As divergent as the three keynote speakers who addressed a full house at Xponential 2018 were Tuesday, they shared a common message of optimism for the future of unmanned systems.
From a business point of view, PrecisionHawk Inc., chief executive officer Michael Chasen described how his company’s work in preparation of the newly released Pathfinder Report provides a practical path toward ensuring that manned and unmanned aircraft could share the skies safely.
“There’s been tremendous growth in this industry,” Chasen said, involving everything from large corporations to garage tinkerers.
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
UAS headed to the skies of Vigo County, Indiana
A partnership between the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency and the Vigo County Sheriff's Office in Vigo County, Indiana has resulted in the purchase of three UAS.
The UAS, which are available for use by both agencies, as well as for any public safety agency or government agency, are equipped with a camera and thermal imaging abilities.
The UAS can be used for a variety of operations, including surveying and search and rescue missions.
Rockford Police Department adds UAS to its operations
In an effort to “benefit the community and enhance officer safety,” the Rockford Police Department in Rockford, Illinois will begin using UAS.
Donated by Illinois Drone-One, Inc., the new UAS will be used for a variety of purposes, including speeding up the investigation of serious and fatal vehicle crash scenes.
After serious accidents, roads are usually closed for hours so that photographs and measurements can be taken. By using UAS to capture video and photographs, though, the data can be downloaded into software which will provide “to-scale measurements” in a significantly shorter time frame than traditional investigation methods.
USPTO issues patent for HorseFly Truck Launched Drone Package Delivery System
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent for the HorseFly Truck Launched Drone Package Delivery System, according to American technology company Workhorse Group Inc.
The HorseFly UAS Delivery System, which is a “custom-built, high efficiency” delivery UAS, is fully integrated with the Workhorse line of electric/hybrid delivery trucks, and it meets FAA guidelines for UAS operations in the United States.
NIAS and its NASA UTM partners successfully test UAS at Nevada UAS Test Site at the Reno-Stead Airport
Along with its NASA Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) partners, the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS) recently flew multiple UAS over a week-long testing period at the Nevada UAS Test Site at the Reno-Stead Airport. NIAS manages the Nevada UAS Test Sites.
Testing focused on airspace management technologies that will enable the safe integration of UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS).
During testing, NASA provided a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) research platform. The platform will serve as a future prototype system for the FAA to use to coordinate with Unmanned Service Supplier's (USS) operating throughout the U.S.
Kansas State Polytechnic's adds drone to professional indoor football team
Kansas State Polytechnic's Applied Aviation Research Center is collaborating with the Salina Liberty, a professional indoor football team in Salina, Kansas, to bring drone technology to the team’s home games this season.
Through the collaboration, the research center is using a UAS to perform a 35-foot ball drop to the head referee before opening kickoff. The research center is also using UAS to capture aerial footage of the games to livestream on the team's Facebook page.
The idea behind using a drone to release the game ball to the referee was sparked by one of the challenges in the NFL's Pro Bowl Skills Showdown called drone drop.
Kansas State Polytechnic introduces UAS to the world of professional indoor football
Kansas State Polytechnic's Applied Aviation Research Center is collaborating with the Salina Liberty, a professional indoor football team in Salina, Kansas, to bring UAS technology to the team’s home games this season.
Through the collaboration, the research center is using a UAS to perform a 35-foot ball drop to the head referee before opening kickoff. The research center is also using UAS to capture aerial footage of the games to livestream on the team's Facebook page.
“We see drones as a way to enhance the in-game experience for the fans, giving them a unique view of the action on the field, so we're excited that Kansas State Polytechnic was so receptive to the idea,” says Ricky Bertz, Salina Liberty CEO and co-owner.
Kansas State Polytechnic offering Part 107 prep course in Denver area just ahead of XPONENTIAL 2018
Right before the start of AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL conference, which will be held in Denver, Colorado from April 30 to May 3, Kansas State University's Polytechnic Campus will offer its Part 107 preparation course in the Denver area from April 27 to 29.
Designed to prepare professionals for the FAA’s written exam—which is required for anyone who wants to operate a commercial small UAS, who does not already hold a manned pilot certificate—the course will focus on areas covered in the FAA written exam, including “adherence to FAA rules and regulations pertinent to small unmanned aircraft operations, how to set up sUAS within FAA regulations and the application of safety practices in flight.”
FAA grants Property Drone Consortium permission to fly small UAS at night
The Property Drone Consortium (PDC), which is a collaboration made up of insurance carriers, roofing industry leaders and supporting enterprises, has been granted an FAA waiver that allows it to fly small UAS at night.
The waiver requires adherence to several provisions, including using a visual observer, flying with anti-collision lighting on the platform, and flying in Class G airspace, as well as compliance with all other Part 107 provisions.
Regulatory and Stakeholder Perspectives on the Future of UAS
The number of remote pilots using drones across an array of industries has opened the door for increased efficiency and productivity, but has also ushered in new challenges. Join AUVSI and industry stakeholders for a discussion of the evolving regulatory landscape and what it means for the drone industry.
Frank discussions between regulators and the drone community are important as both groups grapple with the safe integration of our technology into the national airspace. This webinar will provide community members with the opportunity to hear directly from regulators and ask their most pressing questions.
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