Watch Post Flight on our Community site 👉 https://bit.ly/premium-drone-communityWelcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have 4 stories for you: A swimmer rescued by a fisherman’s drone, Kyle Nordfors awarded at the Global Search and Rescue Excellence Awards, and Pierce Aerospace partners with MITRE for remote ID research.
And first up this week, a real-world drones-for-good story that really shows you the versatility of these machines! Out in Pensacola, Florida, on May 15th, shark fisherman Andrew Smith found himself in a true life-or-death situation. He’d only been at a new fishing spot for about ten minutes when a girl ran up, screaming for help – another girl was drowning, caught in a dangerous rip current. Now, Andrew has a seizure disorder, which meant he couldn't safely swim out to her himself. He saw the girl getting pulled further away, already struggling for about five minutes, and knew time was absolutely critical.Andrew typically uses his drone for fishing, specifically to position bait, because his medical condition makes using kayaks unsafe. He attached a nearby flotation device to his drone. His first attempt, he told CBS12, was incredibly nerve-wracking: “I was shaking pretty badly... I almost cried.” In the stress of the moment, he released the device too early, and it missed. But he didn't give up. A bystander quickly provided a second flotation device. This time, Andrew flew the drone out slowly and deliberately, carefully lowering it to the struggling girl. He saw her reach for it, released the device, and she grabbed on, able to stay afloat! It reportedly took first responders another five minutes to arrive on scene. Local authorities, including police, EMS, and lifeguards, apparently told Andrew that if his second attempt had failed, "she wouldn’t have made it." Andrew, If you’re watching this and you want to learn more about drones, send us an email and we’ll get you signed up for a free course of your choosing. Next up, Captain Kyle Nordfors, who’s a UAS pilot with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office in Utah, snagged the Unsung Hero Award. And let me tell you, what he’s doing with drones in Search and Rescue is nothing short of revolutionary. He’s using drones equipped with thermal imaging and high-resolution cameras to transform searches that used to take hours, or even days, into operations that can be wrapped up in minutes. We're talking about covering vast areas, sometimes several square miles, in really rugged terrain with elevation changes exceeding 5,000 feet! Shout out to our good friend Kyle, keep up the good work! Third, Pierce Aerospace and MITRE have announced they're officially joining forces. They've signed what’s called a memorandum of understanding – basically a formal agreement – to advance UAS and remote identification for more complex missions. This is a pretty big deal because, as you know, Remote ID is a critical piece of the puzzle for integrating drones safely and securely into our national airspace. Without robust Remote ID, moving forward with more advanced operations gets a LOT trickier.https://www.pierceaerospace.net/blogs/news/pierce-aerospace-and-mitre-partner-to-advance-remote-id-research-and-developmenthttps://dronexl.co/2025/05/19/nordfors-global-search-rescue-excellence-awards/https://dronexl.co/2025/05/20/drone-rescue-girl-drowning/
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week.
First, DJI teases the Mavic 4 Pro, and we have a release date!
Second, a heartwarming story out of Michigan where a thermal drone played a key role in saving a 74-year-old woman.
Third, we've got more DJI news with a leaked launch window for the Mini 5 Pro.
And finally, a drone reportedly crashed while attempting to smuggle contraband into a South Carolina prison.
First up this week, DJI is at it again, officially teasing the upcoming Mavic 4 Pro! They dropped a "Spin Your World" teaser and, in a bit of a surprise move for DJI, actually showed the drone itself in the teaser. This is probably because, let's be honest, the leaks have been coming for months now. The official launch is slated for May 13th, so mark your calendars!
Next up, we have a fantastic real-world drones-for-good story coming out of Michigan! A 74-year-old woman who experienced a vehicle fire got lost in the woods without her phone last month. She sought shelter under a tree and endured 27 degrees temperatures, along with rain and winds, less than 450 feet from where her vehicle burned. It’s unclear when searching began, but the woman was located alive, and too frozen to move, 3 days after going missing by a Mason County Sheriff’s thermal drone. Great use of the drone to save a life!
And in our third story this week, more news from the DJI rumor mill! It looks like the DJI Mini 5 Pro might be on the horizon, with a potential launch window now pointing towards September 2025. This information comes via trusted X leaker HakaSushi (hah-kah-SOO-shee), who apparently confirmed an earlier rumor from Jasper Ellens at DroneXL. So, while it's still a ways off, the anticipation is definitely building. The Mini series, as you know, has been incredibly popular. This is especially true for those of us who want a capable drone that stays under that 250-gram weight limit, avoiding a lot of registration hassles in many places. Speculation on improvements includes changes to the sensor size, enhanced obstacle avoidance, better wind resistance, or even longer flight times.
Let us know in the comments what features YOU'D like to see in a Mini 5 Pro!
And finally this week, your “Don’t be that guy” segment. Reports indicate that a drone crashed while allegedly attempting to smuggle contraband, specifically methamphetamines, into a prison in South Carolina. Details about the specific type of drone or the quantity of contraband involved haven't been widely released yet, and the investigation is likely ongoing. Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. We've covered stories like this before. Correctional facilities around the world are increasingly battling attempts to use drones to deliver drugs, cell phones, weapons, and other illegal items over prison walls. It's a serious security concern, and it highlights the 'cat and mouse' game being played between those trying to exploit the technology for criminal purposes and the authorities working to stop them. Don’t be that guy, and for anyone watching that is thinking about doing this: These facilities have Drone detection systems. They will find you and they will catch you, so just don’t.
Alright, that’s all for this week. We have the live Q and A on Monday and in post-flight on Monday in the premium community, so we'll see you then.
