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Oct 16

Last updated

Pilot Institute host presenting the weekly drone news update for week 387, covering Chinese test labs, LAANC in DroneSense and the DJI Dock 4 and Matrice 5TD

LAANC · Pilot Institute

FCC Moves to Shut Out Chinese Labs, DroneSense Adds LAANC, DJI Dock 4

Greg Reverdiau: the FCC votes Oct. 29 to cut off Chinese test labs, DroneSense adds LAANC through Aloft, and DJI's Dock 4 swaps batteries in 25 seconds.

Greg ReverdiauOct 163 min read

Two climbers in harnesses sit at the very top of a 2,000-foot broadcast tower above flat farmland, photographed from a drone hovering level with them

FAA

FAA Lets Tower Inspection Drones Fly Above LAANC Grids, No Tower Call

FAA Order JO 7200.23E, effective Oct. 31, exempts tower inspections from ATC coordination above the grid, writes rules for Class E airports and more.

Haye KestelooOct 9

A quadcopter drone hovering beside a glass skyscraper with an upward arrow and the text Above 400ft Legally

FAA

Three Legal Ways To Fly A Drone Above 400 Feet, And The One Mistake That Brings Big Fines

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.

Greg ReverdiauAug 12

FAA

FAA Eliminates Warning Letters for Invisible DHS TFR Violations — What Drone Pilots Need to Know

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have three stories for you this week. The FAA is escalating enforcement on the controversial DHS TFR, that same TFR is getting its first federal court challenge, and the Forest Service is updating their filming rules. Let’s get to it. FAA Gives Serious Teeth to the Controversial…

Greg ReverdiauMar 20

DJI

10 Tips Every New Drone Pilot Needs Before That First Flight

Crashes happen fast. But they’re avoidable. If you just unboxed a brand new drone and your hands are sweaty thinking about that first takeoff, I get it. A few simple steps can keep your drone safe, keep you compliant with the FAA, and get you flying with confidence. I put together 10 tips that cover…

Greg ReverdiauFeb 11

Iowa Senate Advances Bill to Expand Drone Restrictions Over Farmland - National Security Takes Flight in China's Drone Laws - Revolutionary DJI Mavic 3 Pro Drone: Triple-Camera Aerial Mastery Unleashed

DJI

Clark County expands drone-approved parks from 8 to 28 after local pilots lobbied the commission

Clark County, Nevada just gave recreational drone pilots in the Las Vegas area something they rarely get: more places to fly. The county’s Department of Parks and Recreation updated its Drone/UAV Operation Policy on November 10, 2025, expanding the list of approved parks from roughly 8 locations to 28. That is a 3.5x increase, and…

Haye KestelooFeb 7

5 Trick Questions Most Drone Pilots Get Wrong

FAA

Part 107 Knowledge Test: 5 Trick Questions Drone Pilots Often Get Wrong

Think you’re prepared for the Part 107 knowledge test? Let’s find out. These are the top five questions drone pilots consistently get wrong. We’ll break each one down to understand why they’re missed, so you can avoid the same mistakes. Plus, we’ll address the biggest question pilots often overlook. Hi, I’m Greg from Pilot Institute,…

Greg ReverdiauJun 10

Amazon

Senate Bill 1249 Proposes Radical Shift in Drone Airspace Control, Raising Industry Concerns

A new U.S. Senate bill, S.1249, the Drone Integration and Zoning Act, introduced on April 2, 2025, by Senator Mike Lee of Utah, seeks to redefine low-altitude airspace management, potentially reshaping the drone industry. The legislation proposes granting states, local governments, and private property owners authority over airspace up to 200 feet above ground level…

Haye KestelooApr 20

LAANC

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