Washington and the drone industry: legislation, procurement, security reviews, and agency policy beyond the FAA.
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.
DSPA co-founder Vic Moss abandoned six years of measured advocacy to attack FCC Docket 26-189. Under the anger is a filing deadline three weeks out.
Sen. John Kennedy told the FCC's own lawyer the agency scares him. He meant television. Drone pilots staring down Docket 26-189 know the feeling.
Cameras on the Royal Navy's K3 Scout sea drones sent heartbeat signals to a Chinese IP address. Kraken says the units were NDAA-compliant.
DJI is urging drone operators to file FCC comments before September 2 as the agency weighs cutting off imports and sales of previously approved drones with thermal, LiDAR, spray, and docking capabilities.
DJI opened reservations for the Osmo 360 II in China on August 7 and confirmed an August 13 launch. Swappable lenses answer the first generation's loudest complaint — and the US still has no price or date.
More than 700 drones seized at the FIFA World Cup, Spokane wildfire incursions ground firefighting aircraft, and DoorDash Air wins FAA Part 135 approval.
One email with the drone news that matters — DJI, FAA, public safety, and everything in between, straight from the newsroom. No spam, no fluff.