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, DJI officially ends the Phantom line, SiFly releases the Q250 and Q12, more leaks surface about the potential DJI Mavic 4, and researchers develop a 'flying squirrel' drone with foldable wings.
first up this week, it's the end of an era for one of the most iconic drone series ever. DJI has officially announced the retirement of its Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced drones. It set the standard for prosumer drones for years. It's a bit sad to see the Phantom line go, but technology marches on. We've seen DJI focus heavily on the Mavic, Air, and Mini series for consumers and prosumers, and the Matrice line for enterprise. So, while the Phantom might be taking its final flight into the sunset, its legacy in shaping our drone industry is undeniable. Pour one out for the Phantom!Next up, SiFly has released the Q12, a medium-sized, long-endurance aircraft. The Q12 offers a two-hour continuous hover, three-hour forward flight time, and 90-mile range while carrying a 10lb payload. SiFly also released the Q250, a heavy-lift drone with a 200lb payload and a 100-minute endurance. Both of these look like pretty cool drones with maybe the best flight times we've seen from a multi-rotor. Also, both drones are NDAA compliant, making them a possible replacement for those entities that require compliant aircraft. Specifics on battery, connection link, and available payloads aren't currently available. We'll keep you updated if we see more about the SiFly Q250 or the Q12!Now for another DJI story, the rumor mill is churning again, this time about the potential DJI Mavic 4. According to Jasper Ellens, the Mavic 4 is becoming, in his words, "the world's most leaked drone." Recent reports suggest leaked promotional images, potential pricing details, and even photos of the retail boxes have surfaced online. Now, take this all with a grain of salt, as these are just leaks. One particularly interesting tidbit is the mention of a possible new controller, the RC Pro 2, which might feature a vertical screen. A vertical screen could be interesting for how information is displayed, maybe better for certain types of flight data, or even social media integration, who knows? Along with the leaks, there was a list of supposedly cancelled features, including no Pro Res, no electronic ND filters at launch, and no RC Track, which, for those who may not remember, is the rumored tracking beacon.And last up this week, we have a cool research story out of South Korea. Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology, or POSTECH, have developed a drone inspired by flying squirrels! This isn't your typical quadcopter. It features foldable wings designed to give it significantly more agility, especially when it comes to braking or making sharp turns mid-air. You know how quadcopters can feel a bit floaty sometimes when stopping? The idea here is that these foldable wings can deploy rapidly to act like air brakes, allowing for much quicker deceleration than propellers alone can manage. This mimics how a flying squirrel uses its membranes to glide and maneuver. Or the ornithopter in Dune... While it's still in the research phase, this kind of bio-inspired design is fascinating. It pushes the boundaries beyond standard drone configurations and could potentially lead to drones that can navigate complex environments much more effectively. https://dronexl.co/2025/04/29/flying-squirrel-drone-foldable-wings/https://dronexl.co/2025/04/26/dji-mavic-4-canceled-features-rc-pro-2/https://dronexl.co/2025/04/27/drones-drop-super-clams-florida-indian-river/https://dronexl.co/2025/04/29/dji-phantom-4-takes-final-flight/
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, a controversial Texas bill aims to ban certain drones for public safety use. Second, Florida considers a bill allowing "reasonable force" against drones over private property. Third, Oregon passes stricter penalties for drone interference with emergency responders. And finally, SkyeBrowse and Paladin partner for real-time 3D modeling in DFR programs.
And first up this week, let's talk about Texas House Bill 41. This proposed legislation aims to ban certain drones, primarily those manufactured in China, claiming it's to protect Texas from foreign technology risks. However, this bill is facing MAJOR pushback, especially from the public safety community in Texas. At a recent hearing, firefighters, police, and search and rescue professionals testified AGAINST the bill because it risks removing critical tools they rely on daily. Furthermore, there's the practical side. US drone manufacturers currently can't produce the needed drones at scale or cost effectively to replace the existing fleets immediately. HB41 could force agencies to scrap perfectly good, effective equipment within five years, potentially wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on more expensive, less capable, and less reliable alternatives. We've already seen examples where drones that would be banned under HB41 saved lives or helped solve major crimes in Texas. This bill feels less about security and more like protectionism that could seriously hamper public safety efforts. It’s passed committee but needs to clear the House Calendars Committee for a full vote. If you're in Texas, the Drone Advocacy Alliance has resources, and contacting the Calendars Committee directly is crucial.Next up, if you're flying in Florida, you'll want to pay close attention to Senate Bill 1422. This bill is advancing through the state legislature and could allow homeowners to use "reasonable force" to stop drones they believe are conducting surveillance over their property below 500 feet. Now, this builds on Florida's existing Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act, and it seems fueled by privacy concerns, like reports of insurance companies using drones for home inspections. We all value privacy, but this bill raises some serious red flags.The Oregon House unanimously passed House Bill 3426, which significantly bumps up the penalties if you *intentionally* interfere with firefighters, law enforcement, or search and rescue using a drone, it's now potentially a Class C felony. That could mean up to 5 years in prison and a $125,000 fine! Even *unintentional* interference is now a Class B misdemeanor, carrying up to 6 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. That's a pretty steep penalty for potentially not knowing better.Typically between 100 and 500 feet, making any unauthorized drone in the area a serious collision hazard. Grounding air support, even for a short time, can have devastating consequences during a fire or rescue operation.Tools like geofencing can help, but ultimately, responsible flying and checking for TFRs before every flight is critical. This bill still needs Senate approval, but its unanimous House passage shows strong support. It's a serious reminder: DON'T fly near emergencies. Period. As always, please don't be that guy.
First up, Senate Bill 1249 in Congress proposes to change how navigable airspace is defined, and would give the first 200 feet above the ground to states and private property owners.
This bill also gives mandatory standoff distances from structures, including 200' laterally and 50 feet over the top of structures. Sadly, this is not a new idea. 5 years, we spent a significant amount of time fighting something similar proposed by the Uniform Law Commission (or ULC) proposed the same before being shut down.
