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Posts Tagged ‘drone’

ISO drafts the first worldwide drone standards, expected to be adopted later next year

23 Nov

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a draft set of standards for drone operations. The drafts will be open for public consultation until January 21, 2019 and are expected to be adopted globally later next year.

This is the first set of four drone-related sets of standards. An additional three sets will look into technical specifications, manufacturing quality, and traffic management.

Most of the proposed standards are line with already existing drone legislation and regulations as well as common sense. The draft includes no-fly zones around airports and other sensitive locations. Geo-fencing technology is suggested to prevent drone flying over restricted areas. Other suggestions include flight logging, operator training as well as maintenance requirements.

There are also rules around privacy and data protection for operators and the draft standard suggests there should be a mandatory means of human intervention for all drone flights.

With drone traffic increasing substantially and drones frequently involved in air traffic incidents, more standards for both technology and operation procedures should be a step into the right direction and can help drive drone adoption further. More information is available on the ISO website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Vantage Robotics Snap drone receives receive FAA-certification for flights over crowds of people

21 Nov

Normally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits flying drones commercially over people in the United States. However, Vantage Robotics’ compact 4K-capable camera quadcopter Snap is now the first drone to receive FAA-certification for flights over crowds of people for both emergency and non-emergency purposes.

The Part 107.39 waiver granted to Rutherford County, Tennesee is a first for a county government in the United States. This is due to the drone’s comprehensive set of safety features, including protected rotors and a lightweight design that lets the drone break into several smaller and less dangerous pieces in the event of a crash.

Brian Robertson, Chief Information Officer for Rutherford, says in the press release:

‘Demands of today’s local governments mean we must function in as many scenarios as possible. The ability to safely and appropriately maneuver our aerial assets over and near event personnel or participants gives our program several new possibilities. Whether for routine coverage of numerous events such as Main Street’s Jazz Fest in May, Uncle Dave Macon Days in July, or during incidents such as the November 6 tornado, the ability to capture the gravity or details of these events from the unique perspective is a major addition to this public service.’

This is a small step towards more drones flying overhead at large events and in crowded areas. More information is available on the Vantage Robotics blog.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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7Artisans shows off new 35mm F/5.6 FE lens designed specifically for drone photography

09 Nov

Chinese lens manufacturer 7Artisans has introduced a new 35mm F5.6 FE lens designed specifically for drone photography.

The unusual-looking lens features an FE mount for full-frame Sony cameras and weighs just 49 grams. Its optical construction is specifically designed to reduce perspective distortion and minimize any vignetting around the edge of the image frame.

7Artisans also notes that the lens can be locked to infinity focus by using three screws to lock the lens into place. The below image is the only sample image 7Artisans has supplied.

7Artisan lenses can be purchased through B&H, but the 35mm F5.6 FE lens isn’t yet posted on B&H and 7Artisans doesn’t mention pricing or availability on its website (translated). We have contacted 7Artisans regarding these details and will update accordingly when and if we hear back.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI unveils Mavic 2 Enterprise, a commercial-oriented drone with modular accessories

31 Oct

DJI has unveiled the Mavic 2 Enterprise, a modular version of its Mavic 2 Zoom drone designed specifically for businesses, governments, educators and other professionals.

At its core, The Mavic 2 Enterprise is effectively a Mavic 2 Zoom drone with a few tricks up its sleeve. It has the same 4K video capabilities, 2x optical zoom and 3x digital zoom, and 31-minute flight time. But in addition to the standard features, DJI has added a few unique features that will help it perform in more demanding environments.

The battery inside The Mavic 2 Enterprise is “self-heating,” which DJI says will enable it to operate at much cooler temperatures than your run-of-the-mill Mavic 2 Zoom. DJI has also beefed up storage, adding 24GB of storage, three times what the Mavic 2 Zoom offers. There’s also new security features, including a GPS timestamping feature and a new password protection feature that will make users type in a code every time the drone is activated, accesses the onboard storage, or connect with the controller.

To help with various needs such as search and rescue operations and inspections, DJI has also created three add-on accessories: The M2E Spotlight, the M2E Speaker, and the M2E Beacon.

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The M2E Spotlight is a 2,400-lumen dual spotlight designed to help “operators in carrying out missions in dark or low-light areas.” The M2E Speaker is a 100-decibel loudspeaker that can have up to ten customized recordings for blaring in emergency situations. The The M2E Beacon is a strobe build with the FAA’s Night Waiver standards in mind, meaning the drone will be visible up to three miles away, be it for other drone operators or pilots of manned aircrafts.

The DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Universal Edition includes the drone, a remote controller, one battery, all three mountable accessories, and a protector case with flight tools. It’s set to retail for $ 1,999 USD and is available through DJI Enterprise resellers around the world. To find out more information, head on over to DJI’s product page.

