerings did not meet the needs of real in-field flights and the online log options with reoccurring monthly expense couldn’t be justified. Each aspect of the Aeroworks Logbook was designed to provide detailed guidelines for both beginner and experienced UAS pilot.
“As a licensed pilot, I understand the importance of a detailed checklist and accurate logs to meet FAA requirements. More importantly, though, accurate logs help maintain safety and enhances the UAS profession.” Stated Adam Andrews, Director of Operations for Aeroworks.
The Commercial UAS Logbook is available for purchase online at www.UAVChecklist.com. The MSRP is $26.95.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Nearly 23,000 Drone Pilots Certified So Far in 2016
dronelife.comBY JASON REAGAN
DECEMBER 21, 2016
DECEMBER 21, 2016
Drones keep flying higher in 2016.
One year after implementation, more than 616,000 owners and individual drones have been registered using the FAA’s web-based drone registration system.
“That means more than 600,000 drone operators now have the basic aviation knowledge to keep themselves and their friends and neighbors safe when they fly,” an FAA press release stated.
Commercial, public and other non-model aircraft operators were stuck using paper-based registration system until March 31 when the federal agency expanded the system to non-hobbyists. The federal agency opened the online system on Dec. 21 after creating a rule requiring owners of UAVs weighing more than .55 pounds to register their drones.
In addition, commercial and hobbyists drone registrations have more than tripled since January.
According to FAA stats, nearly 23,000 commercial drone pilots had been certified by Dec. 5. During the first meeting of the Drone Advisory Committee in September, Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA’s UAS Integration Office, said that around 2,000 drone registrations were flowing in daily.
The agency predicts more than 1.3 million drone pilots will be licensed by 2020. The process of drone certification took off with the unveiling of Part 107 rules which allow drone users – hobbyists and commercial pilots – to operate small, unmanned aircraft below 400 feet at a maximum speed of 100 mph during daylight hours.
Within the first two weeks, more than 5,000 drone users completed the required FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test with hundreds of businesses lining up for launch. Drone users may apply for specific waivers to Part 107 and several companies have done so in order to open new market applications.
However, the FAA has taken its share of criticism after the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General released a scathing report regarding the FAA’s oversight of commercial drones this past month.
As reported previously in DRONELIFE, the DOT report blasted the FAA’s streamlined “process of granting commercial licensing for drone operators too quickly. The report added the process resulted in “slipshod procedures that did not track operators effectively or even ensure that operators understood the requirements clearly.”
Read more at:
http://dronelife.com/2016/12/21/nearly-23000-drone-pilots-certified-so-far-in-2016/
One year after implementation, more than 616,000 owners and individual drones have been registered using the FAA’s web-based drone registration system.
“That means more than 600,000 drone operators now have the basic aviation knowledge to keep themselves and their friends and neighbors safe when they fly,” an FAA press release stated.
Commercial, public and other non-model aircraft operators were stuck using paper-based registration system until March 31 when the federal agency expanded the system to non-hobbyists. The federal agency opened the online system on Dec. 21 after creating a rule requiring owners of UAVs weighing more than .55 pounds to register their drones.
In addition, commercial and hobbyists drone registrations have more than tripled since January.
According to FAA stats, nearly 23,000 commercial drone pilots had been certified by Dec. 5. During the first meeting of the Drone Advisory Committee in September, Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA’s UAS Integration Office, said that around 2,000 drone registrations were flowing in daily.
The agency predicts more than 1.3 million drone pilots will be licensed by 2020. The process of drone certification took off with the unveiling of Part 107 rules which allow drone users – hobbyists and commercial pilots – to operate small, unmanned aircraft below 400 feet at a maximum speed of 100 mph during daylight hours.
Within the first two weeks, more than 5,000 drone users completed the required FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test with hundreds of businesses lining up for launch. Drone users may apply for specific waivers to Part 107 and several companies have done so in order to open new market applications.
However, the FAA has taken its share of criticism after the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General released a scathing report regarding the FAA’s oversight of commercial drones this past month.
As reported previously in DRONELIFE, the DOT report blasted the FAA’s streamlined “process of granting commercial licensing for drone operators too quickly. The report added the process resulted in “slipshod procedures that did not track operators effectively or even ensure that operators understood the requirements clearly.”
