At first glance, you are not going to believe what I’m about to share with you. But this is all true, so pay close attention. Historically the FAA has maintained a database of commercial pilots that employers had to upload information about. This was typically so that when pilots moved from one carrier to another … Read more
Here is the latest FAA guidance on Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) and Collision Avoidance for drone pilots flying under Part 107 or a COA. Let’s not forget the actual limited operating distances that are required. Seeing your drone means a lot more than just seeing a dot in the sky. Pay attention to the … Read more
One of my favorite programs to dig through UAS flight logs for DJI aircraft is Flight Reader. A new update is out. Visit FlightReader.com for more information. There is a help forum for additional information as well.
In 2021, Michael jones sued the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCBEES) in an attempt to get them to back off from proceeding with enforcement action for illegal surveying services. Jones apparently felt taking photos and doing aerial maps should not fall under an NC surveying law. You can read the … Read more
Last year I interviewed Professor Oliver Bimber regarding the new technology his team was developing to allow drones to see thru trees. It actually does not make the cameras magical, but it kind of does. To learn more about this technology that can help you find targets obscured by vegetation, see Airborne Optical Sectioning – … Read more
Here are a number of very interesting studies that I’ve received from others regarding the ability of RPICs or low flying manned aircraft pilots ability to see and avoid a UAS. I also had a firefighting pilot send me an email and wanted me to share this message: “Steve, please understand and share that the … Read more
Last night was the FAA Drone Pro webinar. A lot of good information in these slides. Accidents between UAS and manned aircraft are getting more frequent. In fact, there allegedly was a teenager killed yesterday in the UK after being struck by an unmanned RC aircraft. People flying as hobbyists and not FULLY complying with … Read more
For the past few years concerns have been raised about drone pilots not flying within the FAA regulations. Non-compliance from avoiding other aircraft, flying beyond the visual line of sight, flying at night, etc. Drone pilots may have felt put upon by the FAA and other manned aircraft pilots. But let’s add a new twist … Read more
In recent conversations with other drone experts, I’m stunned by the lack of awareness or understanding about drone pilots and the risk of collision with other aircraft because of poor assumptions. Drone pilots don’t own the airspace below 400 feet above ground level. You have no right of way ownership when you are legally flying. … Read more
The software Flight Reader has a new update. If you fly a DJI drone, it is software worth having to be able to decrypt and read the flight data from your aircraft. This is one of the software programs I use to read log data. Using Flight Reader you can view raw data, display a … Read more