As we move forward in this current era of drone technology innovation, drone cameras are becoming much more advanced and feature- rich which allows you capture stunning images every time you fly your drone high in the sky. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com The question arises why drone photography when we already have all the high end cameras and equipment on Continue Reading
The post Tips For Drone Photos and Videos appeared first on Photodoto.
 |
DJI has added a new drone model to its portfolio. The DJI Phantom 3 SE is targeted at beginner pilots and offers a flight time of 25 minutes. A key differences to the standard Phantom 3, is that the SE features a vision positioning system that lets the drone hover and fly in a stable manner indoors or in areas without connection to GPS satellites.
The SE model also offers a video transmission range of up to 2.5 miles versus only 0.5 miles on the Phantom 3, and records video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second compared to the standard version’s 2.7K footage.
In still image mode the camera can capture 12MP images, with the lens offering a 94-degree field of view. Other key features include flight speeds of up to 35mph and the capability to return automatically to a recorded home point when the battery levels of the drone or the remote controller get too low.
The DJI Phantom 3 SE is available now for $ 600. More information and detailed specifications are available on the DJI website.
Press Release
DJI has announced the availability of its final model in the iconic Phantom 3 product line with the Phantom 3 SE camera drone.
The Phantom 3 SE features several improvements over its predecessor, the Phantom 3 Standard, including the ability to record 4K ultra high-definition video, and a Vision Positioning System for precise navigation and flight stability. It also has an improved dual-band Wi-Fi remote control with a transmission range of up to 2.5 miles delivering over four times the range of the Phantom 3 Standard.
The Phantom 3 SE is available in select markets worldwide on store.dji.com and through DJI Authorized Dealers including Europe, Korea, Latin America, New Zealand, North America, and Taiwan. The U.S. retail price is $ 599 USD.
For more info and local pricing, please visit store.dji.com.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
 |
Miggo, the smartphone and photography accessory makers who brought us the Pictar iPhone camera grip among other innovative products, have returned to crowdfund the launch of a new Agua line of waterproof bags designed for DSLRs as well as the DJI Mavic and Spark drones.
There are three models in the series, which are all made from a matte-finish tarpaulin material and offer the IPX3 environmental protection standard.
The Agua Versa backpack is designed for carrying photographic gear but can easily be converted into a backpack for daily use by removing the “doc-bag” camera insert. The Versa can be carried as a backpack, sling bag or x-position style and comes with external charging system for mobile devices.
The main compartment comes with laptop and tablet pocket, and there are several smaller pockets as well. Three water-proof outer pockets can hold a large variety of smaller items, and the rigid bottom offers impact protection when setting the bag down. The bag can hold a Canon 5D-sized full-frame DSLR and two F2.8 lenses, including a 70-200 F2.8 and a flash.
 |
 |
| The Versa’s strap system can be adjusted for sling-style use. | Inside your gear is protected from the elements. |
The Agua Drone Lander is made from the same waterproof material as the Versa, but it was made to function as a carrier for the DJI Mavic or Spark drones. The latter and accessories are are protected by a padded three-layer insert, and an integrated landing mat doubles as a work surface. The Drone Lander is carried in the sling position, and an additional diagonal strap offers better stability for long-distance carrying.
The third model in the line, the Agua Sling, combines a compact design with storage capacity for a 5D-sized DSLR and three lenses, including a 70-200 F2.8 and a flash gun. A padded strap allows for sling-style carrying and gear is accessed through a side-opening. Like the Versa, the Agua Sling comes with a water-proof front pocket for personal items and an external charging port for mobile devices. The main compartment offers a laptop pocket.
 |
 |
| The Drone Lander comes with a landing mat. | Padded inserts protect your drone and accessories. |
We’ve had a chance to use the Agua Versa backpack for a couple of weeks, and our first impression is indeed very positive. The backpack is well-made, and the strap system is comfortable to wear and allows for a lot of adjustment.
There are plenty of external and internal pockets to help you organize all sorts of small things, such as batteries, memory cards and other accessories. My 14″ Acer just fits into the internal laptop sleeve and the camera insert holds a DSLR and a couple of lenses no problem. When the insert is removed, the bag also works well as a rugged day pack, with more than enough space for a change of clothes for when you bike to work.
