There is no doubt that the development and use of small unmanned aerial vehicles and systems (sUAV / UAS, aka drones) is exploding; from taking lofty real-estate pictures and videos, inspecting construction sites, buildings, transmission lines, towers, bridges, and other infrastructures, farm field surveys, search and rescue, emergency response to potential personal transportation and more. … 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
This week I’d like to talk about a prominent issue that impacts all pilots. I’ve observed many pilots of all levels making decisions that contain a classic mistake. Unfortunately, it is one I have made myself in the past and probably will in the future. It is the pilot problem of assumptions and beliefs. The … Read more
Up until November 12, 2021, UAS COA operations were not allowed to conduct training flights. All pilots would have needed to hold a Part 107 pilot certificate or the flight would have been not permitted under the COA. On November 12, 2021, the FAA Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulations issued the following memo to provide … Read more
As an FAA certificated pilot since 1988, I’ve learned one lesson that everyone should accept to be a better aviator; you are never going to know it all, but you have to make an effort to keep learning. I’m regularly trying to educate new drone pilots through my site Public Safety Flight. So it seems as … Read more
The transcript of the session is below but keep in mind I did not go through it to correct little things. The links and documents mentioned in this webinar can be found here. The speakers in this webinar included the folks below. Transcript 00:00:10.557 –> 00:00:15.147 Thank you so much Tim I’m so glad that … Read more
The briefing you need to fly during emergencies when you need a waiver. Applies to both Part 107 and COA pilots. This Special Process for Emergency Operations, is often referred to as the Special Governmental Interest (SGI) process, or eCOA process. The FAA has established an expedited special process for organizations responding to emergencies, who … Read more
The following information was distributed in August 2021 to FAA FAASTeam Drone Pros, like me, to help educate the public. You can view the entire presentation here.
I received an email from a drone manufacturer linked to this video below to look at their new product. This is a perfect example of the type of incorrect assumptions and misinformation I’ve been talking about regarding flight at night. The pilot talks about the drone strobe is needed so you can see your drone … Read more