This is obviously a terrible idea and is proposed by a US Senator Mike Lee from Utah, who has a history of proposing bills that would severely limit UAS operations.
Please reach out to your senators and representatives, as this affects ALL UAS operators, including drones, model airplanes, FPV, and helicopters.
Next up this week, some news for recreational flyers who fly at the Academy of Model Aeronautics, or AMA, club sites. The AMA announced they've secured a National Authorization that allows members flying at designated club sites within Class G airspace to operate above the standard 400-foot Above Ground Level, or AGL, limit for routine flying. Depending on the specific site's location and assessment within Class G, the new authorized altitude limit could be up to 700 feet AGL, or even 1,200 feet AGL.
Third up, DJI has expanded its enterprise payload lineup with two new accessories aimed at public safety and inspection users. They've launched the Zenmuse S1 Spotlight and the Zenmuse V1 Speaker. The S1 Spotlight is designed for the Matrice 300 RTK and Matrice 350 RTK platforms. It's a high-intensity light source with an effective illumination range of up to 150 meters, or about 492 feet. It features adjustable brightness levels and can synchronize its angle with the gimbal's pitch movements, keeping the light focused where the camera is looking, which is pretty neat. Then there's the Zenmuse V1 Speaker, which is compatible with the Matrice 300 and 350 series drones. This isn't your average Bluetooth speaker; it boasts a maximum volume of 120 decibels and an effective range of about 100 meters, or 328 feet, at a more typical 75 decibels. It supports text-to-speech conversion, audio storage, and real-time playback, making it useful for broadcasting instructions or warnings during emergencies. These kinds of accessories really enhance the utility of these enterprise platforms for first responders and inspection teams.
And finally this week, ParaZero, known for their drone safety systems, has launched the SafeAir M4 parachute recovery system, specifically designed for the DJI Matrice 4 series drones. ParaZero's Press release says the SafeAir M4 meets the requirements of the ASTM F3322-22 standard for parachutes used in Operations Over People, or OOP.
https://dronexl.co/2025/04/16/dji-launches-zenmuse-s1-spotlight-and-zenmuse-v1-speaker-for-enterprise-drones/
https://dronexl.co/2025/04/15/parazero-launches-safeair-m4-drone-parachute-system/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1249/text/is?format=txt&overview=closed
https://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2025/04/15/flying-sites-in-class-g-airspace-granted-higher-altitudes/?_gl=1*1uaan0o*_gcl_au*NzU5NzI5MTc0LjE3NDQ5MDM2MzA.&_ga=2.207238160.221137029.1744903630-1851979334.1744903630
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have 4 stories for you this week. Zipline expands its drone delivery service into Texas through a partnership with Walmart, NASA is developing a new system designed to predict drone hazards before they happen, Pierce Aerospace has deployed drone detectors to the US Border, and BRINC raises $75m.
First up this week, Zipline is bringing its drone delivery service to the Dallas area, starting in Mesquite, Texas. This expansion comes through a partnership with retail giant Walmart. Customers in the service area can now sign up to get orders delivered in about 30 minutes using Zipline's latest drone model, the P2 Zip.The drone can carry payloads up to eight pounds within a 10-mile radius. Zipline boasts about their precision, claiming "dinner plate-level" accuracy, meaning they can land a package on a space as small as a doorstep or a small table. The P2 Zip uses both lift and cruise propellers and has a fixed-wing design, which helps it fly quietly and handle gusts of wind up to 45 miles per hour, even in the rain.The delivery process is interesting: the P2 Zip hovers around 300 feet up, then lowers a smaller container, called the 'delivery zip,' on a tether. This smaller unit uses fan-like thrusters to maneuver precisely into place before gently setting the package down. Both parts use cameras, sensors, and Nvidia chips to navigate and avoid obstacles.Next up, NASA is working on making drone flights safer with an advanced software system designed to predict potential airborne hazards *before* they actually occur. It's called the In-Time Aviation Safety Management System, or IASMS for short. The main idea behind IASMS is real-time risk assessment. Instead of just reacting when something goes wrong, like a loss of navigation or communication, the system aims to anticipate these kinds of threats and alert drone operators ahead of time.Michael Vincent from NASA’s Langley Research Center put it simply, saying the system ideally works unnoticed in the background, only intervening right before an unusual situation might arise. NASA has been putting IASMS through its paces. Back on March 5th, they ran extensive simulations at the Ames Research Center. These focused on complex scenarios like hurricane relief missions involving multiple drones doing things like beyond-visual-line-of-sight supply drops and inspections.Next up, Pierce Aerospace just announced a partnership with a company called Skylark Labs, bringing some next-level drone detection tech to the US-Mexico border and beyond. Basically, they've put Pierce's YR1 Remote ID Sensor and other drone detection sensors on Skylark's 100-foot Scout Tower, alongside this tech they are calling "Superintelligence AI."What makes this setup special is that the AI actually learns in real-time from the data it collects in the field, rather than relying on pre-programmed stuff that might be outdated. The system can detect, track, and identify drones and other potential threats, giving border security and law enforcement a much better picture of what's happening both in the air and on the ground. Last up, Seattle-based drone manufacturer BRINC secured $75m in new funding and announced a strategic alliance with Motorola Solutions. The alliance integrates BRINC drones with Motorola's APX radios, VESTA 911 call management systems, Computer Aided Dispatch, and Real-Time Crime Center Software. This means that drones could get dispatched automatically.Join us later for happy hour in the community. We are also BACK for the live Q&A on Monday after a 3-week hiatus due to the move and travel. Post-flight is also back on Monday in the premium community as well. So we'll see you then.https://dronexl.co/2025/04/06/nasa-drone-safety-hazard-detection/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/08/drone-delivery-startup-zipline-expands-to-texas-with-walmart.htmlhttp://pierceaerospace.net/
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have three stories for you this week. First, DJI takes the Department of Defense to court over its "Chinese Military Company" label. Second, the popular DJI Mini 4 Pro gets a huge update enabling third-party app support. And third, drones play a crucial role in rescuing two lost teenagers in Colorado.
