Amazon.com has patented technology for drones with retractable in-flight wings. Amazon originally filed for the patent in October 2014 under the name “in-flight reconfigurable hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle.” The hybrid foldable-wing design is covered in a patent that was published last Tuesday.
Category Archives: News
UAE to Charge $14k p.a. Fee for Commercial Operators

Commercial operators of drones in the UAE have to shell out a fee of $13,624 (AED50,000) per year, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operators using drone for non-commercial purpose are charged $1,107 (AED4,063) a year though the operator has to pay $273 (AED1,000) every 90 days. The fee for UAS training entities has also been set at $13,624 (AED50,000), but for five years. Continue reading
Trig Avionics Announces TT26 UAS Transponder

Trig Avionics has announced its latest product, the TT26. As an ETSO certified UAS transponder product, the TT26 is capable of operations up to 70,000 feet, thanks to its 250-watt Mode S transponder with altitude encoder and ADS-B Out (1090ES). Continue reading
General Atomics Names SkyGuardian Predator Variant
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) launched a “Type-Certifiable” (STANAG 4571) version of its Predator B product line, called SkyGuardian, last week before an audience of international dignitaries from nine nations including the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and the United States.
Speaker Proposals Now Being Accepted for Drone World Expo Educational Program
Following an extremely successful gathering for the commercial drone industry, the Drone World Expo team with the help of an outstanding Advisory Board, is preparing for its 3rd annual event, which will return to the San Jose Convention Center, October 3-4, 2017.
USAF’s 1,000th RPA Student Graduates

Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, presented 2nd Lt. Kevin a certificate commemorating the thousandth graduate of the Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft training program at Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Texas, Jan. 20, 2017. Continue reading
Kespry Announces Drone 2 with Greater Accuracy

Kespry has announced that it has enhanced the Kespry Drone 2 with higher performance features that deliver significantly greater accuracy and reliability. Continue reading
Airobotics Expands Australian Presence
Airobotics continues to grows its presence in the Australian market with the appointment of Joe Urli as Director of Flight Operations, based in Brisbane. Australia was selected as a preferred growth channel for Airobotics, and its first Australian representative, Richard Thompson (based in Perth), was appointed in October 2016.
Business Development Vice President Yahel Nov said the expertise Joe Urli brings is considerable as Airobotics formally applies for a ReOC (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator’s Certificate). Continue reading