You should be aware that access to your gear is only available from openings in the sides, but once you’re used to that, getting your stuff in and out of the bag is easy and quick. You can now pre-order the Agua bags on Indiegogo from $ 100 for each model with the early bird special, which sounds like an interesting deal if you are in need of a waterproof bag for your imaging gear.
Press Release
Jerusalem, July 2017 – One year after the launch of Pictar – the revolutionary iPhone camera grip, miggo returns to Kickstarter for the fourth time with Agua – a brand new collection of three storm-proof bags designed for DSLR cameras and the super-popular Mavic and Spark drones. Every new offer by miggo is a sensation, with its fun and exciting products for photography enthusiasts.
“Kickstarter is the place where we bring products to life”, says Guy Sprukt, Marketing Manager and one of miggo’s founders. “This is where we introduced our first agua camera bag two years ago, and this year we are proud to present not one but three new agua bags! The entire new line is IPX3 standard storm-proof and the bags offer an exceptional combination of protection from the elements and quick-draw ability. We had a long development stage, and we’re proud of the results and we believe that the new agua bags offer a completely different approach to carrying photographic gear and drones.”
The agua series consists of 3 bags – all of which are IPX3-standard storm-proof and carefully designed from durable tarpaulin with a impressive matt finish – unique to the entire miggo agua collection.
A versatile backpack for carrying professional photographic gear, as well as for daily use. The bag lets users enjoy a handy and carefully designed everyday bag, while the photographic gear is safely stored in a “doc-bag” insert. With the insert firmly in place, the Versa turns into a tough photo bag for any challenging task.
The Versa Backpack provides fast and easy access to the camera and additional gear, excellent weather protection, a versatile back system with 3 different carrying modes (backpack, sling and X-position), a retractable insert for photographic gear, external charging system for mobile phone, a designated pocket for a laptop or iPad and three water-proof outer pockets for personal stuff. Versa Backpack is made from durable tarpaulin with a matt finish, and offers a rigid bottom made with thermoforming technology for superior impact protection. The agua Versa Backpack can carry a full-format DSLR such as Canon 5D Mark 4 (or similar), 2 professional lenses including 70-200 f2.8, and flash. Like all the bags in the agua series, the Versa Backpack is IPX3-standard storm-proof.
Extreme enthusiasts will be delighted to know that they can now own a revolutionary carrier for Mavic or Spark drones, which offers easy carrying and excellent protection from weather and impact.
Agua Drone Lander lets users carry their easily on their back to the most challenging places in the world or just for a weekend trip with the family. The sensitive gear is fully protected thanks to a specially padded three-layer insert with a dedicated space for the drone and all its accessories. The bag also comes with an integral landing mat, which doubles as a work station. The Agua Drone Lander is made from durable tarpaulin with a matt finish that wraps around the padded insert and serves as an additional layer of protection from the elements such as rain, snow, dust or dirt. The agua Drone Lander is equipped with a main padded strap for carrying in the “sling” position, and a diagonal strap to keep the bag tight against the body for easy long-distance carrying. Like all the bags in the agua series, the Drone Lander is IPX3-standard storm-proof.
A one-time combination of superior storm protection and camera quick-draw – Agua Sling offers them both, perfectly!
The Agua Sling offers a compact design with surprising storage capability. It can carry a full-format DSLR camera such as Canon 5D Mark 4 (or similar), three professional lenses including 70-200 f2.8, and flash.
A wide, padded strap allows easy carrying and quick access to the gear through a side opening. Agua Sling is made from durable tarpaulin with a matt finish and offers a rigid bottom made with thermoforming technology for superior impact protection. It also features a water-proof front pocket for personal stuff, an external and convenient charging port for mobile phones and a dedicated laptop pocket. Like all the bags in the agua series, the Sling is IPX3-standard storm-proof.
“In July 2017, we’ll be returning to Kickstarter for the fourth time, and we’re looking forward to hearty support and backing “, says Rafi David, miggo’s CEO. “Kickstarter is an amazing platform that enables young companies like us to bring innovative products to the market, to receive feedback from consumers at a stage where changes can still be made and thus offer the products that are most suitable for our users.”