There is also an optional “Fly More Kit” that includes two batteries, a battery charging hub, a car charger, a USB connector, a soft case, and two propellers for $ 419 USD.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI challenges drone plane collision test, accuses researchers of ‘sowing fear’

23 Oct

DJI has challenged a recently published video that demonstrates a small drone smashing into an airplane wing. The test collision was conducted in a simulated environment by researchers with the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) to assess the potential damage such an in-air crash may cause. DJI has accused the test of being “unbalanced, agenda-driven research.”

In a letter sent to UDRI’s group leader for impact physics Kevin Poorman, DJI alleges UDRI’s “Risk in the Sky?” video (below) and related materials present a “collision scenario between a drone and an airplane wing that is simply inconceivable in real life.”

The test collision involved a 952g / 2.1lbs DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter being launched at the wing of a Mooney M20 aircraft. In a blog post about the research, UDRI researchers said the test was intended to “mimic a midair collision of a drone and a commercial transport aircraft at 238 miles per hour…”

DJI has taken issue with that claim, saying the test assumes the Mooney M20 would be flying at its max 200mph / 321kph speed, and that the drone would “apparently” be exceeding its max 33.5mph / 53.9kph speed. “At the altitudes where that plane would conceivably encounter a Phantom drone,” DJI claims, “it would fly less than half as fast – generating less than one-fourth of the collision energy.”

DJI also states:

Your video was created contrary to established U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) crash test parameters, which assume a bird striking an airplane at its sea-level cruising speed —which is typically 161 mph to 184mph for Mooney M20. Your video deliberately created a more damaging scenario, and was widely cited as evidence for what could happen to a large commercial jet —even though the Mooney M20 is a small plane with four seats.

The Chinese drone company has likewise taken issue with the test as a whole, accusing it of having not been “created as part of a legitimate scientific query, with little description of your testing methodology and no disclosure of data generated during the test.” The company accuses the researchers of having a “bias toward sowing fear,” claiming they would have otherwise also shared a video of a simulated bird-plane strike that caused “more apparent damage.”

DJI’s letter demands UDRI “remove the alarmist video,” withdraw the research, and “issue a corrective statement” that proclaims the test to be “invalid.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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New Pennsylvania bill will fine drone operators up to $300 for invading privacy

14 Oct

A new Pennsylvania bill, signed by Governor Tom Wolf, will impose a financial penalty for drone operators who use their drone to spy on people or otherwise endanger the physical wellbeing of someone.

As reported by Pittsburgh’s WTAE, House Bill 1346, which goes into effect 60 days after signing, says that any drone operator “who uses a drone to invade someone else’s privacy or puts someone in fear of being physically harmed” will face a fine upwards of $ 300.

“With the rise in popularity of drones with video cameras, this is a commonsense step to prevent the use of drones to invade someone’s privacy,” says Governor Wolf. “Drones should not be a tool to spy on someone in their yard or through their window.”

According to Pennsylvania Republican Jeff Pyle of Armstrong County, a sponsor of the bill, the wording used in the bill was written with the help of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

In addition to the $ 300 fine, the bill also addresses the issue of using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons. Individuals who use a drone to sneak items to a prison inmate can face upwards of ten years in prison and a fine up to $ 25,000.

The statewide bill also prohibits local governments from coming up with their own drone regulations and also provides exceptions to first responders, law enforcement officials, government employees and utility companies who are using drones in an official work capacity.

This bill adds Pennsylvania to the growing list of states that have already addressed issues surrounding drone privacy and the many others who are currently working on solutions.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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FAA issues warning to drone pilots in hurricane areas

12 Oct

The FAA, the agency that regulates airspace in the United States, has issued a warning to drone operators as a reminder not to interfere with emergency operations in areas affected by Hurricane Michael.

Drones are frequently used during disasters for tasks such as search and rescue or damage assessment, but this work is performed by trained professionals and volunteers, and is tightly coordinated by emergency agencies to avoid possible interference with low flying aircraft involved in the disaster response.

Fines for interfering with emergency operations may exceed $ 20,000, but more importantly, flying a drone in an affected area could impact emergency operations at a critical time. Pilots who wish to contribute to recovery efforts are encouraged to do so through volunteer organizations that work directly with the local incident commander.

Although most drone pilots will know to avoid interference with emergency operations, this is a friendly reminder not to be that person who inevitably ends up on the evening news for flying their drone directly into a disaster zone.

Here’s the official warning from the FAA for those who want details:

Hurricane Michael: Information for Drone Operators

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is warning drone owners and operators that they will be subject to significant fines that may exceed $ 20,000 if they interfere with emergency response operations in the areas affected by Hurricane Michael.

Many aircraft that are conducting life-saving missions and other critical response and recovery efforts are likely to be flying at low altitudes over areas affected by the storm. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may unintentionally disrupt rescue operations and violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is not in place. Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.

