New Products!

Some new and exciting products have been announced and will be available soon! Sure to be a great addition to anyones collection is the new Blade Nano QX 3D. The Nano 3D will be available as a RTF or a BNF, and has the ability to fly inverted. The 3 flight modes allow for even a novice to fly the quad, and the spektrum receiver makes for experienced pilots to bind their previous transmitters. The nano is expected to be out late February/Early March.

Another new item that has received a new look is the new DX7 and DX18. The DX7 has added a 250 model memory to its capabilities as well as a wireless trainer link, voice alerts and a backlit LCD screen. The DX18 stealth edition not only has a new look, but also includes a protective carrying case. Keep your eyes open for these new transmitters that are due to be out within the next month.

French Theme park to use 50 drones for show

Puy du Fou, the second largest theme park in french will soon be adding drones to their casting call to their famous Cinescenie night show. The show is already claimed to be the largest night show in the world, but now they are hoping to create the biggest sky chandelier in the world with 50 flying drones.

The show is known to be big and over the to, but the team had been searching for a way to go to new heights. That is when the engineers teamed up with ACT lighting design to develop the drone chandelier concept. The team has been working on the drone, named the Neopter, for 2 years and the drone is able to carry over 6 pounds. Not only does it have a heavier payload than many drones it is also capable of flying in the wind and rain, as well as being able to take off from land or water. 

Week of Drone Crashes; Phantom Crashes in White House Grounds, Drug Drone Crashes in Parking Lot

A DJI Phantom reportedly crashed into the white house grounds around 3 a.m. this morning. The incident caused a lock down of the perimeter, but around 9 a.m. this morning a individual self reported that they had been in control of the unit before the crash. The quad did not have a camera on it at the time of crash, and was determined that although it is Illegal to fly anything in the restricted airspace there was no immediate threat ant the area was cleared in a matter of hours. The individual was later discovered to be a government employee.  

In other news, a six propeller remote controlled aircraft that was carrying six packets of methamphetamine crashed into a supermarket parking lot in a bordering Mexico city. The drone appears to have been attempting to smuggle more than six pounds of drugs across the border to California. Currently the event is being investigated, but at this time the authorities have no leads on where the flight originated or who was the pilot. 

These recent stories are a good reminder that flying safely is and needs to be a top priority. 

Colin Guinn Testifes In Congress

Earlier this week 3D Robotic's Colin Guinn testified to congress why the FAA should integrate and allow usage of small drones. The basis of Colin Guinn's testimony was that the small drones don't pose a serious public safety hazard. By opening the airspace to the drones that are weighing under 2 kg could open endless commercial applications and bring untold benefits to the economy. Not only would this be opening the door to drone pilots, but also allow the FAA to gain access to thousands of hours of flight data, helping better determine the integration of larger drones. During the hearing a Bebop drone was also safely flown around, possibly a first for capital hill?

Even with all the positive potential for drones, they still remain in a legal limbo. Currently the use of drones for hobbyists are available with no permit required, but to use them for non- recreational purposes authorization from the FAA is required. This has caused some U.S. companies to move jobs over seas, to countries that have already developed necessary rules. Currently the FAA states that the agency's main focus is to get it right, and have no date to share on when the regulatory work may be finished.




To see all of Colin Guinn's testimony follow this link.

What happens when your DJI Phantom battery fails in flight?

Drone pilot's quick thinking saves the day at the last minute!

 

It might be a better idea to manage the power and land when the lights start blinking red, but this newbie pilot saved his drone from a water landing at the last minute! At least it landed away from people! Great Save!

Still No Date From The FAA - Commerical Drone Rules

'No Date' For UAS Rules

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory told an Indianapolis television station "there is now apparently no firm deadline."

The FAA is now saying it doesn't know when proposed rules governing the commercial use of small unmanned aerial systems will be ready for publication. Congress has set a deadline for the agency to map out the integration of UAS lighter than 55 pounds by next September and it was widely speculated that something would be ready for public discussion by the end of 2014.  FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory told an Indianapolis television station there is now apparently no firm deadline. "We are continuing to work with our administration colleagues to finish the rule. I am sorry to say I do not have a date for you," Cory said in an email to WISH. Leaked copies of the working draft of the rules sparked widespread criticism a month ago, particularly the proposed requirement that commercial UAS operators have pilot certificates for manned aircraft. Meanwhile, the agency continues to hand out exemptions for UAS use.
 
The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is the latest to get an exemption and will use two UAS to look for standing water in remote areas that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The district's executive director, Michael Doyle, told The Associated Press that the aircraft will fly between Key Largo and Sugarloaf Key and stay at least five miles away from airports.

Article Original Source: AvWeb