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The use of drones for aerial photography has grown rapidly over the past few years, and systems are now available in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small hobby aircraft to complex commercial systems. Whether you’re a beginner just looking to have fun, or an experienced photographer exploring new creative opportunities, there’s never been a better time to try this technology.
If you’ve never flown one before, drones have the potential to be a bit intimidating. In this article, the first of a three-part series, we’ll familiarize you with the basic features and components that comprise most consumer drone systems. In parts two and three, we’ll talk about how to select the best drone to meet your needs, and what you need to know about safety before your first flight.
What’s in a drone system?
Let’s get some vocabulary out of the way. While it’s common to refer to a remote-controlled aircraft as a drone, you may also run into the terms UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) or UAS (unmanned aircraft system), and professional pilots usually prefer to use these descriptors. The words drone and UAV are largely interchangeable as they both refer to just the aircraft, while UAS refers to the entire system. For convenience, we’ll use the word drone throughout this article.
 |
Every drone system is a bit different, but there are some basic things most have in common. In addition to the aircraft, they’ll generally include a lithium polymer battery for power, a camera mounted on a stabilized gimbal, and a radio communication system. Most also include a dedicated controller, though some less expensive consumer models can be controlled using only a smartphone.
From the outside, most drones appear to be simple devices, but they’re actually built around some fairly advanced technology that makes them easier to fly. This includes GPS for tracking the drone’s position, various sensors to help avoid unwanted collisions, and intelligent flight modes that can automatically focus on a point of interest or track a moving subject.
That’s a lot, so let’s break it down!
At the core of any system is the aircraft, and most consumer and prosumer drones today are quadcopters (though there are exceptions). Today, all multi-rotor drone systems designed for photo and video use a fixed-pitch propeller system. Most models use removable propellers made from a plastic/fiberglass composite that have a simple twist locking system to hold the propeller in place. Alternatively, some will use a folding propeller system.
 |
| A twist-lock prop on the DJI Phantom 4 Pro (L) and a foldable prop on the DJI Mavic Pro (R). |
The drone’s propellers are driven by brushless motors that spin at very high speed to produce the thrust required to fly. Each motor has a corresponding speed controller unit that allows for slight adjustments in the speed of the rotor; by varying the speed of the individual motors relative to one another, it’s possible to induce pitch, yaw, roll and altitude.
The flight controller is your direct line of command to the drone, and the two are linked using a radio control system, typically at 2.4 or 5.8 GHz. Input from the sticks on the flight controller sends signals to the aircraft directing it to adjust the speed controllers on each motor, allowing you to maneuver the drone. Additional inputs allow you to control the camera and other features specific to the model you’re flying.
The same radio signal used for command and control also allows the video signal to be fed from the drone to the controller’s screen, providing a real-time view for shooting photos or video. In many cases, the screen is just an Android or iOS device running a control app that you’ve installed and paired with the controller, though some models, such as the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ and Yuneec Typhoon 4K, have their own built-in screens. In addition, the screen allows you to monitor telemetry from the aircraft and includes all the controls you would expect for photography such as custom WB, bracketing, shooting style, and other camera settings.
 |
| Drones allow new perspectives on photography, such as this stitched aerial panorama of Lake Tahoe. Photo by Ryan McMaster |
If you’re planning to take photos or videos from the air, it’s critical that your camera remain as steady as possible. Most drones actually move quite a bit as they maneuver around or make corrections to maintain position. To compensate, the camera is mounted to a gimbal: a device that isolates it from the vibration and movement of the drone. Most gimbals use a 3-axis system that allows for yaw (rotational stabilization), pitch (holding the horizon during forward and backward movement), and roll (holding the horizon during side-to-side movement).
Gimbals use brushless motors that are very precise, and hold the camera in place so that video and photos (including long exposures) look amazing. In fact, if you watch a drone flying in even a moderate amount of wind you’ll notice quite a few small movements, but with a good gimbal the camera’s image will be rock solid. Some systems also offer a dual operator mode that allows the pilot to fly, while a separate camera operator runs the gimbal. This is the ultimate mode for shooting video!
 |
| The gimbal isolates the camera from vibrations and small movements by the drone, providing a stable image. |
Once your drone is in the air you want it to maintain its position, even in windy conditions. Though it’s possible for a skilled pilot to do this without assistance, all drones today rely on GPS technology, typically using both the Global Positioning System and GLONASS (the Russian GPS system), to automate this task with a high degree of precision.