First up this week, DJI is pushing back legally against the U.S. Department of Defense. On March 14th, DJI filed a motion in federal court challenging the DoD's designation of the company as a “Chinese Military Company,” or CMC. This label comes under Section 1260H of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which targets companies supposedly linked to China's military. DJI argues this designation, first applied in October 2022 and reaffirmed this past January that it is arbitrary, lacks substantial evidence, and harms its business significantly. The company points to terminated contracts and state-level restrictions in places like Florida and Arkansas that limit or ban the use of their drones by public agencies. DJI is asking the court to declare the DoD’s actions unlawful and remove them from the CMC list. They claim the DoD ignored a detailed delisting petition submitted last July and failed to provide public justification for the listing as required by recent amendments. DJI contests the DoD's claims about state ownership, stating that its founder and early investors hold the vast majority of stock and voting rights, with state-owned entities having minimal shares. They also dispute the idea that having a National Enterprise Technology Center status links them to the military, noting companies like Volkswagen also hold this civilian-focused status. Next up, there's some exciting news for DJI Mini 4 Pro owners. DJI has released a major update to its Mobile SDK, that's the Software Development Kit, specifically version 5. This update now includes support for the Mini 4 Pro, which is a pretty big deal. What this means is that third-party developers can now create apps that work directly with your Mini 4 Pro. We're talking about popular apps like Litchi, DroneDeploy, and Drone Harmony potentially offering features like advanced flight automation, custom waypoint missions, and better mapping capabilities. This really unlocks some pro-level functionality for a drone that weighs under 250 grams. Now, there's one important catch you need to know. To use these third-party apps via the MSDK, you *must* be using the DJI RC-N2 controller – that’s the one that uses your smartphone as the screen. Unfortunately, the DJI RC 2 controller, the one with the built-in screen, doesn't have MSDK support enabled for the Mini 4 Pro at this time. DJI hasn't said if or when that might change. This update also added MSDK support for the professional Matrice 4D cinematography drone and the Matrice 4TD industrial drone. Next up this week, a great story showing drones in action saving lives. Two teenagers got lost while hiking near Carpenter Peak in Colorado's Roxborough State Park last Saturday evening. They did the right thing: they called 911 and stayed put. Douglas County Search and Rescue, along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, responded around 8:30 p.m. As ground crews started hiking in, the DCSAR drone team lead, Darren Keralla, launched a drone. Despite windy conditions, the drone quickly located the teens, who were flashing a light while sheltering under trees. Using the drone's GPS data (lat/long), rescuers could pinpoint their exact location, streamlining the effort. It’s another fantastic example of how drones are becoming invaluable tools for search and rescue operations. https://kdvr.com/news/local/2-lost-teenagers-rescued-with-drone-aid-at-roxborough-state-park/https://dronedj.com/2025/03/21/dji-mini-4-pro-msdk/https://dronexl.co/2025/03/21/dji-court-chinese-military-company-label/
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. We have four stories for you this week. First, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro's launch date, specs, and pricing have been leaked. Second, a research team developed a battery that lets drones fly in extreme cold. Third, a missing woman in Wisconsin was found quickly, thanks to a drone. And finally, President Trump nominates a new FAA Administrator.
And first up this week, we have exciting leaked information about the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. According to sources, the drone is set to launch on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. Expect an official teaser from DJI around April 17th. This is pretty much in line with previous leaks, giving us confidence in this date.The Mavic 4 Pro will boast three cameras with focal lengths of 28mm, 70mm, and 168mm. That's 2.5x and 6x which is slightly different from the current 3x/7x configuration. It will reportedly record in 6K, with a larger sensor than the Mavic 3, promising even better image quality. The gimbal is getting a major redesign, with 360-degree multidirectional movement. An unexpected feature... The Mavic 4 Pro will reportedly feature an electronic ND filter system so no more carrying ND filters around. If that is true, I will be impressed!DJI is claiming a flight time of 52 minutes. As far as charging: three batteries in only 90 minutes, aligning with the leaked 240W charger specs. And it looks like a new controller is coming – the DJI RC Pro 2, featuring a 7-inch tilting touchscreen.Price-wise, the leaks suggest the Mavic 4 Pro with the DJI RC2 will be $2,250. The Fly More Combo with the RC2 is priced at $3,200. And the top-tier 512GB Creator Combo, including the new DJI RC Pro 2 Controller, will cost you $4,400. Next up, a research team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has made a breakthrough in battery technology. They've successfully flown a hexacopter drone in temperatures as low as -32.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or -36 degrees Celsius. This is a big deal because standard lithium-ion batteries struggle in extreme cold, often losing 30% to 50% of their capacity.This new battery, however, retains over 90% of its nominal capacity at -40 degrees Fahrenheit, with endurance loss under 10%. Beyond drones, this tech could also benefit electric vehicles and remote power stations.And in our third story, a real-world drones-for-good story! In Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, a 59-year-old woman was quickly located by a drone after ground searches failed. She had been outdoors for about three hours and was unable to stand. Rescuers reached her within one minute of detection, just before a storm rolled in. The interesting part here is that the Wisconsin Rapids Police Department didn't own the drone. They relied on Wings of Hope, a non-profit organization. This highlights the financial challenges many smaller departments face in acquiring this life-saving technology. As we see affordable drones becoming harder to get because of regulation, this might prevent small departments from getting ANY drones at all.Finally, this week, the White House nominated Bryan Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, to head the Federal Aviation Administration. Bedford, a pilot with over 30 years of experience, faces significant challenges if confirmed. These include decisions on Boeing 737 MAX production, approval of new 737 variants, and addressing a shortage of approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers.https://dronexl.co/2025/03/19/dji-mavic-4-pro-launch-date-features-prices/https://dronexl.co/2025/03/17/chinas-breakthrough-battery-powers-drone/https://dronexl.co/2025/03/17/drone-missing-woman-wisconsin-rapids/https://transportation.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408316#:~:text=Joint%20statement%20of%20Transportation%20and,Administrator%20of%20the%20Federal%20Aviation
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; Ascent AeroSystems releases the Helius, Blue UAS and Framework Changes, a Big SkyeBrowse Update, and Skydio sends Tracking Mailers to Police Department.
