Drone News – UAVAIR

As a rapidly growing industry, it is important to stay up to date about the latest developments that happen within the local and international drone industry. In this post, we share to you some of the most recent news that we believe are relevant to UAV pilots, trainers, operators and end-users alike.

AUSTRALIA

1. Will farmers be allowed to use drones beyond ‘line of sight’?

The short answer: They can, but it requires them to apply for an exemption from CASA which can be a complex and in-depth process, and will likely require a detailed risk assessment, prepared in accordance with ISO AS/NZS 31000:2009 risk management principles and guidelines. (28 October 2016)

2. PrecisionHawk to launch its first office in Australia. New Sydney office will provide industries including agriculture, environmental protection and energy with the full-stack, aerial imaging platform being widely used in the United States, Latin America and Europe. (25 October 2016)

3. CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority), the aviation regulator, is supporting a trial, using remotely controlled drones (Angel Drones) for dispatching all kinds of medical supplies to even the remotest corners of the continent. (25 October 2016)

4. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) began trialling the use of unmanned aerial vehicles at accident sites in a bid to cut costs and improve the safety of its staff. Along with use in aviation-related cases, the organisation is also looking to use drones as part of its maritime and rail investigations. (24 October 2016)

5. With a number of WA’s biggest businesses relying on unmanned drones to reduce surveying and inspection costs, new schools are teaching drone pilots how to fly. (20 October 2016)

6. Drone-maker DJI has partnered with UAV software company Propeller Aero to launch an integrated solution to reduce costs, improve safety and drive operational efficiency in the construction and mining industries. (19 October 2016)

7. Following concern that Australia’s new laxed drone regulations will lead to a spike in accidents, Independent senator Nick Xenophon has announced a plan to disallow the changes that were put in place only weeks ago. (19 October 2016)

8. The State’s booming drone industry will be on display at Australia’s first ever dedicated Drone Festival at Lauderdale Primary School. (13 October 2016)

9. Australian Government to lead safety review into drone usage rules, to be overseen by CASA. The review comes following a decision by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ease licence regulations on unmanned drones as of 29 September, which removed the requirement for commercial operators of lightweight drones to hold a licence, in the name of “cutting red tape”. (10 October 2016)

INTERNATIONAL

1. Projected revenues from drone sales to top $12 billion in 2021, up from just over $8 billion in 2015. (27 October 2016)

2. Sweden’s Supreme Administrative Court has overturned a lower court decision and banned drones with cameras unless pilots obtain a “special surveillance permit”. (27 October 2016)

3. Intel released its first commercial drone earlier this month, that could be priced at anywhere north of $30,000. (26 October 2016)

4. Agriculture already leads the market for commercial drone usage, and it is expected to generate $350 million in drone revenue in 2025. The new regulations will make it easier for American farmers to use drones to check fields for disease, spray fertilizer, or watch over livestock. (21 October 2016)

5. Following the recent release of the Hero5, GoPro will release Karma which will likely be able to grab some market share from DJI, propelling GoPro back into profitability. (18 October 2016)