Read more at:
http://dronelife.com/2016/12/21/nearly-23000-drone-pilots-certified-so-far-in-2016/
First Anniversary of Drone Registration: Are These Numbers Impressive?
dronelife,comBY MIRIAM MCNABB
DECEMBER 21, 2016
Today marks the first anniversary of the FAA’s drone registration program, and the FAA is calling the program an “unqualified success.” But are these numbers really as impressive as they sound?
The FAA introduced drone registration for drones weighing more than .55 pounds a year ago, following a collaborative process that delivered recommendations on a registration program with unprecedented speed for the government agency. Since then, critics have claimed that the agency acted unlawfully in introducing the rules without the usual period for comments, and the FAA has faced lawsuits from consumers and organizations who feel that they overstepped their bounds.
For the most part, however, drone registration has been largely accepted. The system works well and easily; costing only $5 and taking only a few minutes to complete. New drones from major manufacturers come with information about drone registration and other basic safety guidelines in the box.
It’s the delivery of the safety rules that the FAA says is the point of the program. “The rule and the registration system were primarily aimed at the thousands of drone hobbyists who had little or no experience with the U.S. aviation system,” says an FAA statement. “The agency saw registration as an excellent way to give them a sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions. The agency wanted them to feel they are part of the aviation community, to see themselves as pilots.”
The FAA points out that the system can also be used to notify drone operators of new safety information, through the email address required at registration. While some benefits to the agency – and to responsible drone operators – are clear, it’s less clear that most drone owners are using the program. Many seem unaware of its existence.
The FAA applauds the fact that over 600,000 drone operators have registered: “During the last year, the system has registered more than 616,000 owners and individual drones,” says the agency. “As part of the process, applicants receive and must acknowledge some basic safety information. That means more than 600,000 drone operators now have the basic aviation knowledge to keep themselves and their friends and neighbors safe when they fly.” But while nobody knows exactly how many drones Americans own, industry analysts estimate that over a million drones were sold last holiday season alone, and during the 12 months since the sales of drones has almost tripled. With the new drones expected to appear as gifts this season, the number of registrations will have to increase dramatically before the FAA can be sure that all – or even most – drone operators are accounted for.
The FAA introduced drone registration for drones weighing more than .55 pounds a year ago, following a collaborative process that delivered recommendations on a registration program with unprecedented speed for the government agency. Since then, critics have claimed that the agency acted unlawfully in introducing the rules without the usual period for comments, and the FAA has faced lawsuits from consumers and organizations who feel that they overstepped their bounds.
For the most part, however, drone registration has been largely accepted. The system works well and easily; costing only $5 and taking only a few minutes to complete. New drones from major manufacturers come with information about drone registration and other basic safety guidelines in the box.
It’s the delivery of the safety rules that the FAA says is the point of the program. “The rule and the registration system were primarily aimed at the thousands of drone hobbyists who had little or no experience with the U.S. aviation system,” says an FAA statement. “The agency saw registration as an excellent way to give them a sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions. The agency wanted them to feel they are part of the aviation community, to see themselves as pilots.”
The FAA points out that the system can also be used to notify drone operators of new safety information, through the email address required at registration. While some benefits to the agency – and to responsible drone operators – are clear, it’s less clear that most drone owners are using the program. Many seem unaware of its existence.
The FAA applauds the fact that over 600,000 drone operators have registered: “During the last year, the system has registered more than 616,000 owners and individual drones,” says the agency. “As part of the process, applicants receive and must acknowledge some basic safety information. That means more than 600,000 drone operators now have the basic aviation knowledge to keep themselves and their friends and neighbors safe when they fly.” But while nobody knows exactly how many drones Americans own, industry analysts estimate that over a million drones were sold last holiday season alone, and during the 12 months since the sales of drones has almost tripled. With the new drones expected to appear as gifts this season, the number of registrations will have to increase dramatically before the FAA can be sure that all – or even most – drone operators are accounted for.
Algorithm to Mobilize UAS into Team Missions
uasvision.com
December 21, 2016
The new technology allows a team of UAVs to fly autonomously to complete complex coordinated missions.
“Someone on the ground sets an area to be scanned by the UAVs. Within the area, the person selects different priority points for information-gathering. The algorithm then sets what coordinates are surveyed by which UAVs, and determines a plan for them so that it also covers as much of the area as possible without depleting the battery life,” said Marjorie Darrah, whose project is funded by the Army Research Laboratory.
“The technology is not bypassing the ground station, not taking over the flight plan. It is just giving the ground station help to complete a complex mission with three planes at once.”
