Good article at The Atlantic's Quartz site comparing DJI with 3DR. Sample quote:
The UAV industry is a fairly new one, and right now its main focus is on consumer products. That’s partially because it is growing from a consumer base: What has made them possible is the smartphone revolution, which drove down the price on the tiny electronic components needed to turn low-power remote control aircraft into flying robots that navigate, communicate, and sense. While defense contractors were making expensive and powerful drones for the US military, hobbyists were basically bolting iPhones onto remote-controlled helicopters.
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finish this and u are ok ;-) http://www.ibertour.com/index.php/en/courses/atpl-air-transport-pilot
@Stephan: Good feedback. We often overlook the power requirements of devices like transponders. That is a point well taken.
I also support your suggestion of an altitude restriction of no more than 400 AGL. If it can be this simple as a way to avoid FAA restriction, I am sure most light UAV operators will be supportive. However we may also need to include maximum weight in the mix. The agricultural UAV's we are working pn weigh under 10 pounds fully outfitted with gear and batteries. I have heard some people suggest a maximum weight of 12.5 pounds may be a good benchmark for maximum weight.
The other element that may be a challenge is the difference between commercial and non commercial use of the UAV in the view of the FAA. While it will be great if the FAA's rulings approve the recreational use of light UAV's under 400 feet AGL with no other limitation. It will be devastating to our progress if commercial applications are treated differently. Someone who we spoke to a few days ago who is working with the FAA, stated that they felt that the FAA will impose stringent manufacturing guidelines as well as commercial aircraft type maintenance procedures for any UAV used for commercial applications.
Is there anyone in the DIY community who is working with the FAA or the ASTM to protect our interest?
Bret C
That number (30K) was just a baseline for FAA action.
@Circuitburner- you touched on an important issue.
I don't see a any common voice to protect or speak on behalf of the small UAV's and to protect us from unnecessary legislation.
We (users of small UAV's) have several advisories. Some of them just don't understand the small UAV's while other groups don't care - they just don't like small UAV's and want them controlled. We are being pinched between large UAV companies, pilot associations, privacy activists and various institutions who support legislation. Of course the common thread is either unfounded fear or greed.
@Dennis excellent overview of potential uses for UAs.
Part of the challenge as I understand it, the pending FAA rulings may lump UAVs into three categories, over 50 pounds, under 50 pounds and under 25 (<25 pound for rescue type UAVs). Also, as I understand it - there is the potential that the pending FAA guidelines will enforce aircraft type (ASTM) certified manufacturing, components and maintenance for any UAV used for commercial applications. So, a six pound foam UAS used for crop scouting may be required to be built and maintained to the same standards as a regular aircraft.
This is insane. The only way we have a chance to get the pending legislation changed is to meet with your elected officials and ask for their help and support of small UAV's (under 12.5 pounds).
Ultimately the topics of regulation and patents are only a short term concern. We are moments away from printing (or growing) our own MEMS IMUs, batteries, motors, etc.
The future is about raw materials and knowledge.
Landfill mining tech will be a big business, second only to knowledge and learning structures.
Morality is going to be an all or nothing issue. It's impossible for us to have a continued technical evolution and maintain our destructive desires.
I start to work on drone technology 5 years ago . This year in Italy ENAC the Italian FAA open the commercial market , so we creating a startup company that put togheter best guys that i know in italy in last 5 years of development. I think that the drone will be a big opportunity for future commercial market and opportunity . The huge market is in filmography , aeropicture and survey .
Best
Roberto Navoni
We are proactively working with our elected officials to keep heavy-handed legislation away from small UAV’s, specifically for use in the agricultural industry. Last Friday we met with our local state senator to explain the potential UAV’s can play in agriculture in Kansas. He is assisting us by suggesting a plan for us to meet with our congressmen and governor to also explain the roll small UAV’s using aerial imagery can play in agriculture in Kansas.
Soon we will meet with our elected officials so they can touch, hold and feel a foam-flying wing, which weighs less than seven pounds when fully outfitted for agronomy work. We will explain how agricultural missions can be managed and the benefits to the farmers.
I believe if elected officials can understand the concept of small UAV’s as well as the benefits to farmers, they will be in a better position to protect their use from difficult legislation.
With this thought in mind, I encourage others to also meet with your elected officials so they can understand what a small UAV is as well as their capabilities to benefit the public.
This thread kicks ass.
One strategy, I haven't seen mentioned specifically, is the education arena. Robots need to become a fundamental part of math and science curriculum for students of all ages. There is no better way to "normalize" a technology than through adoption by the next generation.
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