Concerning Bill, AMA Club Altitude Increase, DJI Enterprise Payloads, ParaZero SafeAir M4

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update! This week, we cover a concerning bill in Congress affecting all UAS operators, AMA clubs gaining higher altitude authorization in Class G airspace, DJI launching new enterprise accessories, and Parzero releasing a new parachute system for the Matrice 4 series. Let’s dive in!

Senate Bill 1249: Proposed Airspace Changes

A bill, Senate Bill 1249, proposes redefining navigable airspace, granting states and private property owners control over the first 200 feet above ground. It also mandates standoff distances of 200 feet laterally and 50 feet above structures. This concept, previously proposed by the Uniform Law Commission five years ago and defeated, is spearheaded by Senator Mike Lee from Utah, known for proposing UAS-restrictive legislation. This bill could impact all UAS operators, including drones, model airplanes, FPV, and helicopters. Contact your senators and representatives to oppose this bill.

AMA Secures Higher Altitude for Recreational Flyers

Les Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has secured a national authorization allowing members at designated club sites in Class G airspace to fly above the standard 400-foot AGL limit, up to 700 or 1,200 feet AGL, depending on the area. Clubs must obtain the specific authorization and meet outlined criteria, which are minimal. Club officers should keep a copy of the form on hand. The AMA provides a guide to determine site-specific altitudes and will release an FAQ soon. Note: This applies only to AMA club sites, not all recreational flyers.

DJI Expands Enterprise Payload Lineup

DJI has introduced two new enterprise accessories for public safety and inspection users: the Zenmuse S1 Spotlight and Zenmuse V1 Speaker, compatible with the Matrice 300 RTK and 350 RTK platforms. The S1 Spotlight offers a high-intensity light with a 150-meter (approximately 500-foot) illumination range, adjustable brightness, and gimbal-synchronized angles. The V1 Speaker, with a 120 dB maximum volume and 100-meter (330-foot) effective range at 75 dB, supports text-to-speech, audio storage, and real-time playback for broadcasting instructions or warnings during emergencies. These accessories enhance enterprise drone capabilities.

Parzero Launches SafeAir M4 Parachute System

Parzero, known for drone safety systems, has released the SafeAir M4 parachute recovery system for the Matrice 4 series. It meets ASTM F-3222-22 standards for operations over people (OOP). The system features autonomous triggering technology to detect flight anomalies and deploy the parachute automatically, alongside an independent flight termination system (FTS) that cuts power to the drone’s motors. While the system’s weight wasn’t specified, similar systems add approximately 500 grams. This joins other options like the AVSS parachute for the Matrice 4 series.

Community Events

Join us later for a community happy hour featuring a tour of our new facility, now ready to showcase. Additionally, we’ll host a post-flight discussion and live Q&A on Monday. See you there!