The new genetic algorithm is designed for the Raven, a UAV used by United States military and Special Operations Command as well as military operations in Austria, Estonia, Italy, Denmark, Spain and the Czech Republic.
More than 19,000 Ravens are in service, making them one of the most widely adopted UAV systems in the world. However, they can only be purchased in packages of three. Because they are generally flown individually, this research is an opportunity to use the technology more efficiently.
“(Ravens) are never really used in the capacity of what’s at their disposal,” Darrah said. “What we’ve developed can encourage the military to use a piece of add-on software that works along with the ground station.”
Military operations typically use UAVs for wide area searches and surveillance, enemy air defense and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as securing a military base or a specific area.
Civilian operations can also utilize UAVs in teams with the genetic algorithm. The team-approach is useful for monitoring biological threats to agriculture, detecting fires, conducting transportation surveillance and managing natural disasters.
Marcela Mera Trujillo, a mathematics graduate student in Darrah’s lab, is working to use a similar genetic algorithm approach to employ various mapping techniques in another civilian application. She is creating highly detailed, high resolution 3-D maps using multirotors that fly over structures and capture images from many different angles.
“This is an idea (Trujillo) is working on with 4-D Tech Solutions, a small business in Morgantown,” Darrah said. “It is a good model for the University to work with government labs and small business. Through a summer internship, Trujillo has helped develop a provisional patent for the 3-D mapping algorithm.”
Darrah’s research team was featured on the cover of the fall 2016 edition of DSIAC Journal, the Defense Systems Information Analysis Center’s quarterly magazine that introduces new technology to all branches of the military within the Department of Defense.
“15 years ago, this (technology) was an idea. Now it’s a reality,” Darrah said. “Now that we are seeing how the Raven is being used in many countries around the world — it’s versatile, hand-launched, robust — we can encourage people to use the technology in new ways.”
Photo: Marjorie Darrah, professor of mathematics at West Virginia University - Image courtesy of West Virginia University – Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Source: ScienceDaily
A West Virginia University mathematics researcher has developed an algorithm to mobilize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in team missions.
The new technology allows a team of UAVs to fly autonomously to complete complex coordinated missions.
“Someone on the ground sets an area to be scanned by the UAVs. Within the area, the person selects different priority points for information-gathering. The algorithm then sets what coordinates are surveyed by which UAVs, and determines a plan for them so that it also covers as much of the area as possible without depleting the battery life,” said Marjorie Darrah, whose project is funded by the Army Research Laboratory.
“The technology is not bypassing the ground station, not taking over the flight plan. It is just giving the ground station help to complete a complex mission with three planes at once.”
The new genetic algorithm is designed for the Raven, a UAV used by United States military and Special Operations Command as well as military operations in Austria, Estonia, Italy, Denmark, Spain and the Czech Republic.
More than 19,000 Ravens are in service, making them one of the most widely adopted UAV systems in the world. However, they can only be purchased in packages of three. Because they are generally flown individually, this research is an opportunity to use the technology more efficiently.
“(Ravens) are never really used in the capacity of what’s at their disposal,” Darrah said. “What we’ve developed can encourage the military to use a piece of add-on software that works along with the ground station.”
Military operations typically use UAVs for wide area searches and surveillance, enemy air defense and conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as securing a military base or a specific area.
Civilian operations can also utilize UAVs in teams with the genetic algorithm. The team-approach is useful for monitoring biological threats to agriculture, detecting fires, conducting transportation surveillance and managing natural disasters.
Marcela Mera Trujillo, a mathematics graduate student in Darrah’s lab, is working to use a similar genetic algorithm approach to employ various mapping techniques in another civilian application. She is creating highly detailed, high resolution 3-D maps using multirotors that fly over structures and capture images from many different angles.
“This is an idea (Trujillo) is working on with 4-D Tech Solutions, a small business in Morgantown,” Darrah said. “It is a good model for the University to work with government labs and small business. Through a summer internship, Trujillo has helped develop a provisional patent for the 3-D mapping algorithm.”
Darrah’s research team was featured on the cover of the fall 2016 edition of DSIAC Journal, the Defense Systems Information Analysis Center’s quarterly magazine that introduces new technology to all branches of the military within the Department of Defense.
“15 years ago, this (technology) was an idea. Now it’s a reality,” Darrah said. “Now that we are seeing how the Raven is being used in many countries around the world — it’s versatile, hand-launched, robust — we can encourage people to use the technology in new ways.”