First up, Ascent Aerosystems has released the HELIUS!This is a 249, coaxial system that mimics the design of the much larger Spirit. According to Ascent’s website, this is an all weather, NDAA Compliant, aircraft with features like 4G LTE connectivity, 4K gimbaled camera, 45 MPH top speed, and 30+ minute endurance! The HELIUS is available for preorder and is priced at $4,499.Preorder can be placed through either Ascent AeroSystems OR Robinson Helicopter Company dealers, with deliveries occurring in Q4 of this year.The Blue List has had some significant changes! Several drones and manufacturers have been removed and a few have been added. Removed drones include: The AgEagle Ebee, Ascent Aerosystems Spirit, Blue Halo IE-V2, HoveryTech Spectre, Inspired Flight IF1200A and IF800, Parrot Anafi UAS GOV and MIL, Vantage Viper, and the Wingtra One Gen II. These aircraft are no longer on the Blue UAS List, which is a bit concerning.It’s unclear WHY these aircraft were removed, but raises some serious questions, such as: Do these aircraft have data security issues? What happens to all the departments who have been forced to purchase aircraft that are Blue UAS and have now been removed? We’re not sure. On the other side, a few drones were added, the FlightWave Edge130, HoverFly Technologies Spectre (Possibly a rebrand of the Hovery Tech), and the Zone5 Paladin. Along with these, Pierce Aerospace B1 also was added to the Blue List, though the parts side rather than the aircraft side of the list.We’ll keep you up to date if we see more! Next up, Skydio appears to have sent marketing materials with tracking ability to Police Departments. As reported by DroneXL, a Sergeant from a large California police department revealed that promotional materials from Skydio appeared to have embedded tracking and a 4/5G SIM card.This was found after the device was disassembled by the department’s forensic analysis lab.The marketing material in question comes from a company called “MARC Media”, who confirmed that each device integrates a screen, pause and play buttons, navigation, and a “Call to action button”. The device has a 9 month battery life and tracks things like interactions, use of the call to action button, and even the location of the device.Skydio came under fire for this due to their stance as being the “secure alternative” and citing risks of “data collection” by other manufacturers. The Sergeant stated “In addition to [privacy and security] concerns I found it ethically concerning because Skydio has been a strong proponent of data security and data safety but then did the thing they accused other UAS manufacturers of doing,”Not a great look for Skydio. Last up, Skyebrowse has another big update! There are several things to talk about here, starting with Pocket AI.This is a function that turns an image into a 3D model using AI. It’s free for everyone, so give it a try and potentially win a year of Skyebrowse Lite! Skyebrowse also released model merging and Workspace images. Model merging allows you to link other models to connect multiple scenes within a workspace, again, available for everyone! Workspace images function similarly, and allow public safety to attach photos to the 3D model so that anyone who sees the images can also see the photos. https://dronexl.co/2025/03/10/skydio-tracking-mailers-security-concerns/https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas/frameworkhttps://dronexl.co/2025/03/06/major-shakeup-blue-suas-list/#google_vignettehttps://ascentaerosystems.com/introducing-helius/
A sad first story, the industry pioneer and public safety visionary Romeo Durscher has sadly passed away.Romeo was a pioneer of drones for public safety, with the mantra "Drones for good".He worked for DJI, as their Director of Public Safety Integration, where he led and assisted departments getting started with drones.In 2018, the Camp Fire in California destroyed an entire town.Romeo led 15 drone teams to create high-definition maps of over 17,000 acres in days, saying “After Santa Rosa, I thought I’d seen it all. Then came Paradise… It’s beyond what one could imagine.”This was just one of many ways Romeo helped to cultivate drones is public safety.Romeo then moved from DJI to Auterion, pushing interchangeably to ensure public safety could use the best tool for their mission.Earlier this year, Romeo was given the Law Enforcement Drone Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also named one of the 25 most influential people in the drone industry and given the Golden Medal from the Estonian Chamber of Commerce.Haye, from DroneXL, put it best: "Romeo Durscher’s passing leaves a void, but his vision soars on. The drone industry stands at a crossroads—poised for growth, yet challenged by regulation and ethics. Romeo showed us the way: technology must serve purpose, not profit alone."Next up, a Texas bill would allow drones to be shot down if flown over private property.There are several things wrong with this bill, starting with 18 USC 32.This law protects civil aircraft, both in the air and on the ground."Whoever willfully—(1)sets fire to, damages, destroys, disables, or wrecks any aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used, operated, or employed in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce......shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both."We also know how bad people are at identifying aircraft, with several of the NJ "drones" actually being airliners.And not to mention, what goes up must come down.If you're in Texas, please reach out to your state legislature and let them know this is a BAD idea.Next up, Mavic 4 Leaks!DroneXL and Jasper Ellens is reporting a new rumor that the Mavic 4 may be able to roll its gimbal up to 180 degreens in both directions. You heard that right, ROLL. This would mean you could take native vertical with all lenses and even upside down video.This would make quite an interesting function that we haven't seen on small drones.Well have to wait and see!We'll see your for the Monday live next week, no Friday live, it's finally time to move into our new building!https://dronexl.co/2025/03/05/dji-mavic-4-pro-vertical-and-beyond/https://dronexl.co/2025/03/05/romeo-durscher-drone-visionary-good/https://thetexan.news/issues/second-amendment/texas-bill-would-allow-property-owners-to-shoot-down-trespassing-drones/article_7a86e40e-f2f0-11ef-8321-33c28a01e369.html
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; DJI launches new dock and drone, Connecticut’s “emergency” bill to ban Chinese drones, your last chance to comment on the Department of Commerce ANPRM, and LEDA calls out AUVSI.