The good news is that GPS makes it surprisingly easy to hold, fly a straight line, or orbit a subject while the computer does the hard work of making small adjustments to compensate for wind direction and turbulence, and as a result, drones are often much easier to fly than people anticipate. However, GPS, like any technology, can fail. As a result, learning to fly a drone without GPS assistance is an important skill to learn.
A big advancement over the past couple years has been the development of collision avoidance systems that use vision, sonic and infrared sensors to avoid obstacles. Vision systems can ‘see’ objects and halt the aircraft before it strikes something, however they usually have a limited range (15m/50ft), and the sun can sometimes create issues by causing them to think something is in the way when nothing is there. Sonic systems use sound (much like bats) to sense objects, and are usually aimed at the ground and used for auto-landing operations and ‘positioning’ on the ground in lieu of GPS. Finally, IR (infrared) sensors are a relatively new option and work based on reflected IR spectrum light. These are short range and have issues in low light, but work in a similar fashion to vision systems for obstacle avoidance.
 |
| The small circles that look like bug eyes on the front of the DJI Mavic Pro are visual sensors for the collision avoidance system. |
What are all these systems used for? Mostly, assisting new pilots in preventing collisions with objects in their vicinity, as well as preventing a loss of aircraft when returning to home by allowing the drone to avoid trees or other obstacles. However, it’s important to remember that the pilot in command is always responsible for the aircraft. Collision avoidance systems are useful but not infallible, so don’t depend on them to keep you out of trouble!
Let’s talk about power. Most drones use lithium polymer, or ‘LiPo’ batteries. These cells come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and power ratings. ‘Smart LiPo’ batteries have built-in charge/discharge regulators and sensors that can report battery voltage and temperature via an app or the press of a button. Typically, LiPo batteries run both the controller and the aircraft, and flight time usually ranges from approximately 15 to 30 minutes depending on your model, the conditions, and how aggressive you are at the controls.
LiPo batteries are energy dense and require special care, and can be dangerous if mishandled. Traveling with these batteries can be risky if you don’t take proper precautions, and in most countries, there are specific rules when you take these cells on airplanes. In the US, the TSA/FAA provide specific rules and instructions, and you must always carry these batteries on the plane with you, and never place them in checked baggage – no exceptions. If you’re outside the US, make sure you understand the rules in your country before traveling with LiPo batteries.
Originally, drones were simply a tool that allowed you to get your camera off the ground and into the air, but thanks to all the technology packed inside, modern aircraft can usually do much more.
Many drones today include a variety of semi-autonomous (‘intelligent’) flight modes that use technologies like GPS, computer vision and subject tracking to help with more complex tasks. Common examples include the ability to actively track and follow a subject as it moves, orbiting around a point of interest, or programming waypoints for the drone to follow. These modes make it possible to get very creative shots with minimal effort by the pilot. In a sense, it’s a bit like having a separate drone operator while you focus on the creative side of things. These modes are particularly helpful if your intent is to shoot video as they can make your footage look very cinematic.
 |
| One of the intelligent flight modes, waypoints (seen here), can turn your Phantom 4 Pro into a powerful surveying tool that has the ability to collect data like never before! |
A word of caution, however. Don’t just take off and blindly start using these modes. They require good knowledge of how to disable them in case of an emergency, and should not be used by beginners until basic operation of the aircraft is mastered.
There are numerous companies building consumer and prosumer drones today. The one most people will be familiar with is DJI, which is the 800-pound gorilla in the market. However, compelling models can also be found from companies like Yuneec, Autel Robotics, GoPro and Parrot, as well as a number of others.
Although it’s easy to lump these all into the same category, each creates different products and has different design philosophies. For example, Yuneec makes affordable hexacopters, and Autel Robotics provides options such a camera with thermal imaging capabilities in addition to visible light. In part two of this series, we’ll discuss how to go about choosing the drone that best meets your needs.