Photo: Marjorie Darrah, professor of mathematics at West Virginia University - Image courtesy of West Virginia University – Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Source: ScienceDaily
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/21/algorithm-to-mobilize-uas-into-team-missions/#more-47421
NRL’s First Flight with Custom Hydrogen Fuel Cell
uasvision.com
December 21, 2016
The NRL team designed and built a custom fuel cell system capable of up to 5,000 watts, using formed metal-foil bipolar plates, which saved space and weight. Ion Tiger flew with the new cell in September.
“The decision to move to metal bipolar plates allowed us to leverage a lot of know how from the automotive industry’s large investment in hydrogen fuel cells” said Dr. Benjamin Gould, NRL’s chief scientist on the project. “Using the plates also enabled enhanced storage capabilities and weight savings that are critical for naval unmanned system applications.”
The bipolar plates, held together with titanium straps, serve as the structural backbone of the fuel cell system, providing fluidic pathways for air, hydrogen, and coolant along with electronic pathways for conduction between the individual cells.
NRL also contributed a custom microcontroller and lightweight air compressor. Gas and coolant flow fields were designed and validated with NRL’s own computational fluid design suite.
“NRL having the know how to build their own fuel cells in house gives ONR and the U.S. Navy the understanding and tools needed for transitioning fuel cells to the fleet,” said Michele Anderson, program manager at the Office of Naval Research.
Creating components at NRL allows for low-cost modular systems for both prototype development of naval unmanned vehicles and scalability to a range of sizes.
Photo: Members of the chemistry and tactical electronic warfare divisions from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory with the Ion Tiger unmanned air vehicle
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory provides the advanced scientific capabilities required to bolster our country’s position of global naval leadership. The Laboratory, with a total complement of approximately 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL has served the Navy and the nation for over 90 years and continues to advance research further than you can imagine.
Source: Press Release
Researchers from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s chemistry and tactical electronic warfare divisions completed the first flight of the Ion Tiger unmanned air vehicle with a new hydrogen-powered fuel cell built in-house.
The NRL team designed and built a custom fuel cell system capable of up to 5,000 watts, using formed metal-foil bipolar plates, which saved space and weight. Ion Tiger flew with the new cell in September.
“The decision to move to metal bipolar plates allowed us to leverage a lot of know how from the automotive industry’s large investment in hydrogen fuel cells” said Dr. Benjamin Gould, NRL’s chief scientist on the project. “Using the plates also enabled enhanced storage capabilities and weight savings that are critical for naval unmanned system applications.”
The bipolar plates, held together with titanium straps, serve as the structural backbone of the fuel cell system, providing fluidic pathways for air, hydrogen, and coolant along with electronic pathways for conduction between the individual cells.
NRL also contributed a custom microcontroller and lightweight air compressor. Gas and coolant flow fields were designed and validated with NRL’s own computational fluid design suite.
“NRL having the know how to build their own fuel cells in house gives ONR and the U.S. Navy the understanding and tools needed for transitioning fuel cells to the fleet,” said Michele Anderson, program manager at the Office of Naval Research.
Creating components at NRL allows for low-cost modular systems for both prototype development of naval unmanned vehicles and scalability to a range of sizes.
Photo: Members of the chemistry and tactical electronic warfare divisions from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory with the Ion Tiger unmanned air vehicle
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory provides the advanced scientific capabilities required to bolster our country’s position of global naval leadership. The Laboratory, with a total complement of approximately 2,500 personnel, is located in southwest Washington, D.C., with other major sites at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., and Monterey, Calif. NRL has served the Navy and the nation for over 90 years and continues to advance research further than you can imagine.
Source: Press Release
Read more at:
AirMap Launches Christmas Eve Tracker for Santa’s New Delivery Drone
uasvision.com
December 21, 2016
On December 24th-25th, AirMap will be tracking Santa’s first-ever Christmas Eve drone deliveries at a dedicated website.
This holiday season, Santa is launching his new delivery drone, powered by AirMap’s airspace data and services platform. He’s packed the SleighMaster3000 with presents, and beginning on Dec 24th at 12:00 PM GMT/4:00 AM PT, he’ll be filing his flight plan and sharing his public flight on the AirMap web app.
Visit santa.airmap.com to view the countdown and get a sneak peek at Santa’s new drone. And on Christmas Eve, follow Santa’s drone as it delivers presents to homes around the world at app.airmap.com.