First up, DJI launched the new Dock 3 and Matrice 4D & 4TD!This is the first DJI dock designed for use on a vehicle, allowing the drone to launch directly from a mobile platform.The Dock 3 can operate and charge in extreme temperatures up to 122°F and down to -22°F. It’s IP56-rated, and the Matrice 4D comes with anti-icing propellers.Speaking of the Matrice 4D, it’s IP55 rated and offers 54 minutes of flight time or 47 minutes of hover time. Both the 4D and 4TD comes with a wide-angle camera, a 3X medium tele camera, a 7X long tele camera, and a laser range finder.The Thermal offers a near IR light and a 640X512 infrared thermal camera in addition to the other cameras.In conjunction with the release, AVSS, the Canadian parachute manufacturer, released a parachute for the Matrice 4D. While it is not yet on the FAA Declaration of Compliance list yet, the press release mentioned it will be FAA approved for operations over people. The parachute will be available in Q2 of this year.DJI just seems to be pumping them out this year!Next up, Connecticut’s emergency bill on banning Chinese Drones.This bill has currently passed both chambers of the state’s legislature and prohibits state agencies and municipalities from purchasing “Covered” drones starting in October of 2026 and a ban on operating in 2028.The legislation also restricts drone flights within 250 feet of critical electric and other utility infrastructure.If you’re in Connecticut, please reach out to your representatives ASAP!Last up, there are only a few days left to make your voice heard!The Department of Commerce ANPRM’s comment date ends on March 4th.Don’t let folks in suits who have never flown drones write the narrative on what our UAS actually do.Please watch this video and comment!Speaking of getting your voices heard, the Law Enforcement Drone Association, or LEDA for short, expressed their disheartening at an opinion article written by AUVSI president Michael Robbins.Jon Beal, the President and CEO of LEDA mentions the oped written on drone blog DroneLife is "overt gaslighting regarding legislation related to the use of Drones from China."Beal explains that LEDA is a platform-agnostic organization whose stance "has always been to let member agencies and pilots decide what platform works best for them and their communities at large".He also explains that he has watches, which his own eyes, AUVSI representatives testify in support of banning Chinese drones for public safety agencies in various states.Beal goes on to question Robbin's understanding of how these bans affect agencies, forcing many of them to shut down their programs completely. As a result, agencies no longer have the ability to save lives and mitigate risk, including for the public at large. Beal also cites Robbin's lack of evidence in his statement that "security vulnerabilities are well-documented with the national security community". In response, Beal welcomes the stated clause in Section 1709 of the 2024 NDAA, which mandates a study of DJI and Autel drones for data security.Beal concludes by stating that "almost every one of our 3200 members is angered by the legislation happening in their states and our country borne from greed and in an attempt to limit their ability to save lives".https://www.flyingmag.com/connecticut-emergency-bill-would-ban-chinese-russian-drones/https://dronexl.co/2025/02/25/dji-m4td-dock-3-imminent-release/https://youtu.be/AYOcLhKpGDQhttps://www.ledauas.org/_files/ugd/78f471_7a7178eabda94a49b7bbacbbaba19986.pdf
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you; A Drone Crash into Uranium Mine, GA bill to ban Chinese Drones, ND Senate rejects Chinese drone ban, Sumas Police Rescue, and New DJI Products!
First up, don’t be this guy.
An alleged drone collision with mine equipment at the Pinyon Plain uranium mine here in AZ caused the mine to temporarily cease operations.
While the size and type of the drone are unknown at this time, it supposedly struck a safety wire used to transport personnel into the 1,400’ deep mine according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
After crashing into the equipment, the suspect, Bobby Mason, allegedly fled in a Ford F-150 leading to a series of incidents including two hit-and-runs near and inside of Grand Canyon National Park.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has charged Mason with offenses including unlawful operation of an unmanned aircraft, Aggravated DUI, criminal damage, hit and run, reckless driving, and harassment.
So, Don’t be this guy.
Next up, A Georgia bill would require Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security to create an approved drone list for public safety and government.
The bill would give agencies a 3-year compliance window to acquire new aircraft that are on the approved list.
If you live in Georgia, please let your legislators know what you think about House Bill 205.
On the opposite side of the fence is North Dakota.
North Dakota’s Senate rejected a portion of a bill that would act as a replacement program for state-owned and operated Chinese drones.
State Senator Kyle Davison led the motion to strip this text from the bill, citing the significant cost difference between Chinese and American-made drones.
According to Senate Testimony, the M30 currently used by state agencies costs ~$7500 while NDAA-compliant alternatives cost between $20,000 and $50,000.
The Senate preserved an $11,000,000 allocation to support BVLOS Operations in the same bill.
A Drone story for good this week, coming from some Pilot Institute students in northern Washington State!
Multiple agencies responded to a report of an elderly woman who'd gone missing during the night.
After several hours of searching, the Sumas Police Department arrived on scene and an M30T was launched, locating the missing person in under 3 minutes.
The woman had fallen down a steep slope near her residence and was hypothermic.
Luckily, she was able to be rescued and was transported to the hospital.
Shout out to Sumas Police Department, Great work, and thanks for what you guys do!
Last up, DJI has released TWO new gimbals this week!
This week we got a new Osmo Mobile 7, with active track 7.0, hand motion control, 10-hour run time, a built-in tripod, and magnetic mounting for accessories.
The Osmo Mobile 7 entry level comes at $89, with the 7P model costing $149.
