A few weeks ago, Transport Canada quietly loosened the rules for users of small drones, allowing them to fly them closer to vehicles, vessels, people and airports than previously permitted. Continue reading
Allianz and Flock to Launch UK’s First Pay-as-you-Fly Drone Insurance
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (AGCS), the corporate insurance carrier of Allianz SE, is working with InsurTech startup Flock to develop digital insurance solutions for the growing drones or ‘Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ (UAS) market. The partnership’s first product, to be launched later this year in the UK market, is a mobile app (for Android and iOS devices) enabling operators to purchase ‘pay-as-you-fly’ drone insurance at the touch of a button. Continue reading
UK Small RPAS Mid-Air Collision Study Published
Airliner cockpit for impact testing (left) and computer reference model
The Department for Transport, the Military Aviation Authority and British Airline Pilots’ Association commissioned a study into the effects of a mid-air collision between small remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, commonly known as a drones) and manned aircraft. Continue reading
Precision Farming via Satellite Imaging
Drone with Butterfleye LS hyperspectral images
Precision farming is set to become even more precise with a new camera drawing on satellite imaging. Thanks to research with ESA on new cameras, hyper-spectral cameras flying on drones are now able to see details as small as 4–5 cm. Continue reading
Microdrones Successfully Completes 10 New BVLOS Test Flights Using Its Standard Solution
On July 13 and 14, Microdrones completed an exciting series of test flights that extended further than the operator could see – or, as it is referred to in the aviation industry, beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS). Continue reading
US Army Seeks Shape-Changing Biomimetic Aircraft
U.S. Army wants aircraft that can change their physical shape to meet the requirements of a mission. The concept is called “biomimetics,” or designing equipment based on phenomena found in nature. For example, the Wright brothers were inspired to design their first airplane after observing birds in flight. Continue reading
THOR Hybrid UAV from Singapore
Conventional multicopter drones are excellent at hovering and VTOL, but they can’t cover long distances as efficiently as fixed-wing aircraft. A team of students from the Singapore University of Technology and Design is trying to get the best of both worlds with the Transformable HOvering Rotorcraft (THOR). Continue reading
Nett Warrior Streams Real-Time Drone Video to Soldiers
The U.S. Army is developing technology to allow dismounted soldiers to look at real time nearby air and ground drone feeds on a hand held, smartphone like ruggedized device. Continue reading