Santa uses the AirMap platform to learn more about where it is safe to fly – and where he needs special authorization to fly at night. If there’s a drone under your Christmas tree this year, be sure to check the rules on AirMap as part of your preflight before you fly, and always operate your drone responsibly.
Source: Press Release
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/21/airmap-launches-christmas-eve-tracker-for-santas-new-delivery-drone/
On December 24th-25th, AirMap will be tracking Santa’s first-ever Christmas Eve drone deliveries at a dedicated website.
This holiday season, Santa is launching his new delivery drone, powered by AirMap’s airspace data and services platform. He’s packed the SleighMaster3000 with presents, and beginning on Dec 24th at 12:00 PM GMT/4:00 AM PT, he’ll be filing his flight plan and sharing his public flight on the AirMap web app.
Visit santa.airmap.com to view the countdown and get a sneak peek at Santa’s new drone. And on Christmas Eve, follow Santa’s drone as it delivers presents to homes around the world at app.airmap.com.
Santa uses the AirMap platform to learn more about where it is safe to fly – and where he needs special authorization to fly at night. If there’s a drone under your Christmas tree this year, be sure to check the rules on AirMap as part of your preflight before you fly, and always operate your drone responsibly.
Source: Press Release
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/21/airmap-launches-christmas-eve-tracker-for-santas-new-delivery-drone/
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
You Crashed Your Drone. Now What?
popularmechanics.com
At the EHang facilities in Redwood City, California, six full-time technicians repair about a dozen drones per week.
Ryan Young
Even if the damage looks minor, pay for an authorized shop. The crash may have knocked circuit boards loose, affecting much more than you see. Call the manufacturer or check its website to see if there's an authorized repair center anywhere near you. There are about a dozen scattered throughout the country. Only two do sanctioned DJI drone repairs. The rest work with Yuneec and other brands. The biggest benefit here will be turnaround time, which, compared to the huge queue you'll face when sending a drone back to the manufacturer (see Option 2), will take around two weeks instead of six or more. You're also more likely to deal with an invested human being.
Ryan Young
Some manufacturers have made the return process easier, providing an alternative to DJI's notoriously difficult customer service. EHang will repair a new Ghostdrone 2.0 VR up to three times within a year of purchase, and they claim that they'll do it with only a ten- to 14-day turnaround. Autel Robotics has live customer service on call seven days a week and two-week returns. Another option is to buy something like GoPro's two-year Care coverage ($149), which allows you to get your $800 Karma not just repaired but replaced for $199 with about a two-week wait. Even DJI came out with DJI Care ($219 for the Phantom 4), which will pay for repairs up to the value of the drone. Whatever drone you get, if the company offers insurance coverage, buy it.
December 21, 2016
You watched your fragile, complicated, expensive flying camera bounce between tree branches like a pachinko machine, then thud against the ground. Or maybe you hit the throttle, then let off on the throttle, only to have the drone refuse to listen and shoot out of sight into the sky. It happens to everyone. Everyone we know, at least. But what no one seemed to know was what do you do about it? We kamikazeed a drone and found out.
OPTION 1: FIND A REPAIR CENTER
A comprehensive guide to getting back in the air.
You watched your fragile, complicated, expensive flying camera bounce between tree branches like a pachinko machine, then thud against the ground. Or maybe you hit the throttle, then let off on the throttle, only to have the drone refuse to listen and shoot out of sight into the sky. It happens to everyone. Everyone we know, at least. But what no one seemed to know was what do you do about it? We kamikazeed a drone and found out.
OPTION 1: FIND A REPAIR CENTER
At the EHang facilities in Redwood City, California, six full-time technicians repair about a dozen drones per week.
Ryan Young
Even if the damage looks minor, pay for an authorized shop. The crash may have knocked circuit boards loose, affecting much more than you see. Call the manufacturer or check its website to see if there's an authorized repair center anywhere near you. There are about a dozen scattered throughout the country. Only two do sanctioned DJI drone repairs. The rest work with Yuneec and other brands. The biggest benefit here will be turnaround time, which, compared to the huge queue you'll face when sending a drone back to the manufacturer (see Option 2), will take around two weeks instead of six or more. You're also more likely to deal with an invested human being.
