Welcome to dystopia. What once seemed to be remote events have now come close to us all. What once merely affected the delivery dates of my new drone, has now resulted in more local manifestations; my ski season was cancelled early, the resorts forced to close again their (and our) will. Our right to peaceablyContinue reading “Drones and CoVid-19”
Author Archives: 69th Drone Detachment
Humble(d) FPV Dreams
I sure love flying drones. I started flying a ‘camera drone’…mass-produced, for the masses. As such, the ‘rates’ of control were turned way down, to make it docile and ‘cinematography’ compatible. These Every-man drones have three basic modes: C or cinematography, P or position, and S or sport mode. Each mode has progressively higher rates,Continue reading “Humble(d) FPV Dreams”
Holybro Kopis Cine-whoop Specification Sheet
Type: 3-S/4-S, 3”Mini-Quad, Short Range, Short Endurance (SRSE) Fuselage: Unibody, modified X-frame with attached propeller ducts, 3mm 3K carbon fiber (186g with ducts) Dimensions: (L x W x H) 178 x 205 x 40 mm (7.01 x 8.07 x 1.57”) Wheelbase: 148.6 mm (5.85”) Battery Type: 3 or 4-S (650-1300mAh) Tattu R-Line V3.0Continue reading “Holybro Kopis Cine-whoop Specification Sheet”
My Response the FAA NPRM for UAS Type Certification
FAA Docket 2019-1038 Type Certification of UAS as a special class of aircraft under 14CFR21.17(b) M Mullen comments, page 1 of 2 I request the FAA define the intended certification types, methods, and timeline more thoroughly before making a ruling on Type Certification. The widely-varying types and uses of UAS make one blanket type ofContinue reading “My Response the FAA NPRM for UAS Type Certification”
My Response to FAA NPRM for Remote ID & Tracking
Response to FAA Docket 2019-1100 (Remote ID NPRM) Hello I am writing in response to the FAA NPRM for Remote UAS ID (Docket # 2019-1100). I am a U.S. citizen, a veteran, and a UAS pilot, and would like to address some issues and concerns I had when reading the NPRM, as well as provideContinue reading “My Response to FAA NPRM for Remote ID & Tracking”
Drone Mountaineering: Cool or Creepy?
The sport?…hobby?…pastime?…of “long-range FPV” is slowly growing in popularity. Eclipsed by drone racing and aerobatics, the use of drones to explore mountains and wilderness, to film from viewpoints only eagles could see previously, is finally starting to take hold. Equipped with special equipment for long-range (lower frequency, higher power transmitters, more sensitive receivers, antennae withContinue reading “Drone Mountaineering: Cool or Creepy?”
Pre-Flight Checklist
My pre-flight checklist combines the traditional and adds a number of items I consider necessary to ensure a good (i.e., safe and unobstructed) flight. The traditional ones are relatively simple: -Aircraft working? Inspect thoroughly, tighten screws, clean Batteries charged? Ensure all batteries are charged and balanced Accessories present? Verify all accessories (charger, battery charger packs,Continue reading “Pre-Flight Checklist”
Mocked by an Osprey
Yep, that osprey mocked me…hard
‘See and Avoid’ and the Visual Line of Sight Falsehood
In the US, the law 14 CFR 91.113(b) defines a general applicability requirement in that, during flight “vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.” The FAA reasoned that since Remote Pilots (RP) of UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) are not physically in the cockpit, theyContinue reading “‘See and Avoid’ and the Visual Line of Sight Falsehood”
Drone Racing Classes and Criteria
In drone racing (as in auto racing and other types), the racing is divided into classes. According to Drone Racing Multi GP, classes are important to: 1) -level the playing field so one pilot doesn’t have an advantage over another by using more powerful equipment. This allows the pilot’s skill to win the race, notContinue reading “Drone Racing Classes and Criteria”
A Brave New Drone World 