Drone News Update Pilot Institute

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 3 stories for you this week: FAA Reauthorization, DJI Mini 4K, and Robinson Helicopters purchased Ascent AeroSystems.
First up, congress appears close to FAA reauthorization.

The reauthorization is over 1,000 pages, with topics including BVLOS drone operations, fine increases for consumer violations, legislation over near collisions, quality control for large aircraft manufacturers, and FAA staffing.

Congress now will need to vote in favor of the bill before it heads to the President’s desk.

During this time, we need to stay up to date on possible regulations going through Congress that may get lumped into the bill.

The DAA has a new campaign opposing a section of the FAA Reauthorization that would prohibit the DOT from using any money for drones made in China along with the expected-to-be-introduced Drones for First Responders Act.

Check out the DAA Link below to make your voice heard and we'll keep you updated when we see more.

https://droneadvocacyalliance.com/

Next up is the DJI Mini 4K.

The drone is currently available for sale on DJI’s Amazon site, with no mention on DJI’s official website.

The Mini 4K supports recording up to 4K 30fps, and 2.7K up to 60 fps.

Other specs remain similar to the old Mini 2 series, with a 31-minute flight time, 3 axis gimbal, smart features like quickshots, panoramic shots, and RTH.

The Mini 4K comes in at $299 for the drone and controller, and the Fly-more combo with extra batteries at $449.

This offers a more cost-effective option for those looking for a 4K drone, as compared to the Mini 3 at $419 for the drone and controller, and $589 for the fly more combo.

Let us know what you think about this new DJI release!

https://dronexl.co/2024/04/29/dji-mini-4k-drone/

Last up, Robinson Helicopter has acquired Ascent AeroSystems.

If you’re unfamiliar with Ascent, they make the Spirit Drone which is a coaxial tube-like drone primarily used by the military and some industries.

The Spirit has a max takeoff weight of 13.5 lbs, an IP56 Rating, and a maximum flight time with a payload of 38 minutes.

Ascent also makes the NX30, with a 15lb payload, 65-minute endurance, and 35-mile range.

Robinson CEO David Smith hopes to ramp up production of Ascent’s drones to hundreds a month.

We’ll keep you updated if we see more from Robinson and Ascent!

https://dronexl.co/2024/04/24/robinson-helicopter-drone-maker-ascent-aerosystems/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 4 stories for you this week: New Drone Act in Congress, Aloft adds SGI, the DAC recommends Changes for Stadium TFRs, and the new DJI Agras!

First up, is the soon-to-be proposed "Drones for First Responders Act". Not to be confused with DFR: Drones AS first Responder, which is actually something useful. This bill is introduced by Elise Stefanik, NY republican, who was being the proposed full DJI ban we discussed a few weeks ago. So you know we're in good capable hands here.
The new act aims to transition public safety operations away from Chinese-made drones by increasing tariffs, providing grants to purchase US-made drones, set a limit on when imported drones must not contain Chinese parts (2030), and provides grants to US manufacturers.
There's no word though on if US manufacturers will be able to produce the same amount of drones and what will happen if production is limited.
The act claims that drones manufactured in China have a risk of potential data vulnerability. So I'm gonna ask the same question I've been asking for the last few years: if they are a threat, why are we allowing them to be used for the next 6 years under this proposal?
Keep in mind, this is NOT a bill nor a legislative proposal yet and is subject to change.
We don't have a bill text at this time, but we'll let you know when we see one.

https://dronelife.com/2024/04/21/new-legislation-balances-national-security-concerns-with-support-for-u-s-drone-industry-drones-for-first-responders-act/

Second up, Aloft has added automated SGI waiver requests into Air Control!
In case you don’t know what an SGI waiver is, it stands for Special Government Interest.
SGI waivers allow for public safety and other UAS operators to fly in emergency operations that may require entering a no-fly zone or flying beyond visual line of sight.
To get an SGI waiver, a department or operator had to call the FAA’s SOSC.
Aloft Air Control is now approved to provide these waivers as needed.
This should help all those public safety agencies and those who operate as volunteers.

https://www.aloft.ai/blog/aloft-introduces-automated-sgi-waivers-in-aloft-air-control-streamlining-access-to-restricted-airspaces/

Next up, the DAC is recommending changes to stadium TFRs!
Stadium TFRs close over 125,000 square miles of airspace annually and impact thousands of legitimate UAS operations.
The DAC’s recommendation includes a drone-specific TFR that would be limited to the fence line of the stadium, reducing the restriction by 99% to just 11 square miles.
Pretty cool for those operators who fly in cities!

