Canadian UAS technology company AVIDRONE Aerospace Incorporated has secured an investment and formed a business alliance with a Japanese professional UAS manufacturer called PRODRONE Co. Ltd.
In an effort to revolutionize the commercial and industrial markets with “new ways to gather data, increase security, and deliver goods,” the two companies will combine their decades of UAS research and development to manufacture UAS that are innovative, as well as custom autopilot systems.
The companies say that their products will be able to transport items weighing between 0.5 kilograms to over 250 kilograms at speeds approaching 200 kilometers per hour, thanks to a “specially developed industrial autopilot system and drone designs.”
UAS
UAS
Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 UAS completes five-day flight
Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 UAS recently completed a historic flight, as it flew for a little over five days for a total of 121.4 hours.
After taking off on October 18 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, the UAS began its long endurance test flight, and landed safely 5.1 days later, with three days of fuel remaining on board.
Vanilla Aircraft says that the flight is the “longest flight for an ultra-long endurance unmanned aircraft system that has the capability of carrying a payload of significant size weight and power that can meet or exceed military and commercial requirements.”
Measure to provide UAS services for arts and entertainment industry through new division
Measure, which provides UAS services for enterprise customers, has announced its new division called Measure Media (M2), which will be used to service the arts and entertainment industry.
M2 operates the first nationwide network of full-time UAS pilots that specialize in fulfilling the airborne storytelling needs of small screen and big screen projects alike.
During its first two months, M2 operated in stealth mode, but it has already worked with a wide range of customers, including pop star Rihanna, and television networks ABC and CBS.
Northern Maine Community College incorporating UAS into curriculum
Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) Wind Power Technology Instructor Wayne Kilcollins, who recently became certified to fly UAS for business and work, will begin teaching Wind Power Technology students at the college about UAS.
Kilcollins will use his knowledge to teach students about the technology, and demonstrate how to use UAS to inspect wind turbine blades and nacelles. Kilcollins will do this, in part, using a UAS that NMCC purchased.
“We always aim to provide our students with the latest industry practices to keep them highly competitive in the workforce,” Kilcollins says.
Premium Inspection and Testing Group acquires LandBros Aerial
Premium Inspection and Testing Group has acquired a Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based industrial UAS services provider called LandBros Aerial.
Through the acquisition, Landbros Aerial’s services and capabilities will be integrated as a specialized department within an Operating Division of Premium Inspection and Testing Group called Capitol Ultrasonics LLC.
LandBros Aerial will keep its current leadership.
“LandBros is excited to bring our strengths to the Premium Inspection and Testing Group team and continuing to stay at the forefront of the industrial drone market,” says Danny Landry, President of LandBros Aerial.
ProSky Studio achieves ARGUS Unmanned Gold Rating
ProSky Studio, which is a full-service aerial UAS provider, has achieved ARGUS International's ARGUS Unmanned Gold Rating, which is one of three achievable ARGUS Ratings for unmanned operators.
In order to earn the ARGUS Unmanned Gold Rating, unmanned operators must meet several criteria, including having at least one UAS in operation, they must have pilot backgrounds checked, and they must be a legal entity with applicable insurance.
“More than ever, creating a culture of safety is paramount within the rapidly expanding Unmanned Aerial Systems industry,” says Joe Moeggenberg, ARGUS CEO and Founder.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) has announced the adoption and release of the Standards for Public Safety Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Programs, which were developed by the Public Safety Aviation Accreditation Commission (PSAAC), “under contract to ALEA for use by the public safety aviation community.” Public safety agencies considering using small UAS as a part of their operations are encouraged to use these standards as a guiding document. Public safety agencies already using small UAS as a part of their operations are encouraged to “review these standards and perform an internal gap analysis to determine their compliance with industry best practices.” (ALEA)
Marke F. 'Hoot' Gibson named new CEO of NUAIR Alliance
Major General Marke F. “Hoot” Gibson (ret), who most recently served as Senior Advisor on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration to the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has been named the new CEO of the NUAIR Alliance.
As CEO, Gibson, who will begin working in his new role on Nov. 13, will lead NUAIR’s oversight of UAS testing being conducted in New York, Massachusetts and Michigan, as well as a $30 million investment by New York State to build a 50-mile UTM Corridor.
“My vision is to create an unsurpassed ‘innovation friendly’ environment for UAS research, testing and operation,” Gibson says.
AUVSI to Offer Special Membership to Public Safety Professionals Through Partnership with National Council on Public Safety UAS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
DJI set to open first UAS arena in Japan
On Oct. 21, DJI will open its first UAS arena in Japan called “DJI Arena By JDRONE Tokyo.”
A variety of capabilities and features will be offered at the arena, including a flying area that is equipped with safety nets and an adjustable circuit for those that are interested in testing their flying skills. This area will also give UAS enthusiasts a place to fly year round regardless of weather conditions outside.
The arena also has a retail store, which will showcase the company’s consumer, professional, and enterprise products, giving customers the opportunity to purchase the latest technology released by DJI. Technical support will also be offered at the arena.