State Farm, the first insurer to win approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones commercially, has launched hundreds of experimental drone flights for routine roof inspections. If the technology works out, the company could eventually use drones to give them a bird’s eye view of catastrophes. Continue reading
Category Archives: Non-Military & Commercial UAS
AirMap Unveils Drone Digital Flight Notice Network
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Unmanned aircraft airspace information provider AirMap and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) released a notification system to make airport operators aware of nearby drone flights. The Digital Notice and Awareness System (D-NAS) is a quasi flight planning and notam system for participating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operators and airports, allowing UAS operators to send encrypted digital flight notices to the airport’s operations center.
DJI Sues Yuneec Over Patent Infringement
DJI has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Yuneec International, alleging that Yuneec copied “key achievements” of its research and development efforts. The lawsuit seeks to stop Yuneec from selling its products with disputed features just as the U.S. market for commercial small unmanned aircraft systems is poised to expand. Continue reading
Mississippi State UAS Map Wildfire Damage
Researchers at Mississippi State are using innovative unmanned aircraft technology to help state and federal officials assess extensive wildfire damage to a unique natural habitat on the Coast. Biologists and geographic information system specialists from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, along with the U.S. Forestry Service, are assessing the land and habitat that recently burned as a result of a large wildfire that spread across southeast Jackson County into Alabama. Continue reading
Grand Forks Business Park 50-Year Lease Signed
A historic day as the Grand Forks Air Force takes a big step forward in securing a first of its kind drone-based business park. A new lease agreement of the airstrip means it will be shared for military and civilian use. Continue reading
Drone World Expo Welcomes Commercial Drone Users
Registration is now open for the 2nd annual Drone World Expo (November 15-16, 2016) which will once again gather thousands of thought leaders, end-users and decision makers in the commercial drone industry at the San Jose Convention Center. Continue reading
Mini NASA Methane Sensor Makes Successful Flight Test
As part of a project to improve safety in the energy pipeline industry, researchers have successfully flight-tested a miniature methane gas sensor developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, on a Vertical Take-off and Landing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). The sensor, similar to one developed by JPL for use on Mars, enables detection of methane with much higher sensitivity than previously available for the industry in hand-carried or sUAS-deployable instruments.
FAA Doubles ‘Blanket’ Altitude for Many UAS Flights
After a comprehensive risk analysis, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised the unmanned aircraft (UAS) “blanket” altitude authorization for Section 333 exemption holders and government aircraft operators to 400 feet. Previously, the agency had put in place a nationwide Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) for such flights up to 200 feet. Continue reading