Drone policy, incidents, and industry news across the United States — from statehouses to the national airspace.
In a unique twist, Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, known for hosting the massive country music festival WE Fest, became the site of an extensive drone training event for area first responders on Wednesday, June 5. According to InForum, more than a dozen agencies from across northwest Minnesota gathered to practice their drone skills…
DroneXL.co is proud to announce its partnership with the newly formed Drone Advocacy Alliance, a non-partisan, drone-agnostic grassroots advocacy coalition. The Alliance aims to safeguard the rights of American drone users to freely choose and employ their drones in the face of proposed market access restrictions at both state and federal levels. Protecting the U.S.…
In October 2018, the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) launched the nation’s first Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, deploying drones to respond to 911 calls. Since then, the drones have flown nearly 20,000 missions, providing officers with critical intelligence before arriving on scene. While the department touts the program’s benefits, a WIRED investigation reveals…
La Prensa Fights for Public Access to Drone Videos In a groundbreaking legal battle, La Prensa, a Latino newspaper, has successfully challenged the City of Chula Vista’s attempt to withhold police drone footage from public scrutiny. The California Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case affirms an appellate court ruling that the city’s blanket refusal…
The Noblesville Fire Department (NFD) in Indiana has reportedly announced the addition of a cutting-edge drone to its fleet, set to revolutionize emergency response capabilities. The drone, equipped with advanced features and adaptable tools, promises to provide firefighters and first responders with crucial information that was previously challenging or impossible to obtain. Drone Specifications
Ruling Deals Blow to Fourth Amendment Rights In a controversial decision, the Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that evidence obtained through warrantless drone surveillance can be admissible in certain civil cases, such as zoning disputes. The ruling stems from the case of Todd and Heather Maxon, who were accused by Long Lake Township of violating…
Efficiency Skyrockets with Drone Technology Dutchman Tree Farms, a large Christmas tree farm in Missaukee County, Michigan, has embraced Wingtra drone technology to streamline their crop management process. By using drones to survey their vast fields, tasks that once took days can now be completed in mere hours. Kate Dodde, the drone pilot at Dutchman…
Discussions Underway for 31 Drones Acquisition In a significant development, a team from the United States is currently in India for discussions on the acquisition of MQ-9B drones by the Indian armed forces. If finalized, the deal is estimated to be worth $3.9 billion, with 31 drones being acquired, 15 of which will have a…
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