Drone News – Week 5

While more and more processes, systems and industries benefit from the use of UAV technology, regulating airspace continues to become a challenge for drone users and operators. Read on to find out more about this week’s highlights.

AUSTRALIA

1. With more than 30 local professionals trained to operate unmanned aerial vehicles, Townsville is perfectly poised to lead the way in providing cutting-edge resources to police, according to a drone expert. (November 24)

Read more: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/townsville-ideal-place-to-lead-the-push-for-police-drones-expert-says/news-story/888354e2e6ed40f5aff167ce0f438f74

 

2. UPDATE: Dubbed the ‘Lifesaver in the Sky’, Surf Life Saving WA is set to take beach patrols to new heights with the commencement of a two-month drone patrol trial. Starting on December 5, the trial will involve four drones taking to the skies to capture live pictures of the ocean so lifesavers can check for dangers such as sharks and rips. (November 24)

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/surf-life-saving-wa-launch-drone-trial-to-keep-swimmers-safe/news-story/ed84cc5959c75351399a046064712277

INTERNATIONAL

1. A website offering advice to owners of drones has been set up by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) following a number of near-misses with aircraft. (November 24)

Read more: https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2016/11/civil-aviation-authority-sets-up-drone-advice-website-following-near-misses/

2. Researchers have created a hypothetical network of drones across Ontario that would deliver life-saving defibrillators to those experiencing cardiac arrest. (November 24)

Read more: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/6985620-u-of-t-researchers-study-network-to-send-drones-to-those-in-cardiac-arrest/

 

3. Finland’s Defence Forces have confirmed sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones flying over military areas and even military exercises. In some cases the military has contacted drone operators to inspect possible footage recorded. (November 23)

Read more: http://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/defence_forces_confirm_sightings_of_unidentified_drones_near_military_zones_and_drills/9315070

4. Correspondence between Amazon and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which regulates drone flying in the UK, shows that Amazon has been testing drones in UK airspace since summer 2015. It was previously believed that Amazon only began testing drones in UK airspace in the summer of 2016. (November 22)

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com.au/amazon-drones-tested-uk-for-longer-than-thought-2016-11

5. UPDATE: Government drone regulations nearly killed Disney Holiday Light Display— received special treatment from the FAA in the form of a waiver exempting it from the regulations previously listed. (November 22)

Read more: http://dailysignal.com/2016/11/22/government-drone-regulations-nearly-killed-disney-holiday-light-display/

6. Researcher aims to maximize the capabilities of drones regardless of platform or environmental conditions, pushing boundaries of drone control for extreme conditions. (Texas Tech University) (November 22)

Read more: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161122121952.htm