DJI also released the RS4 Mini, and we actually got our hands on one to test out.
It’s got a 13-hour run time, a 4.4lb payload, an active track module, and native vertical shooting.
Check out our full review here <Point>
Join us later today for our happy hour in the community, Live Q&A on Monday, and Post Flight Monday in the community! We’ll see you then!
https://dronexl.co/2025/02/18/drone-strike-grand-canyon-mine/#google_vignette
https://dronexl.co/2025/02/17/georgia-ban-chinese-drones-security/
https://dronexl.co/2025/02/18/north-dakota-senate-rejects-chinese-drone-replacement/
https://dronexl.co/2025/02/18/dji-smartphone-stabilizers-tracking/
https://www.facebook.com/wcfd14/
First up, this week marks 300 weeks of Drone News… Thanks for tuning in and making this possible! So far we’ve got 390,000 students with over 115,000 in our Part 107 course, 48 drone courses, we’ve shipped over 50,000 stickers, Done FAA WINGs credits, and TRUST Certificates. And this is just the beginning! Soon we’ll be moved into our new building where we’ll be able to start offering even more cool things!Now onto the news! Next up, Wingcopter released LiDAR for its Wingcoper 198. According to the press release at GeoWeek the Wingcopter 198 can survey over 37 miles of linear infrastructure in a single flight, while carrying a 10lb payload. This system can achieve a point cloud density of 570 points per square meter, 10mm sensor accuracy, and 5mm precision. In approximately 42 minute flight, this system can scan 2,560 acres. Pretty cool new tech! Third, a Baltimore man was arrested after allegedly flying a drone over the M&T Bank Stadium earlier this year. The NFL paused the game in the third quarter when a drone, allegedly belonging to Alex Perez Suarez, was spotted flying approximately 400 feet over the stadium.The drone allegedly took 7 pictures before flying away from the stadium. Alex is now facing 3 federal charges for flying in restricted airspace, operation of an unregistered drone, operation of an aircraft without an airman certificate, and willful violation of National Defense Airspace. Please don’t be that guy… Next up, The FAA has authorized the Pyka Pelican 2 to operate in the US! The Pyka is a large, fixed wing spray drone designed for crop dusting.The Pelican 2 has a 300 liter capacity, hot swappable batteries, LiDAR and RADAR, and comes in at $550,000. According to Pyka, the Pelican is the largest drone that has been authorized to operate in the US.Pretty cool, but I’m not sure we’ll be getting our hands on one of these guys any time soon!Next, Skyebrowse announced a major change to indoor map processing.According to the press release, the new processing method uses AI to verify that individual rooms are processed correctly.This verification allows for additional speed, clarity, and accuracy.If you're unfamiliar with Skyebrowse, they're a 3D mapping software that uses video instead of traditional photos to make 3D Models.Their lowest tier plan is free, so if you're interested in 3D modeling, this is a great place to start and make some models!
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; Department of Commerce Advanced Notice NPRM, More drone show troubles, and more DJI Flip leaks. Story Links: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-30209/securing-the-information-and-communications-technology-and-services-supply-chain-unmanned-aircraft https://www.wkrg.com/news/nye-drone-show-canceled-on-folly-beach-after-drones-fall-from-sky-at-least-1-injured/ https://dronexl.co/2024/12/28/dji-flip-drone-leak-compact-design-advanced-ai-features/
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you: Drone Light Show injures kid in Orlando, Israeli drone company wins big DOD drone contract, and navigating TFRs in New York and New Jersey.
First story this week is a bit of a sad one. A child was injured at an Orlando drone show last week after a drone hit him in the chest during a show near Lake Eola Park. The 7-year old boy was taken to the hospital and it was later reported that he required emergency cardiac surgery due to damage to a heart valve. Approximately 15 minutes into the performance, drones started falling out of the sky, according to a video and witness statements. The show was put on by SkyElement, a very reputable company that has a long-standing of safe operation. SkyElement puts out dozens of shows around the country yearly, and even holds 11 Guiness world records, including flying a show with 5000 drones a month ago during Thanksgiving. It's unclear exactly what happened, but it would be out of touch for me to speculate at the moment. We will follow up when the NTSB concludes its investigation and releases its findings. We wish the young boy a prompt recovery. Second story this week, XTEND, an Israeli defense tech company, has secured an $8.8 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. The contract is to deliver advanced AI-powered drones called PSIO sUAS. These tactical drones, capable of operating indoors and outdoors, combine artificial intelligence with real-time precision strike capabilities. The drones are designed for rapid deployment in urban and open-field settings, and reduce risks for soldiers while enhancing operational flexibility. Manufactured in the U.S., these drones align with defense production standards and are set for delivery in early 2025, following extensive testing. XTEND’s systems are already in use globally, including by the Israel Defense Forces, showcasing their value in modern warfare. For our last story, I want to discuss the recent temporary flight restrictions that were put in place in New Jersey and New York. Most of those are 1 nautical mile in radius and around sensitive infrastructures, such as substations, railroad depots, or even nuclear power plants. Part 107 operators who have a valid statement of work and show a need to be in the restricted airspace are eligible to request SGI waivers. SGI stands the Special Governmental Interest and is typically used by public safety agencies, but is also available to "regular" part 107 operators. According to the FAA website, "To apply for a waiver through the SGI process, you must be an existing Part 107 remote pilot with a current certificate OR a public agency with an existing Certificate of Waiver or Authorization or COA." I will put a link in the description for those who are interested in applying (https://www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/emergency_situations) Last note before we go, we have the winner of the Community photo contest for December! Congratulations to Bill Heiser won with this photo titled "Highway to the Pass". And that's it for this week and even this year. I want to thank you all for tuning in every single week. We are getting close to 300 consecutive weeks of news update, and we couldn't do this without all of you. I and the entire team at Pilot Institute wish everybody a Happy New Year. I hope it will be full of growth for your company if that's what you do, but more importantly I hope it is filled with many hours of flying. Please continue to be safe and vigilant, and remember to be a mentor to those who got their first drone under the tree.