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/704774366/drone-advisory-council-announces-recommendation-to-modernize-airspace-restrictions-at-sporting-events

Last up, DJI is continuing to release new drones!
The Agras T25 and the Agras T50 were released this week.
Along with these new Agras, DJI released Smart Farm, which allows for plot management and daily operations.
The new T50 comes with Active Phased Array RADAR, a four-sprinkler Kit, and 9-minute fast charging batteries.
The T50 has a maximum payload of 50kg of spreading payload or 40kg of spray payload and can spray 50 acres per hour.
We’ll keep you updated if we see more from DJI!

https://dronexl.co/2024/04/22/dji-agras-t50-agricultural-drone/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week on Monday for the live!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 3 stories for you this week: Drone Shop Owner arrested for prison drops, Baltimore bridge collapse, possible Avata release next week?
First up, next week appears to have two DJI releases!
The first release appears to be a possible gimbal which is set to release on the 9th.
Leaks on the new gimbal suggest an RS4 Pro and suggest battery compatibility and new accessories.
Unlike the possible RS4 Pro, the next release has several leaks.
Set to release on the 11th appears to be a new DJI Avata!
Leaked specs and pricing from DroneXL suggest a 1/1.3” CMOS sensor, D-Log, O4, and 23 minute battery life.
Pricing has also been leaked, with the drone only coming in at $410 and the fly more combo at $960.
We’ll keep you updated if we see anything else about either of these releases!

https://dronexl.co/2024/04/03/dji-avata-2-leaks-specs-prices-features/
https://dronexl.co/2024/03/28/dji-rs-4-pro-gimbal-leaked-photo/

Next up, the bridge collapse in Baltimore is a No Drone Zone.
If you’re unfamiliar, a container ship hit a bridge pylon on the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore resulting in the bridge collapsing.
To reduce possible airspace congestion, a TFR has been issued for the area surrounding the bridge.
Authorities including as the NTSB are using drones and helicopters as part of the investigation, with the NTSB releasing videos and images of the collapse.
The FBI has issued a statement saying: “The FBI's message is simple: All drones are to stay away from the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. This is to ensure the safety of all first responders and crews in the area as well as to not interfere with their work," said William J. DelBagno, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Baltimore Field Office. "You will be charged federally if you fly a drone in a restricted area. It is harmful to the recovery operations, and it is illegal”
Don’t be that guy…

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/31/fbi-no-drone-zone-baltimore-bridge-collapse/

Last up this week, a drone shop owner in Georgia was arrested for using drones to smuggle contraband into Prison.
Georgia Department of Corrections arrested business owner Robert Schwartz from Thunder Drones on charges including contraband drops and inmate communications.
Police said during the investigation they stopped over 170 prison drops, seized more than 50 drones, 51 lbs of ecstasy, 22 firearms, and 273 cellphones.
The investigation began in November of 2022 and has led to 146 arrests.
We’ll keep you updated if we see anything else about this story.

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/29/drone-shop-arrested-georgia-prison-contraband/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week on Monday for the live!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 3 stories for you this week: DJI Dock 2 Release, Hylio gets approval for drone swarms, and DroneUp announces new delivery system.

First up is DJI’s new Dock 2.
The Dock 2 is a smaller more compact version of the DJI dock, with similar capabilities.
The Dock 2 is 75% smaller and 68% lighter than the Dock 1, and comes with two available aircraft.
DJI also released the Matrice 3D and 3DT with the Dock 2, allowing for nearly any mission to be completed using the Dock system.
The Matrice 3D is set up much like the Mavic 3 Enterprise, with a 4/3 CMOS wide camera and a 1/2” CMOS tele camera.
The Matrice 3DT mimics the Mavic 3 Enterprise Thermal, with a 1/1.32” CMOS wide camera, a 1/2” CMOS tele camera, and a 640x512 Thermal camera.
Batteries on both aircraft are advertised to last for 50 minutes and for 400 charge cycles.
DJI also advertised that the control of the docks was through US Based AWS servers for maximum security.
Let us know in the comments what you think about this new dock!

https://enterprise.dji.com/dock-2?site=enterprise&from=nav
https://dronexl.co/2024/03/26/dji-unveils-dock-2-automated-drone-ops/

Next up, Hylio has gotten approval to operate drone swarms!
Hylio makes several spray drones from small 2.5 gallon up to 18 gallon drones.
Prices range from $18,000 to $56,000 respectively, with additional accessories further increasing the price.
Hylio’s latest FAA approval allows them to operate several drones larger than 55lbs simultaneously.
It’s unclear the specifics of the waiver/authorization but this is a pretty huge breakthrough for those working in agriculture.