OPTION 2: SEND IT TO THE MANUFACTURER
Returning drones to the manufacturer can be a horrible experience—multi-month waits, indifferent customer service, warranty disputes—but if you don't have an authorized repair shop nearby, there's no better option. The huge facilities have factory parts and calibration software that ensure a proper repair. If you are among the 5 percent of pilots who crash due to build defects, not pilot error, and you're within the warranty, repairs are free. Just don't expect to convince anyone that the crash wasn't your fault if it really was. Drones have internal black boxes that record exactly what happened before a collision.
Returning drones to the manufacturer can be a horrible experience—multi-month waits, indifferent customer service, warranty disputes—but if you don't have an authorized repair shop nearby, there's no better option. The huge facilities have factory parts and calibration software that ensure a proper repair. If you are among the 5 percent of pilots who crash due to build defects, not pilot error, and you're within the warranty, repairs are free. Just don't expect to convince anyone that the crash wasn't your fault if it really was. Drones have internal black boxes that record exactly what happened before a collision.
Ryan Young
Some manufacturers have made the return process easier, providing an alternative to DJI's notoriously difficult customer service. EHang will repair a new Ghostdrone 2.0 VR up to three times within a year of purchase, and they claim that they'll do it with only a ten- to 14-day turnaround. Autel Robotics has live customer service on call seven days a week and two-week returns. Another option is to buy something like GoPro's two-year Care coverage ($149), which allows you to get your $800 Karma not just repaired but replaced for $199 with about a two-week wait. Even DJI came out with DJI Care ($219 for the Phantom 4), which will pay for repairs up to the value of the drone. Whatever drone you get, if the company offers insurance coverage, buy it.
OPTION 3: DIY
If you clipped a propeller on a branch, or if you cracked the camera component on a simple model, like the Parrot Bebop 2, which has manufacturer instructional videos online, go ahead and replace it. Beyond that, don't try it. "You can replace a motor if you're good at soldering," says Werner von Stein, an engineer and head of the SF Drone School in San Francisco. "But if you had a pretty hard landing, it could be something else. When parts cost $600 or $700, it's better to replace the whole aircraft." If you want to try to repair it anyway, companies like Yuneec and Parrot sell parts directly. DJI doesn't sell as many parts, but you can buy scrap drones on eBay and use those components. And if you mess things up, well, you can get a little money selling your drone for scrap on eBay.
*This article origionally appeared in the December 2016/January 2017 issue of Popular Mechanics.
If you clipped a propeller on a branch, or if you cracked the camera component on a simple model, like the Parrot Bebop 2, which has manufacturer instructional videos online, go ahead and replace it. Beyond that, don't try it. "You can replace a motor if you're good at soldering," says Werner von Stein, an engineer and head of the SF Drone School in San Francisco. "But if you had a pretty hard landing, it could be something else. When parts cost $600 or $700, it's better to replace the whole aircraft." If you want to try to repair it anyway, companies like Yuneec and Parrot sell parts directly. DJI doesn't sell as many parts, but you can buy scrap drones on eBay and use those components. And if you mess things up, well, you can get a little money selling your drone for scrap on eBay.
*This article origionally appeared in the December 2016/January 2017 issue of Popular Mechanics.
Read more at:
Meteomatics bespoke drone weather forecasts
suasnews.com
By Press
December 20, 2016
For any kind of aerial operations exceeding flight heights of a couple of metres, the knowledge of vertical changes in weather conditions can make the difference between success and failure. Especially the factors wind speed, temperature, precipitation and humidity show to be crucial. As estimating these changes by eye or neighbouring measurement platforms turns more and more into a lottery with increasing height,
Meteomatics has developed the Meteomatics UAV Flight Weather (http://flightweather.meteomatics.com). The unique data quality enables precise and global forecasts for heights of up to 2.5km above ground.
For professional users we also provide:
• High altitude weather forecasts up to 20km
• Radar and satellite images
• Route planning and optimisation
Currently, the Meteomatics Flight Weather is already in operational use prior to conducting flights with the Meteomatics Meteodrones. Thereby, the Flight Weather has shown to be a reliable tool in thousands of UAV flights around the globe ranging from alpine areas in wintertime to pre-convective severe storm scenarios in Oklahoma.
About Meteomatics:
Meteomatics is a company based in St. Gallen, Switzerland and offers meteorological products and services for industries such as the energy and trading sectors, which have a demand for extremely accurate weather forecasts. Here Meteomatics has an excellent reputation of market-leading accuracy in temperature, solar power and wind power forecasts. In June 2015 Meteomatics was awarded for the Meteodrone project with the STARTFELD Diamant, a price for the most innovative company of Eastern Switzerland. The development of the Meteodrones is supported by MeteoSwiss, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and the STARTFELD foundation in St. Gallen.
