News, deep dives, and analysis — every Specialist story, newest first.
In this week's US drone news update, I cover the DARPA Lift Challenge results, a drone-delivered defibrillator that saved a man's life in Sweden, and the FCC proposal that could pull already-approved DJI drones like the Mini 5 Pro and Air 3S off the shelves.
Most new pilots think 400 feet is a hard ceiling. It isn't. Greg Reverdiau of Pilot Institute walks through the structure rule, FAA waivers, and CBO fixed sites, plus the LAANC mistake that trips up Part 107 pilots.
I've been flying drones for over 8 years, reviewed dozens of them, and made my share of mistakes. Here are the 11 things I wish someone had told me before my first flight.
Pilot Institute covers two new FCC drone exemptions, ParaZero and Axon Vision’s net-based counter-UAS system, and FAA-approved avalanche drones.
Shawn from Air Photography compares the DJI Lito X1 with the Mini 5 Pro and explains which first-time pilots need the bigger sensor, stronger wind performance, and true vertical video.
Russ from 51 Drones says he got this one wrong. After arguing that DJI-style drones would keep reaching American buyers through shell companies, he now says the FCC’s latest proposal targeting nine covered UAS brands shows just how far regulators are willing to go, with the Sky Rover X1 and Xtra camera line directly in the crosshairs.
This week’s Pilot Institute update covers a Colorado drone pilot facing federal charges after grounding wildfire aircraft, a new FCC request for comment that could restrict some military-grade foreign-made drone imports, and the National Press Photographers Association’s warning that the FAA’s Section 2209 rule could create permanent restrictions with no clear way to challenge them.
Mikhail Svilanov shares the exact Insta360 Luna Ultra settings he uses for more cinematic footage, including why he sticks to 4K, locks ISO at 800 in I-Log, uses ND filters, and switches to Pure Video at night.
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