UAS Archives - Public Safety Flight

Your Public Safety Drone May Not Be Safe for Flight and Attorneys Might Just Eat You for Lunch

March 10, 2021June 11, 2020 by Steve Rhode

Matrice 210 Homegrown Foxfury Lighting Solution

I’ve launched a website for all pilots to report issues they may have experienced in drone flight. Please submit any reports at ReportDroneAccident.com. This is a very hard post to write. I already know many people are going to skewer me and call me an idiot for sharing what I have found, but that doesn’t … Read more

Why Flying a UAS Under a COA as Public Aircraft Operations May Be the Wrong Choice for Most Agencies and Pilots

November 18, 2021May 21, 2018 by Steve Rhode

This is a tough article for me to write because I know off the bat many people are going to discount what I’m about to share. It’s not because it is wrong but because it flies in the face of assumptions and changing beliefs is difficult. Plus talking at length about UAS, COA, and public … Read more

Drone Strikes Helicopter Over NC June 23, 2022
Only the earliest data is available on this accident. The FAA is reporting Schweizer 269 helicopter was struck by a drone near Booneville, North Carolina on June 23, 2002, at 10:59 AM. The aircraft collided near the intersection of Dobbins Road and Route 601. Here is the street view link.Continue Reading
UK UAS Accident Data Shows Safety Issue Most Pilots Are in Denial About
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch just published their 2021 accident review for UAS incidents. “Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) occurrences accounted for a quarter of the notifications received by the AAIB in 2021 and the increased levels of reporting from this sector is welcomed. The AAIB has been investigating selected UAS accidents since 2015 and ... Read more
DJI Mini 2 Flyaway and Crash Video
I stumbled across this video of a DJI Mini 2 pilot that lost control of his aircraft despite having 20+ satellites, no wind, and full signal. The pilot said, “I went up to 120 meters and then it starts flying sideways. Warning saying Max power load reached. Code 30168.” Lesson Learned: Your drone can operate ... Read more
Fixed-Wing UAS Pilots Need to Read This. Most Flight Outside Regulations.
I was recently asked about a fixed-wing UAS, the FlightWave Edge 130. In taking a look at the UAS, I noticed the following statement on the FlightWave sight, “The Edge 130 VTOL tricopter is a consumer-priced, military-grade UAS designed for long-range, long-endurance missions.” – Source It was the words Long-Range that caught my eye, given ... Read more
Pilots Record Database FAQ for COA Departments Flying Part 107 and Public Aircraft Operations
The subject of the Pilots Record Database and its applicability for both Part 107 and COA pilots has created a thirst for more clarity. These FAQs below are a combination of information distributed by the FAA, and some are from the info I published here. With the liability and complexity of yet another COA admin ... Read more