Drones are an amazing tool that allow us to do jobs remotely, safely, and in a way that doesn’t put a manned aircraft at risk. As technology advances the capabilities of these devices will only get better. If you’ve been looking for a way to bring a new perspective to your photos or video, consider taking to the skies. Just remember to fly respectfully and follow the rules in your locale – things we’ll discuss in upcoming articles.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
 |
The UK has announced new upcoming regulations that will require some drone owners to register their aircraft and to complete safety awareness tests related to drone operation.
The requirements will be implemented for all drones weighing a minimum of 250g / 8.8oz and registration will be possible both online and via apps, though the UK government says it is still exploring potential plans. The tests, meanwhile, will require drone operators to demonstrate knowledge of the UK’s various regulations related to drone usage, privacy, and safety.
The new requirements were detailed over the weekend by the UK government, which explained in a statement that these new measures will “improve accountability and encourage owners to act responsibly.” A recent safety research study is cited as one of the reasons for the planned regulations. In the study, various UK authorities found that drones weighing as little as 400g / 14oz can damage the windshields on helicopters.
Many details about the UK’s drone registration plans are still missing, including how much such registrations may cost, how long the registration is good for, the extent of identifying details the drone operator must provide, and more. The UK’s statement indicates that it is still developing its plans and hasn’t yet established these finer details.
The new regulations will follow the drone code established by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority in 2016. That drone code establishes operational rules for drone owners, including requiring that the drone stay within sight of the operator, that it stay below 120m / 400ft, avoid all things related to airports and aircraft, and maintain acceptable distances from property and people.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has a robotic ball-shaped camera drone called Int-Ball floating around the International Space Station, and for the first time ever it has released videos and images captured by the camera.
The drone, which measures 15cm in diameter and was delivered to the ISS on June 4th, was created using 3D printing technologies; with it, flight controllers and researchers on Earth can watch video from the ISS in real-time.
JAXA hasn’t detailed the type of camera used with Int-Ball, saying only that the robot features ‘existing drone technology.’ According to a report in The Japan Times, a dozen propellers enable Int-Ball to navigate in any direction while a variety of inertial sensors, ultrasonics sensors, and a camera make navigation possible.
JAXA says Int-Ball frees up about 10% of the ISS crew’s time for other tasks… so there is some use for it beyond adorable ISS drone marketing.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Helico Aerospace has launched its new Airdog ADII camera drone on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter, seeking funds for the sequel to its original Airdog drone launched in 2014. This next-generation Airdog packs both intelligent features and a portable, durable design, the combination of which makes this model suitable for ‘extreme sport’ activities, according to Helico.
The ADII camera drone sports a built-in ‘enhanced’ gimbal system that is compatible with the GoPro HERO 5 Black action camera. This gimbal system includes a trio of brushless motors, as well as an adapter that charges the GoPro while it is connected. The drone is equipped with a start/stop recording function, as well, that is triggered upon take-off and landing.
$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_9295418314″,”galleryId”:”9295418314″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });
The main selling point of the Airdog ADII is that it offers hands-free operation through a combination of software and hardware that enable automatic follow modes.
The ADII can be set to follow a specific perspective or remaining locked onto that angle, via a mode called ‘fixed follow.’ The drone also offers an ‘adaptive follow’ mode, tracking a specific subject as they move. Dynamic shots are also possible thanks to a ‘circle’ mode, which causes the drone to circle around a specific subject.
Tracking and precision, meanwhile, are made possible via an array of sensors, including: GPS, gyroscope, magnetometer, accelerometer and LiDAR. The drone is suitable for use in wind speeds ranging up to 30 knots, and boasts a top operating speed of 45mph / 72km/h and a maximum operational ceiling of 11,500ft / 3500m above sea level.
The ADII’s battery is rechargeable and interchangeable, able to power the drone for between 10 and 20 minutes per charge.
$ (document).ready(function() { SampleGalleryV2({“containerId”:”embeddedSampleGallery_3897782224″,”galleryId”:”3897782224″,”isEmbeddedWidget”:true,”standalone”:false,”selectedImageIndex”:0,”startInCommentsView”:false,”isMobile”:false}) });
The Airdog Kickstarter campaign is offering interested consumers a single ADII model for pledges of at least $ 1,200 USD; shipping to these backers is estimated to start in October 2017 and will be limited to ‘certain’ countries.