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/26/faa-green-light-agricultural-drone-swarms/

Last up is DroneUp.
DroneUp this week released a locker system, called the DBX, that will replace the operations centers currently in use.
The DBX acts as a location that a company can use to send packages out of, with a capacity of up to 50 packages per hour.
A drone then delivers the package to the customer and returns to a different location to either charge or to get a battery swap.
This allows a network of drones to operate from a “Hub” and pick up packages at stores and other locations to deliver to customers.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments!


https://www.droneup.com/introducing-the-droneup-ecosystem
https://dronexl.co/2024/03/26/droneup-autonomous-drone-delivery/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week on Monday for the live!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 3 stories for you this week: DJI Releases, AUVSI’s stance on Drone Bans, and an update on the man who flew over an NFL game in Maryland.

First up, DJI has a few rumors out for future releases!
The first is scheduled to come out on March 26th and is titled “Easy Operation, Superior Results”.
Leaks suggest this is most likely the DJI Dock 2, the Matrice 3D, and 3DT drones.
The Dock 2 and the new Matrice series drones popped up on the FCC database in February, but we haven’t seen any updates since then.
Rumors put the new dock at about $10,000 but don’t discuss the price of the drones.
Leaked specs include 50 minute flight times for Matrice 3D series, wind resistances up to 12 m/s (27 mph), and a maximum take off weight of 1610g.
Pretty cool for enterprise customers and public safety!

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/19/dji-dock-2-matrice-3d-drones-launch/

Our next story is about possible hidden agendas by AUVSI.

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/19/auvsi-real-stance-on-dji-drone-ban/

Last up this week is an update on the drone flyover of an NFL game earlier this year.
Matthew Hebert flew a drone over and around the stadium causing a delay during the first quarter of the game.
Police quickly located Hebert, who claimed ignorance of the TFR and relied on the drone’s remote control app for guidance.
Hebert cooperated fully with the investigation and was sentenced to one year of probation and a $500 fine.

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/17/drone-afc-championship-probation-fine-pennsylvania-man/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week on Monday for the live!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 4 stories for you this week: Remote ID enforcement begins, Bill to control airspace in Illinois Senate, St Louis Drone Bill update, and DJI Avata 2 Leaks.
First up the FAA’s deferred enforcement of remote ID ends this Saturday.
This means that remote ID is now required to operate any drone that is registered or needs to be registered.
If your drone doesn’t have remote ID, you can equip it using a broadcast module or you can fly it at a FRIA.
FRIA information is available in the UAS Facility maps or on Aloft Air aware.

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-extends-remote-id-enforcement-date-six-months

Next up is an update on the St Louis drone bill that would regulate airspace…
The bill has passed the city’s legislature and is now on the Mayor’s desk.
Like we previously covered, this bill limits commercial operators and attempts to control airspace, including airspace around emergency vehicles, schools, publicly owned buildings, and events.
If these laws are violated, a pilot faces fines and the confiscation of the drone.
This is a perfect example of a municipality over reacting to a proposed drone operation.
We’ll keep you updated if this becomes law.

https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/city-laws/upload/legislative/boardbills/committee-substitute-amended/BB199CSAA%20Combined%20Final%205.pdf


Third this week is an Illinois bill that would also control the airspace.
This bill would allocate the lowest 150’ to of airspace to be controlled by municipalities, who could create their own rules around “public” airspace.
If you’re in IL, please reach out to Senators Julie Morrison and Linda Holmes to let them know this bill goes against the FAA’s sole jurisdiction of the airspace.
It’s also interesting to note that this bill doesn’t specifically attempt to restrict UAS, but instead would apply to all aircraft.
Another one we’ll keep you updated on!


https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=2849&GAID=17&SessionID=112&LegID=151674

Ending on a better note, ther's leaks for the DJI Avata 2…
Leaded pictures show the Avata 2, which appears to be a streamlined and a bit thinner version of the original Avata.
With the leaked drone images come another set of DJI goggles with forward facing cameras, possibly to allow for an AR Experience.
Leaked specs for the Avata suggest a 1/1.3” CMOS Sensor, 155 degree FOV, f/2.8, and 4K 60/100/120.
Rumors say the drone will be about 480 grams and will fly for 27 minutes in normal/sport mode and 12-15 minutes in manual mode.
We’ll have to see what comes of these leaks!

https://dronexl.co/2024/03/10/dji-avata-2-goggles-3-specifications/

Alright, that’s it, have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week on Monday for the live!