The University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drone Journalism Labs (see previous links) thought they could use drones as amatuers [sic] for local news reporting, but the FAA sees the journalism schools as a public operator requiring a Certificate of Authorization (COA) to fly.
Image courtesy of DroneJournalsim.org
SkyVector is a great online resource to understand FAA Sectionals (aeronautical charts) for flight planning (staying out of airport zones). Just punch in your airport code near you.
Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Under little-known federal regulations passed in 1963, moored balloons and kites cannot be flown within five miles of an airport or more than 500 feet off the ground.
FAR 101 is the regulation you need to know to maintain balloon compliance. SkyVector is a great online source for understanding sectionals (flight paths) for your airport code near you.
Scarlet Knight . . . The future of deep-water oceanography?
On December 9, officials from NOAA joined scientists from Rutgers University and other overseas institutions in a celebration highlighting the first-ever trans-Atlantic ocean crossing of an unmanned, underwater glider . . .
The glider, launched off the coast of New Jersey last April, repeatedly dove to depths of 200 meters (656 feet) to collect data including temperature, salinity, and density. Scientists correlate these data with those from satellite imagery and altimetry, sea-floor and buoy-mounted sensors, and radar systems to get a more detailed view of a particular patch of ocean in near real time.
Source: NOAA's press release
Further details about mission can be found at Rutgers University Scarlet Knight website.
Source: New York Times
"A new federal law, signed by the president on Tuesday, compels the Federal Aviation Administration to allow drones to be used for all sorts of commercial endeavors" . . . see New York Times article entitled: "Drones Set Sights on U.S. Skies"
"But open robots also present the potential for inestimable legal liability, which may lead entrepreneurs and investors to abandon open robots in favor of products with more limited functionality . . . therefore recommends a selective immunity for manufacturers of open robotic platforms for what end users do with these platforms, akin to the immunity enjoyed under federal law by firearms manufacturers."
Source: Open Robotics by Ryan Calo, a senior research fellow at Stanford Law School and expert in robots and the law. Also see, “When Good Robots Do Bad Things: Responsibility and Liability in an Era of Personal and Service Robotics”
Article: Wooden DIY quadrocopter gets no respect from Minnesota State Fair
Wood and CNC - any DIY ideas yet?
Preventative measures needed before "neighborhood nutjob mounts a weapon onto his personal drone" . . . Attack of the Personal Drones
Info for the Landkamp 2011 event
Source: Center for Biologically Inspired Robotics Research
Self-launching by walking off roof top - impressive.
YouTube video here
Additional info at Case Western Reserve University Biologically Inspired Robotics Laboratory
Source: http://www.rent-a-drone.de
German company providing drone rentals @ 190 EUR [private use] or @ 420 EUR [commercial use]. Interesting to note, units supposedly easy to control for the novice via video goggles and Tablet PC, remote control or using GPS waypoint navigation. English translation of website via google available here.
For the record, not associated with firm(s) in any way -- posted for informational purposes only.
