113 Think First, Launch Second

Lockheed Martin adds drone flight plans to pilot briefings, the AMA takes a closer look at FAA drone sightings data, Canadian farmers don’t want onerous regulations, California legislators want more drone laws, InterDrone product announcements, and the Reaper gets a long-range update package. Think Before You Launch Think Before You Launch (TBYL) is an awareness campaign that seeks to educate both manned and unmanned aircraft operators about the hazards in the low-altitude environment. This alliance of UAS and aviation stakeholders wants to improve aviation safety and educate users about the safe and responsible operation and integration of UAS. See the TBYL Infographic [PDF]. News Graphical drone briefing developed Lockheed Martin adds unmanned flight plans to the weather information, NOTAMs, TAFs, and METARs already in the Next Generation Briefings online flight planning tool. Drone hobbyists find flaws in “close call” reports to FAA from other aircraft AMA Responds to the FAA’s Drone Sighting Report The Academy of Model Aeronautics took a closer look at the reports of 764 close-call incidents with drones reported by the FAA in August ( Pilot Reports of Close Calls With Drones Soar in 2015 ). According to the AMA report New AMA Analysis: FAA Data Reveals Complex Picture of U.S. Drone Activity [PDF], the FAA data ( FAA Releases Pilot UAS Reports ) shows that only 27 incidents were called “near misses” by the pilots and evasive action was taken 10 times. Some altitudes reported by pilots were too high for a UAV (19,000 – 51,000 feet) and the data included sightings of public agencies and commercial operators, as well as military flights. The AMA says: Some sightings appear to involve people flying responsibly and within the FAA’s current recreational guidelines. Many things in the air – from balloons and birds to model rockets and mini blimps – are mistaken for, or reported as, drone sightings even when they are not. A number of sightings have occurred over or around stadium events, wildfires, power plants and other critical infrastructure. These raise different concerns from pilot sightings. In almost 20 percent (142) of the reports, local law enforcement either wasn’t notified or it was unknown whether local law enforcement was notified. KAP doesn’t want new UAV regs to unnecessarily ground farmers Keystone Agricultural Producers of Manitoba (KAP) president Dan Mazier views drones as tools for farmers, and recognizes the need for regulations, but he doesn’t want them to be onerous. Mazier says, “KAP would like dialogue before they (Transport Canada) make regulations. If they are going to put a certain regulation in, at least consult farm groups or farmers and ask how they can work with it.” Transport Canada says it will amend regulatory requirements for UAVs in 2016 and proposes to create UAV classifications, establish aircraft marking and registration requirements, address personnel licensing and training and create flight rules. Bill on drones heads to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk Senate Bill 168 has passed the California legislature and was sent to Governor Jerry Brown for consideration. This legislation seeks to address problems seen when drones interfere with emergency responders like firefighters. It would increase the fines for drone operators who interfere with emergency responders, and it would grant immunity to emergency responders who damage or destroy unmanned aircraft during emergency operations. Other legislation in the pipeline at the Federal level introduced by California Legislators:: H.R. 3025, the Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015 , would make it a criminal offense to launch a drone that interferes with fighting wildfires on federal land. S. 1608, the Consumer Drone Safety Act , requires safety features on consumer drones and strengthens FAA regulations that regulate drone operation. Reaper ER Extends RPA Missions to +33 Hours A Reaper’s maximum endurance can grow from 27 hours to 33-35 hours by installing two wing-mounted fuel tanks as a field-retrofittable package. Other modifications to accommodate the higher gross weight include an alcohol/water injection system, a four-bladed propeller, and a stronger landing gear system. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. says the Reaper ER has been operationally fielded by the U.S. Air Force. TWiT Live Specials #254: InterDrone Conference 2015 In this 48 minute video, Fr. Robert Ballecer SJ from the Know How maker video podcast, shows us product announcements from the InterDrone 2015 conference. Video of the Week Blarney Castle in County Cook Professor Vanderhoof found this stunning video from Tourism Ireland. Mentioned Man fined after flying drones over Premier League stadiums A man was fined £1,800 and banned from buying or using a drone for two years for flying over sporting events and London landmarks.