Drone News Update

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, a controversial Texas bill aims to ban certain drones for public safety use. Second, Florida considers a bill allowing "reasonable force" against drones over private property. Third, Oregon passes stricter penalties for drone interference with emergency responders. And finally, SkyeBrowse and Paladin p...

First up, Senate Bill 1249 in Congress proposes to change how navigable airspace is defined, and would give the first 200 feet above the ground to states and private property owners. This bill also gives mandatory standoff distances from structures, including 200' laterally and 50 feet over the top of structures. Sadly, this is not a new idea. 5 years, we spent a significant amount of time fig...

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have 4 stories for you this week. Zipline expands its drone delivery service into Texas through a partnership with Walmart, NASA is developing a new system designed to predict drone hazards before they happen, Pierce Aerospace has deployed drone detectors to the US Border, and BRINC raises $75m. First up this week, Zipline is bringing its drone delivery s...

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have three stories for you this week. First, DJI takes the Department of Defense to court over its "Chinese Military Company" label. Second, the popular DJI Mini 4 Pro gets a huge update enabling third-party app support. And third, drones play a crucial role in rescuing two lost teenagers in Colorado. First up this week, DJI is pushing back lega...

Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro's launch date, specs, and pricing have been leaked. Second, a research team developed a battery that lets drones fly in extreme cold. Third, a missing woman in Wisconsin was found quickly, thanks to a drone. And finally, President Trump nominates a new FAA Administrator. And first up this...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; Ascent AeroSystems releases the Helius, Blue UAS and Framework Changes, a Big SkyeBrowse Update, and Skydio sends Tracking Mailers to Police Department. First up, Ascent Aerosystems has released the HELIUS!This is a 249, coaxial system that mimics the design of the much larger Spirit. According to Ascent’s website, this is an all we...

A sad first story, the industry pioneer and public safety visionary Romeo Durscher has sadly passed away. Romeo was a pioneer of drones for public safety, with the mantra "Drones for good".He worked for DJI, as their Director of Public Safety Integration, where he led and assisted departments getting started with drones. In 2018, the Camp Fire in California destroyed an entire town. Rome...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; DJI launches new dock and drone, Connecticut’s “emergency” bill to ban Chinese drones, your last chance to comment on the Department of Commerce ANPRM, and LEDA calls out AUVSI. First up, DJI launched the new Dock 3 and Matrice 4D & 4TD!This is the first DJI dock designed for use on a vehicle, allowing the drone to launch direct...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you; A Drone Crash into Uranium Mine, GA bill to ban Chinese Drones, ND Senate rejects Chinese drone ban, Sumas Police Rescue, and New DJI Products! First up, don’t be this guy. An alleged drone collision with mine equipment at the Pinyon Plain uranium mine here in AZ caused the mine to temporarily cease operations.  While the size and t...

First up, this week marks 300 weeks of Drone News… Thanks for tuning in and making this possible! So far we’ve got 390,000 students with over 115,000 in our Part 107 course, 48 drone courses, we’ve shipped over 50,000 stickers, Done FAA WINGs credits, and TRUST Certificates. And this is just the beginning! Soon we’ll be moved into our new building where we’ll be able to start offering even more co...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; Department of Commerce Advanced Notice NPRM, More drone show troubles, and more DJI Flip leaks. Story Links: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-30209/securing-the-information-and-communications-technology-and-services-supply-chain-unmanned-aircraft https://www.wkrg.com/news/nye-drone-show-canceled-on-folly-beach-...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you: Drone Light Show injures kid in Orlando, Israeli drone company wins big DOD drone contract, and navigating TFRs in New York and New Jersey. First story this week is a bit of a sad one. A child was injured at an Orlando drone show last week after a drone hit him in the chest during a show near Lake Eola Park. The 7-year old boy was t...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; Skydio sanctioned by China, Michigan Coalition of Drone Operators vs University of Michigan lawsuit, More info on the DJI Lawsuit,DJI New Goggles Leaks. 

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; DJI Takes legal action against the DOD, CNN Drone crashes into crowd injuring three, and BRINC releases the Guardian. Join our community site: https://pilotinstitute.com/community/

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; GAO Report on Foreign Made Drones, officials tell Fairfax County to stop using DJI, Axon acquires Dedrone, and new record drone show. First up, the GAO has released a report on the Department of Interior’s stance on foreign drones. Currently, the DOI does not allow foreign drones to be used except for emergency situations such as se...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you, New DJI Action 5, Air 3S hits FCC Database, Pilot Institute Community, a Drone finds missing Louisiana girl, and a press release on drone incursions into wild fire aircraft operations. First up, DJI has released the new Action 5! The action 5 comes with a new 1/1.3” sensor (the same size as the Mini 4 Pro), 10-bit D-Log M, HLG, hori...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you: Drone ban updates, Green Day concert paused for drone flight, FLIR and AirData partner, 3 men in a stolen vehicle were found using a drone, and SkyeBrowse updates everyone to Lite Processing! First up, The house has voted to pass the Countering CCP Drones Act. This is a setback that was expected but it changes little. Representative...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you; Updated Countering CCP Drones language, representatives call for Anzu investigation, FAA proposes over 300,000 in fines, two drones-for-good stories about rescue, and Best Buy strikes again with a DJI leak. Story Links: https://dronexl.co/2024/08/27/lawmakers-dji-drone-loophole-anzu-robotics/ https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-propose...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you, More DJI Leaks, DroneUp layoffs, and failed drone smuggling in South Carolina. First up, a bunch more DJI leaks have come out this week including the Air 3S and more Neo Leaks! New images of the Air 3S show what appears to be a much larger gimbal on an Air 3 frame. Leaked images also confirm the name of the new drone as the Air 3S....

Join our Community site! COMMUNITY.PILOTINSTITUTE.COM

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you, Man sacrifices drone to save lost people, Autel Evo Lite Enterprise, and Drones inspect KLM Aircraft. First up, 7 people were rescued after their boat started sinking in Utah Lake. Police were notified of a sinking boat, but were unable to locate them. While staging rescue crews at the marina, a local man flying his drone for fun ov...

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you, Countering CCP Drones Act Update, First Category 2 Drone, a brand new DJI drone model and the FAA authorizes commercial BVLOS flights without a visual observer. First up, a new senate amendment to the 2025 NDAA hopes to add the Countering CCP Drones Act. If enacted, the countering CCP language would revoke all FCC approvals for DJI...

The first story this week is not the best one, a man was arrested for flying a drone over the SpaceX launch facility in Cameron County, Tx. The man was identified as 32 yr. old, Reynold Daniel Chavez, admitted he was flying his drone to see the rockets and said he didn’t know the airspace was restricted. At this stage, we’re unsure what legal ramifications Chavez will face. But he was charged with...

First up is your “Don’t be that guy” segment… A video was posted this week of a drone pilot flying over the Blue Angels near Pensacola Beach, FL. The drone appeared to be in the flight path of the jets, though slightly higher. The footage has since been deleted off of social media. Please do not be that guy and do not interfere with other air traffic. We’ll keep you updated as we see how this stor...