Air
Air
Southern Company partners with Skyward to expand UAS program
In an effort to expand its UAS program, Southern Company has partnered with Skyward, a Verizon company that is advancing UAS fleet management technologies and research and development.
Along with its affiliates, Southern Company was one of the first energy companies to use UAS as part of its operations for a variety of tasks, including remote inspection, wire transport and damage recovery assessments.
“Southern Company is leading the energy industry in deploying state-of-the-art drone operations technology and innovating their processes,” says Mariah Scott, Skyward President.
“Skyward is proud to help Southern Company fly in more ways and in more places and looks forward to continuing R&D work.”
WQAD-TV's UAS prove to be advantageous for newsgathering efforts
WQAD-TV, which is based in Moline, Illinois, is using UAS as part of its newsgathering efforts.
The television station has 12 aircraft—one for every photographer and one to spare. The fleet is made up of “Big NED” (News Eight Drone), nine “Little NEDs,” and a Phantom UAS.
The station has found no shortage of uses for its UAS, including reaching locations that were previously unattainable, or difficult to access.
“Whenever I was shooting, I was looking for ways to get high — up on a parking garage or a wall or fence; anything,” explains Andy McKay, WQAD's chief photographer, via the Quad-City Times.
Going to the TOP with AUVSI's Trusted Operator Program
AUVSI is about to give unmanned aircraft systems operators a way to increase their safety and boost their standing in a burgeoning marketplace, through the new Trusted Operator Program (TOP).
Becoming a commercial drone pilot and operating a UAS represents an exciting and rewarding career in a dynamic and emerging industry, but from a regulatory perspective, there is little required for the commercial drone operator to demonstrate competency or proficiency in his or her operations. There are training courses available to the prospective drone pilot, however, so far there has been no industry unification with respect to remote pilot competency training or testing programs.
Aerospace Cornwall and UAVAid to launch first UAS flight from Cornwall Airport Newquay in May 2019
Aerospace Cornwall has partnered with UK based UAS developer and operator UAVAid to launch the first UAS flight from Cornwall Airport Newquay in England during a capability event in May 2019.
During the event, UAVAid will showcase Hansard, its humanitarian UAS platform. The UAS is designed to not only “fundamentally improve the way aid agencies can respond to large scale disasters,” but also “boost healthcare and economic development in the developing world.”
Each UAS has a variety of capabilities, including long range cargo delivery, live streaming aerial video and large area mapping, in low infrastructure contexts.
Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 UAS conducts flight display during Red Bull Air Race
During the Red Bull Air Race in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS conducted a flight display.
Returning to its Austrian roots for the sixth race of the season, the Red Bull Air Race partnered with Schiebel in Wiener Neustadt, which is where the Camcopter S-100 production facility is located.
“The history of our company is strongly connected to the location of Wiener Neustadt and we are excited to be partnered with Red Bull Air Race 2018,” says Hannes Hecher, CEO of Schiebel.
“This presents a wonderful opportunity to bring together unmanned and manned aviation and give the audience a taste of the expertise and vision represented by the two sectors.”
GA-ASI's new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability demonstrated on MQ-9 Block 5 RPA
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) completed the first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) on Aug. 7, which was followed a few days later by the first auto-takeoff on Aug. 9.
GA-ASI says that it developed the new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) to “enhance mission capability.”
“This new, all-weather capability greatly increases the autonomy, flexibility, combat effectiveness and safety of the MQ-9 Reaper for the USAF,” explains David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI.
Colorado Northwestern Community College launches new UAS program
Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) is launching a new UAS program.
Scheduled to start on Oct. 15 at both the Craig and Rangely campuses, the first course, known as “AVT 160 – Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” is described as a hybrid class taught in-person and online. According to CraigDailyPress.com, it is the first of three UAS courses the college plans to offer.
“This is a stepping stone for where we are going with the course,” says CNCC Aviation Technology Program Director David Boles.
Self-Deploying Drone Pilots may be Problem for Hurricane Response Efforts
Last year’s hurricane season was a benchmark year for the role of drones in emergency management. Harvey, Irma, and Maria all had varying characteristics that served well to showcase the benefits that unmanned aircraft systems can provide for response and recovery operations. However, the well-documented — and publicized — success of those efforts is now likely to create a new problem: well-intentioned remote pilots who self-deploy to disaster scenes hoping to help save the day.