Visit the Airdog Kickstarter to find out more.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
 |
In 2015, the FAA issued the Registration Rule mandating that small drones used for recreational purposes had to be registered with the Administration. This was the law of the land until the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated the FAA’s Registration Rule for these small drones (called ‘model aircraft’) in May of this year, saying the requirement ‘directly violates’ Section 336(a) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act signed by President Obama in 2012.
Thanks to that ruling, small drone owners who registered their aircraft are now eligible for a refund.
Earlier this week, the FAA announced that small drone owners who operate their unmanned aircraft for recreational purposes can choose to have their FAA registration deleted and to receive a refund for the registration fee—a whopping $ 5.
This deletion and refund, however, only applies to drones that are ‘exclusively in compliance’ with Section 336: that is, for small aircraft that are solely operated for recreational purposes. And, for what it’s worth, the FAA says it still encourages these model aircraft owners to voluntarily register their drones, so if you already registered your drone you might want to remain $ 5 poorer and leave your registration intact.
If, on the other hand, you do want a refund, you’ll need to print, fill out and mail in this form to the FAA—the mailing address is located on the bottom of the second page.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
 |
| Winning images from Dronestagram’s fourth annual drone photography contest. Some of the best drone photos in the world. |
Dronestagram just wrapped up its fourth annual drone photography contest. Organized in partnership with National Geographic, the point of the contest is to surface the best drone photos from around the world. Now that the winners have been announced, we’ll let you be the judge of that.
The aerial photography social network awards prizes in three categories: Nature, Urban and People. They also name three ‘most creative’ photos in no particular order.
Scroll down to see them all for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments down below:
 |
| Lavender harvest in Provence. Photo © jcourtial |
 |
| Aerial view of a winding mountain road in Transylvania, Romania. Photo © Calin Stan |
 |
| Sea ice off the eastern coast of Greenland. Photo © Florian |
 |
| An abstract photo captured one weekend while driving down the New Jersey coast. Photo © Martin Sanchez |
 |
| A woman harvests water lilies in a pond in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Photo © helios1412 |
 |
| An aerial photo of La Vijanera, a winter masquerade that takes place in the town of Silió, in Cantabria (Spain), the first Sunday of each year. Photo © feelingmovie |
 |
| Aerial view of the Dubai Marina at sunset. Photo © bachrim |
 |
| Window washers on the ‘Mercury’ tower in Moscow City. Photo © alexeygo |
 |
| Aerial photo captured in Madrid, Spain. Photo © luckydron |
 |
| Two cows take their morning drink in Paarl, South Africa. Photo © LukeMaximoBell |
 |
| A funny and original, video game-inspired pregnancy announcement. Photo © macareuxprod |
 |
| A little bit of fun with sand art. Photo © rga |
So, what do you think? Best drone photos in the world? There’s definitely room for debate, but if you want to see more great drone shots like these, the Dronestagram website is a great place to start.
All photos courtesy of Dronestagram.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
 |
Despite present drone regulations in the US, identifying the operator of any given drone in the sky is nearly impossible, making it difficult for law enforcement to deal with drones that are being misused. To address this issue, the Federal Aviation Administration has developed the new UAS Identification and Tracking Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC), which just recently wrapped up its first meeting.
According to the FAA, this initial meeting was used to discuss law enforcement concerns related to drones, to present regulations concerning drone tracking and identification, as well as possible legal issues and air traffic drone management. Existing drone ID tech was reviewed, and ‘preliminary…identification parameters’ were created.
Speaking on the behalf of unnamed sources, Recode reports that law enforcement agencies are concerned about their inability to identify drones from the ground; this concern has reportedly delayed an FAA proposal related to flying drones over people. The FAA is said to be using this committee to develop a system in which law enforcement will be able to identify a drone from the ground, addressing the agencies’ concerns.
Such a system may involve the drone itself broadcasting its identification to a law enforcement system, enabling police to ID the drone’s operator or, at the very least, its owner. Such an identification system would likely require small non-commercial drones to be registered, however, marking a deviation from current drone regulations.
At the moment, only commercial drones must be registered with the FAA.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)