Crash site investigation with drones has emerged as a leading application for unmanned systems in public safety. Gathering data that can be used by investigators in a courtroom, however, requires careful mission planning. Here, sUAS expert and industry figure Douglas Spotted Eagle of Sundance Media Group provides a detailed insider’s view of a helicopter [...]
In 2004, Sony released the world’s first low-cost HD camera, known as the HVR-Z1U. The camera featured a standard 1/3” imager, squeezing 1440x1080 pixels (anamorphic/non-square) pixels on to the sensor. This was also the world’s first pro-sumer camera using the MPEG2 compression scheme, with a color sample of 4:2:0, and using a GOP method of [...]
First and foremost, there are exceptionally capable counter-UAS solutions available from developers and manufacturers with great integrity. This article is not about them. This is about the “jump on the bandwagon to capture bucks by generating uninformed fear” businesses that are cropping up like weeds in a concrete parking lot. Otherwise known in the security [...]
Maintenance of any aircraft system is a basic requirement, and UAS are no different. All too frequently, UAS operators/pilots arrive on scene, take a drone out of its case (assuming the aircraft lives in a case), and puts it into the air. While this may seem too simplified, a recent survey polling 107 certificate holders [...]
Retrieving Telemetry Logs from Yuneec ST16S and H520 ST16S 1. Power on ST16S 2. Insert micro USB cable into ST16S USB FRONT port 3. Insert USB cable into computer port 4. Open File Explorer 5. Navigate to ST16S (anzhen4_mrd7_w) Users can also rename their ST16S at this point; it's a good practice if the agency/organization [...]
Software and firmware run the world of UAS, and some developer/manufacturers offer/require frequent updates. Updates are a component of the maintenance process for any UAS and should be manually checked at minimum, every 30 days. We recommend that any old software/firmware versions be archived if possible, in the event of problems encountered with a new [...]
Last week I acquired a set of the new high CRI FoxFury Rugo 2's. Although I was first introduced to the Rugo as a tool for UAS flight and photography, these new hi CRI Rugo 2 units captured my interest and excitement. I've purchased several sets of the older Rugos (5700k) units, and they're terrific for drones [...]
“1 October, Harvest Festival, Route 91” are all synonymous to Nevadans and first responders, marking the America's worst-yet mass shooting event when a lone gunman in a high-rise hotel opened fire on concert goers (the official investigatory title for this event is "1 October"). 58 victims died of gunshot wounds. 422 individuals were injured by [...]
All these FARs, what’s a drone pilot to do in order to understand them? Do they matter? YES! In virtually every aviation pursuit except for sUAS, an understanding of regulations is requisite and part of most testing mechanisms. As a result, many sUAS pilots holding a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part §107 are woefully uninformed, [...]
IF A HOMEOWNER DOESN’T OWN THE AIR ABOVE THEIR HOME, WHO DOES? Recently, heated discussions surrounding the topic of “Air Rights”have arisen within the UAS community, generating confusion and division within the community. In one forum of UAS professionals, an industry member was so angered by the confusion that negative press releases were threatened, jobs [...]