By Press
December 20, 2016
For any kind of aerial operations exceeding flight heights of a couple of metres, the knowledge of vertical changes in weather conditions can make the difference between success and failure. Especially the factors wind speed, temperature, precipitation and humidity show to be crucial. As estimating these changes by eye or neighbouring measurement platforms turns more and more into a lottery with increasing height,
Meteomatics has developed the Meteomatics UAV Flight Weather (http://flightweather.meteomatics.com). The unique data quality enables precise and global forecasts for heights of up to 2.5km above ground.
For professional users we also provide:
• High altitude weather forecasts up to 20km
• Radar and satellite images
• Route planning and optimisation
Currently, the Meteomatics Flight Weather is already in operational use prior to conducting flights with the Meteomatics Meteodrones. Thereby, the Flight Weather has shown to be a reliable tool in thousands of UAV flights around the globe ranging from alpine areas in wintertime to pre-convective severe storm scenarios in Oklahoma.
About Meteomatics:
Meteomatics is a company based in St. Gallen, Switzerland and offers meteorological products and services for industries such as the energy and trading sectors, which have a demand for extremely accurate weather forecasts. Here Meteomatics has an excellent reputation of market-leading accuracy in temperature, solar power and wind power forecasts. In June 2015 Meteomatics was awarded for the Meteodrone project with the STARTFELD Diamant, a price for the most innovative company of Eastern Switzerland. The development of the Meteodrones is supported by MeteoSwiss, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) and the STARTFELD foundation in St. Gallen.
Trump UAS transition team, meet FAA
suasnews.com
December 20, 2016
A little birdy tells us. Well, an aviation attorney and adjunct professor at Vaughn College of Aeronautic Engineering, Aviation, and Technology in Queens, New York, Loretta Alkalay tells us. That the President Elect has a UAS transition team. Comes as a bit of surprise that drones are top of mind. They met with the FAA today.
We don’t know who is on this team and that is a little worrying.
Too Much Wind Caused Facebook’s Aquila Crash
uasvision.com
December 20, 2016
Following an official investigation into the crash landing, America’s National Transportation Safety Board found that wind and turbulence caused part of the wing to snap during flight.
“On June 28, 2016, at 0743 mountain standard time, the Facebook Aquila unmanned aircraft, N565AQ, experienced an in-flight structural failure on final approach near Yuma, Arizona. The aircraft was substantially damaged,” the report explains.
It was the first flight of the full-scale aircraft and the report adds there were no injuries or ground damage. It launched in restricted airspace from Yuma Proving Ground’s (YPG) and “there were no anomalies” during the 90-minute flight.
“According to the operator, at 0704, a simulated landing at 1,250 feet above sea level was performed to test the autoland feature of the autopilot. At the time of the simulated landing, the crew noted that the wind had increased above the intended test limit of 7 knots at flight altitude,” continues the report.
“At 0737, the crew commanded a landing to the designated landing site. During the final approach, the aircraft encountered an increasing amount of turbulence and wind speeds of up to 10 knots at the surface and 12 to 18 knots, as measured by the aircraft at flight altitude.”
Telemetry analysis from the flight then showed the plane had to deviate from its course and as it reached 20 feet above the ground, the right wing “experienced a structural failure with a downward deflection”. The plane then hit the ground at a speed of 25 knots.
The report concludes that the damage was therefore caused as a result of the impact and wing failure.
Source: National Transportation Safety Board
Read more at:
http://www.uasvision.com/2016/12/20/too-much-wind-caused-facebooks-aquila-crash/
NEW TO DRONES? HERE’S A (FREE) INTRODUCTORY COURSE FOR NEW DRONE PILOTS
thedronegirl.com
SALLY FRENCH
DECEMBER 19, 2016
So you want to get into drones? Overwhelmed by everything you need to know?
You’re not alone. There’s a lot to know — what type of drone to buy, how to find out where and when you can fly, the biggest safety concerns, registration, and the rules and regulations for all types of users.
DARTdrones is offering a free online course called Drone Aviator Readiness Training. I definitely recommend you watch it if you’re planning on getting a drone for Christmas, or passing along to your friends who are getting one (since you’re probably a drone pro if you read this blog, right?!)
And, if you decide you want to sign up for one of DARTdrones’ other, full-length courses, use coupon code “drngirl10” to get 10% off your entire purchase!