Government agencies with an FAA Certificate of Authorization (COA) or flying under Part 107, as well as private sector Part 107 drone operators who want to support response and recovery operations, are strongly encouraged to coordinate their activities with the local incident commander responsible for the area in which they want to operate.

If drone operators need to fly in controlled airspace or a disaster TFR to support the response and recovery, operators must contact the FAA’s System Operations Support Center (SOSC) by emailing 9-ATOR-HQ-SOSC@faa.gov the information they need to authorize access to the airspace. Coordination with the SOSC may also include a requirement that a drone operator obtain support from the appropriate incident commander.

Here’s the information the FAA may require:

  • the unmanned aircraft type
  • a PDF copy of a current FAA COA
  • the pilot’s Part 107 certificate number
  • details about the proposed flight (date, time, location, altitude, direction and distance to the nearest airport, and latitude/longitude)
  • nature of the event (fire, law enforcement, local/national disaster, missing person) and the pilot’s qualification information.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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PSA: This is what happens when a drone hits the wing of an airplane

10 Oct

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) has published a video showing the damage caused by a consumer drone when it strikes the wing of a fixed-wing aircraft. The test simulated life-like conditions, the end result mimicking the collision of a quadcopter with the wing of an aircraft at 238MPH / 383kph.

Despite weighing only 952g / 2.1lbs, the drone tore a large hole in the wing, ultimately causing damage to its main spar. UDRI’s group leader for impact physics Kevin Poormon said in a university release that the drone caused “significant damage” to the structure. Both the video and test results were recently presented at the Unmanned Systems Academic Summit.

The test follows decades of bird-strike research involving aircraft, the data necessary in a world where consumer drone numbers have skyrocketed. Talking about the topic, Poormon explained:

Drones are similar in weight to some birds, and so we’ve watched with growing concern as reports of near collisions have increased, and even more so after the collision last year between an Army Blackhawk helicopter and a hobby drone that the operator flew beyond his line of site.

Earlier this year, a video surfaced of a drone pilot operating their UAV directly above a passenger jet as it left McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. Similar reports of reckless activity have surfaced in recent months, such as an investigation into a possibly drone-related helicopter crash earlier this year and a drone-plane collision in Canada late last year.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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US Congress approves bill granting warrantless private drone take-downs

06 Oct

Following approval by the House earlier this year, the United States Senate has passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, which was delivered to the White House on October 3, 2018. Under this bill, which grants the FAA federal funding through 2023, law enforcement officials are given the authority to shoot down and/or confiscate private drones if they’re deemed a credible threat.

As noted recently by The Washington Post, the new bill allows officials to shoot down private drones if they’re “identified as high-risk and a potential target for unlawful unmanned aircraft activity.” In these cases, law enforcement isn’t required to have a warrant to take down or confiscate the aerial vehicle.

Last month, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) expressed concerns over the reauthorization bill, stating that it had been “stuffed with last-minute provisions that would strip people of their constitution rights.”

Among other things, the EFF pointed toward the warrantless downing of private drones, as well as the lack of a requirement to warn operators when they’re flying in restricted airspace. As well, “the bill still has no process for clearly stating what areas are “covered facilities,” so that the public can know where they are allowed to fly,” the EFF explains.

Critics worry the new authority will enable the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies to take down camera drones used during protests and by reporters, activists, and photographers, all without a warrant. Private drone owners also risk losing possession of their drone if it is confiscated without warning due to being labelled a “threat.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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DJI can now enable drone operation in controlled areas

03 Oct

Drone maker DJI has been approved by the The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to authorize drone flights in controlled airspace around airports as part of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) program.

LAANC was established earlier this year by the FAA to facilitate drone operation for professional pilots near approximately 500 airports where commercial drone flights generally require prior authorization. Pilots will be able to receive near-real-time authorization instead of going through a more long-winded and slower process.

The program designates locations within the restricted airspace that can be used safely up to approved altitudes, and monitors temporary flight restrictions and other limits that could affect flight permissions. Drone pilots can use LAANC to check those limits, plan flights and file applications. Applications are processed instantly and LAANC provides flight information to FAA Air Traffic.

“Before LAANC, using drones for productive work near many airports required detailed applications and up to months of waiting, even when the benefits were clear and safety was prioritized. Now, LAANC allows easy drone use in more than 2,000 square miles near airports, including many populated areas that can benefit tremendously from drone operations,” said Brandon Montellato, DJI Program Manager – Enterprise Solutions. “More than 100,000 Part 107-certified drone pilots will now be able to perform valuable work – from inspections and surveys to filming and photography – with near-instant approval.”

DJI is one of 9 new companies and organisations that have been authorized by the FAA after a rigorous testing and validation process. The others are Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, KittyHawk, UASidekick, and Unifly.

Thanks to the approval DJI can now allow customers to apply for LAANC approvals via their DJI accounts to plan flights. The company says it will provide more information on how the process will be integrated into its products lineup in the near future.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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