The UK Royal Air Force has completed a trial programme intended to assess the ability of non-pilots to fly UAS. Called Daedalus, the process “has successfully demonstrated that selection and training can generate remote pilots who, despite undergoing a different sort of training, are as highly trained and equally skilled as traditional pilots in that field”, the RAF says.
eBay Raven Seller Faces 20 Years Jail
Henson Chua of the Philippines is looking at 20 years in prison for starting an auction on parts for a RQ-11B Raven, which is totally forbidden under the Arms Control Export Act. As seller celltron8 on eBay, Chua allegedly asked for $13,000 for the handheld UAS. Unfortunately for him, his bidder was an undercover investigator for the Department of Homeland Security.
Cyprus to use UAS to Monitor Soil
UAS Flies in Kotsiatis (Photo: Kjell Sture Johansen)
Last week, Cyprus Institute’s Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) held a three day UAS workshop that ended with a flight demonstration. Director, Manfred Lange, said that recent technological advances made by his team could offer an economical ways to help farmers, climatologists and event archaeologists.
Smart Bird – Bird Flight Deciphered by Festo
Stuttgart-based Festo claims to be inspired by nature, having deciphered bird flight with its Smart Bird. The ‘bird’ is highly aerodynamically efficient, even turning its head like real gulls do to refine aerobatic turns, and can take off and land by itself.
General Atomics Sets up London Office to Support UK Ministry of Defence
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced yesterday that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems UK Ltd (GA-UK), an affiliated entity, has been established with an office in London. The office will be managed by Dr. Jonny King.
China’s $380,000 Innovation Award in Detail
More details of the AVIC Cup – International UAV Innovation Grand Prix – organized by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in Beijing, on Sept 23 – 25, 2011 in partnership with UVS International. There are in fact two categories – The Creativity Grand Prix and The Athletics Grand Prix:
US Coast Guard Trains UAS Pilots Before Buying Aircraft
The US Coast Guard is training up UAS pilots in anticipation of Congress providing funding for its own aircraft. The skeleton of the service’s UAS programme is taking shape at the Aviation Training Centre, Mobile, Alabama.
Wales Launches Project to use UAS Remote Sensing for Use in Land Applications
The Welsh Assembly Government has just launched a two year research and development programme to explore the potential for advanced remote sensing, using small unmanned aircraft, for use in land applications, primarily high input arable farming. The programme is called Project URSULA – UAS Remote Sensing for Use in Land Applications.