Happy flying!
Read more at:
http://thedronegirl.com/2016/12/19/course-for-new-drone-pilots-dart-drones/
SALLY FRENCH
DECEMBER 19, 2016
So you want to get into drones? Overwhelmed by everything you need to know?
You’re not alone. There’s a lot to know — what type of drone to buy, how to find out where and when you can fly, the biggest safety concerns, registration, and the rules and regulations for all types of users.
DARTdrones is offering a free online course called Drone Aviator Readiness Training. I definitely recommend you watch it if you’re planning on getting a drone for Christmas, or passing along to your friends who are getting one (since you’re probably a drone pro if you read this blog, right?!)
And, if you decide you want to sign up for one of DARTdrones’ other, full-length courses, use coupon code “drngirl10” to get 10% off your entire purchase!
Happy flying!
Read more at:
http://thedronegirl.com/2016/12/19/course-for-new-drone-pilots-dart-drones/
Thursday, December 15, 2016
20 Ways Drones will Shape your Future
By Droneblog Editor -
December 14, 2016
Drones are all the buzz at the present being quite ubiquitous in many locations. A drone basically refers to a flying robot that is technically referred to as a UAV, unmanned aerial vehicle. It is usually controlled remotely or you could choose to program it to follow certain flight plans. They have simplified the way tasks are handled and you can now undertake tasks which seemed difficult, expensive, quite dangerous, access remote areas and fly at high speed using them.
The drone technology presents a world of endless possibilities as they could be designed to have computer vision, facilitate face and object recognition besides providing an efficient tracking technology. These common robotics pose a possible combination of networking, robotics and artificial intelligence, AI. They are versatile enough to adapt to a given environment and they could trace a given subject through an area.
SOURCEBargain Fox
Read more at:
http://droneblog.com/2016/12/14/20-ways-drones-will-shape-your-future/
Defiant Labs Lauches Next Gen Drone: DX-3
24-hour flight endurance, 1500 km-range, live- data processing & vertical take-off and landing
By Droneblog Editor -
December 14, 2016
1
TORONTO, ON – December 6, 2016: Canada’s drone leaders, The Sky Guys Ltd, announced today their new technology division, Defiant Labs with the unveiling of their drone, the DX-3. Set to disrupt all previous industry standards, the DX-3 has vertical take-off and landing and fixed wing flight capability.
The groundbreaking DX-3 will be officially released at the International UAV Show, hosted by The Sky Guys and Cambridge House International on December 6th and 7th in Toronto. The International UAV show is the first of it’s kind in Canada and will feature leading speakers, and a drone race.
“The DX-3 will fundamentally change the drone industry,” said Adam Sax, CEO and Founder of The Sky Guys, and owner of Defiant Labs, “Until now, drones had limited endurance, range, required runways, line of sight operation, data processing lagged and most drones needed ideal climate conditions to perform or be deployed.”
“This is Canadian technology, it is world-leading technology and we will design, manufacture and produce the DX-3 in Canada. The DX-3 is robust, capable for operation and deployment in challenging conditions like rain, desert or arctic. It’s only fitting that a Canadian company would make a drone that can endure and withstand environmental extremes.”
“In addition to the hardware technology innovations, the DX-3 is leading in data analytics, capable of live data processing,” noted, Sax. “Not only do we have advanced imaging processing for industrial inspections and security applications, the data processing features predictive analytics forecasting. We are excited to have partnered with NVIDIA to build proprietary solutions based on their learning algorithms. Because the basic platform is AI-enabled the patterns and possibilities are endless.”
Flight testing and pre-orders of DX-3 will commence mid-2017.
The newly unveiled DX-3 drone is specially designed to monitor and inspect remote long range infrastructure, be it for oil and gas pipelines, power transmission lines or disaster relief and security.
DX-3 is the only drone to offer the following:
Over 24 hours of endurance with satellite link,
1500 kilometer range of use,
Carries up to 3 kilograms of payload,
Integrated sensors such as a high resolution optical zoom cameras and ifread,
Optional LIDAR for 3D mapping,
Vertical takeoff and landing, with fixed wing flight capability, meaning it can take off and land without a runway while maintaining the efficacy of long range flight, this is ideal for remote locations,
‘Built tough’ to work in all environmental conditions, from rain to desert to arctic.
Read more at:
http://droneblog.com/2016/12/14/defiant-labs-lauches-next-gen-drone-dx-3/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)