About this episode
The X-47B UCAS-D team wins the Collier Trophy, drones and Bluefins and the search for Malaysia Flight 370, the UK CAA convicts a drone pilot, and listener feedback. The News: Legendary Collier Trophy Awarded to X-47B Team The 2013 Robert J. Collier Trophy has been awarded to the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) team by the National Aeronautic Association. The team was selected for “developing and demonstrating the first unmanned, autonomous air system operating from an aircraft carrier.” How Drones Could Have Helped Find Malaysia Air Flight 370 UAVs could be used more extensively for search and rescue operations. We have aircraft like the AeroVironment Global Observer, Lockheed Martin’s High Altitude Airship, and Boeing’s Phantom Eye. Hopefully someday soon these and others could be used for missions like the search for MH 370. Boston-Area Underwater Robot To Aid Search For Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 The Bluefin-21 from Bluefin Robotics is an 18 foot autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUV, that uses side-scan sonars to create a mosaic image, like an ultrasound. UK’s first drone conviction will bankrupt me, says Cumbrian man The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) prosecuted a man for the dangerous and illegal flying an unmanned aircraft near a nuclear submarine testing facility. From Listener Feedback: ‘River of blood’ after drone ‘hits’ Australian athlete Triathlete injured as drone filming race falls to ground Triathlete injured in drone incident CASA investigating Geraldton drone incident A UAV injures an athlete, but what really happened? Lehmann Aviation The LA100 is called a flying platform for GoPro users. It’s RTF, fixed wing, fully autonomous, with communications via WiFi, and a five minute flight time. E-Waste Quadcopter Lifts Your Spirits While Keeping Costs Down A quadcopter made out of junk: plywood, 140mm PC fans over-driven to 15,000 RPM by a 24V Dewalt cordless tool battery. Its controlled by an Arduino running MultiWii control software using sensors from a Nintendo Wii remote. Its dated April 1, but a fun idea nonetheless. Drones on ice After trials in Japan, a DJI Phantom and GoPro are being used to study sea ice and climate change. Drones Over Dolphin Stampede and Whales off Dana Point and Maui Great aerial video. Drone Saves Puppy Trapped In Stony Creek Swamp A one year old beagle got himself lost in the cattails of a muddy swamp in Connecticut. He couldn’t be located until a fire department drone woke him up, and his barking led rescuers to the dog. This is the same fire department that used a DJI Phantom in the quarry fire in January. UAV User Groups – See the Thirty Thousand Feet UAV page for some drone user groups. Send us yours if its not listed. Game of Drones Mounting a paintball gun. (Don’t try this at home.) FAA Unswayed by Do-Good Drones Texas EquuSearch fights back. Mentioned: Become a Pilot Family Day and Aviation Display – The annual Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum event at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Bring your family for a great day, and meet Max and David. June 14, 2014.