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 4 stories for you; Skydio sanctioned by China, Michigan Coalition of Drone Operators vs University of Michigan lawsuit, More info on the DJI Lawsuit,DJI New Goggles Leaks.
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; DJI Takes legal action against the DOD, CNN Drone crashes into crowd injuring three, and BRINC releases the Guardian.
Join our community site: https://pilotinstitute.com/community/
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 3 stories for you; GAO Report on Foreign Made Drones, officials tell Fairfax County to stop using DJI, Axon acquires Dedrone, and new record drone show.
First up, the GAO has released a report on the Department of Interior’s stance on foreign drones. Currently, the DOI does not allow foreign drones to be used except for emergency situations such as search and rescue and wild fires. The GAO studied the effects of the policies after the DOI asked them to, covering the 4 most active departments; bureau of land management (BLM), Fire and Wildlife service (FWS), National Park Service (NPS), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Findings from the GAO are predictable; the majority of drones are now nearing their end of life and replacing them with compliant drones is much more expensive. Due to the reduction in fleet size, bureaus haven’t been able to expand their use of drones and some no longer have enough drones even for emergencies. Even for bureaus that have purchased approved drones, the drones aren’t be delivered until 6 months or more later. The GAO gave the example that in April of 2024, the DOI had purchased 98 drones for fiscal year 2024 and only 46 had been delivered. In another example, the National Park Service purchased drones for wild fire management in March and were not expected to have the drones in hand until October, missing nearly all of the 2024 fire season. The GAO goes on to discuss that compliant drones are not as capable in carrying payloads nor are as reliable. Due to these problems, not only have emergency flights decreased but non-emergency flights for research, surveys, training, and post-storm recoveries have become nearly non-existent. Next up, federal law makers John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi from the House of Representatives have urged Fairfax County to stop using DJI. In a letter to the county Board of Supervisors the representatives stated “The PRC-made UAS platforms and censors currently used by Fairfax County collect high-resolution imagery of facilities and individuals at risk, putting them at risk of being collected by the CCP,” This is the first time we’ve seen representatives attempting to influence a particular public safety department on what drones to use or not use. Fairfax county sits just south west of Washington DC along the Potomac river. At this time, we don’t know how the county will respond but we’ll keep you updated if we see more. Third, Axon has finished the acquisition of Dedrone. Dedrone is a counter UAS system that uses RF detection, RADAR, cameras and for authorized users can include hammers, drone take over, and kinetic means to stop a rogue drone. An important note is that the DOD are the only ones currently who are allowed to utilize these tools to stop a drone. We’ll keep you updated if we see more from Dedrone and Axon! Last up, Sky Elements broke the record this week for the most drones launching pyrotechnics. The city of Mansfield TX partnered with Sky Elements to break the word record of most drones launching pyrotechnics. Sky Elements used 1164 drones to break the record in a free drone show for residents. Cool use of the drones and we’re sure we’ll continue to see bigger and bigger drone shows! That’s all for this week, we’ll see you later in the community for Happy Hour and on Monday for our Q&A! https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-106924.pdf https://dronelife.com/2024/10/01/lawmakers-urge-fairfax-county-to-end-use-of-dji-drones-due-to-national-security-concerns/ https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/mansfield-texas-drone-show-guinness-world-record-sky-elements-display/287-a03f5178-feea-43ca-9e06-7e5a5ae2a099
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update we have 5 stories for you, New DJI Action 5, Air 3S hits FCC Database, Pilot Institute Community, a Drone finds missing Louisiana girl, and a press release on drone incursions into wild fire aircraft operations.
First up, DJI has released the new Action 5! The action 5 comes with a new 1/1.3” sensor (the same size as the Mini 4 Pro), 10-bit D-Log M, HLG, horizon steady, subject tracking, a barometer/hydrometer, 47GB of internal storage, magnetic mounting, 4 hour battery life, 113 degree max operating temperature, and connection with the DJI Mic 2s! Whew, lots cool specs, we’ll be getting on to check out and post some content on! Next, the Air 3S has hit the FCC database! We’ve seen quite a few leaks about the Air 3S, including some images with an RC-N3 series controller, what appears to be a larger sensor in a dual camera setup, and potentially larger batteries. Rumors have also included that batteries may be compatible with the current Air 3. We’ve seen some decent images of the Air 3, we’ll have to wait and see if DJI publishes an announcement any time soon! Third up, a big Pilot Institute update. This week we launched the Premium Community with the goal to help part 107 pilots use their certificate to get paid work. In premium you'll find tons of interviews and workshops, we'll be releasing exclusive content every month. And, if you're a fan of News Update, we have an extended version every week called Post Flight. Each episode we discuss News Update stories in more detail and give our personal opinion on the facts. Visit Pilotinstitute.com/community to check it all out! Third up, a drone in Louisiana located a missing child this week. A 10 year old Louisiana girl was reported missing early in the day on Sunday. Searchers were unable to locate the girl, and a company from Arkansas, Drone Management Services, stepped in to assist. Using what appears to be a Mavic 3 Thermal, Co-Owner Josh Kolber located the girl sleeping on the ground. Great use of the drone Josh! Last up, the National Interagency Fire Center has published data this week about 21 incidents where drones have operated near wildfires. In 10 of these events, firefighting aircraft operations were suspended. Generally, firefighting aircraft operate within a TFR, meaning other aircraft including traditional aircraft are not permitted in that area. Be sure to check the TFRs before you take off, especially in wildfire prone areas. Alright, that’s all we’ve got! Greg will be back on Monday, so he’ll see you then for the live Q&A!
