69th Drone Detachment

Draft Response to FAA NPRM for Remote ID of UAS

So, I woke up about midnight, unable to sleep. Rather than toss and turn, I decided to write a draft response to the FAA NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule-Making) for Remote ID (and Tracking) of UAS Unmanned Aircraft Systems). I had planned on reading the NPRM a few more times (I have read it threeContinue reading “Draft Response to FAA NPRM for Remote ID of UAS”

Hey, North Korea- Leave Those Drones Alone

The DPRK (Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea), AKA North Korea, has an undeniably sub-standard air force. Since the South Korean Air Force acquired modern F-35 fighters from the US (just to mention one of the many types of modern planes they have), the ‘north’ is hopelessly out-classed in air capabilities. But a weak economy andContinue reading “Hey, North Korea- Leave Those Drones Alone”

Drones with Feathers?

The advent of ‘bio-mimetic’ drones – drones which mimic biological creatures- has changed the drone world. From the advanced ‘Robo-Raven’ of the US Army to the smaller and cheaper (and less capable) bird and bug drones for sale commercially, the face of flying has changed forever.

A Radio-Navigation Primer

Radio navigation is the process of determining one’s position by use of radio signals. Initially, this was only of interest to ships (and later, to airplanes). The radio signals would provide: Angular position to the transmitter (by signal strength and interferometry) Distance to the transmitter (by time required for the radio signal to reach one’sContinue reading “A Radio-Navigation Primer”

The FPV Freedom Coalition

The community-based organizations (CBO) the FAA recognizes as representing UAS pilots numbers…one. The RC-airplane based Aircraft Modeling Association (AMA) is currently the sole CBO the FAA recognizes. Why this matters to UAS pilots is this; if you have a non-compliant UAS (without Remote ID and tracking capability), you will soon be allowed to fly onlyContinue reading “The FPV Freedom Coalition”

Indonesia Develops New Attack Drone

On the last day of 2019, Indonesia unveiled a new multi-role, attack-capable, MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone. The UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) is called the Elang Hitam (‘Black Eagle’). It was developed by a consortium of Indonesian organizations, including their Air Force, National Institute of Air and Space, and nationally-owned electronics company PTDI.Continue reading “Indonesia Develops New Attack Drone”

Generals- Back in the Line of Fire

Back in the bad old days, generals led men into battle. After all, how could they get men to risk their lives if the leaders weren’t willing to risk their own? So generals led charges, first in line for fame and ‘glory’. Well, that all changed and eventually generals sat in ‘the rear with theContinue reading “Generals- Back in the Line of Fire”

The First Drones

The first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for recreational use were the wind-up helicopters developed in the fourteenth century. In 1804, Sir George Caley (commonly known as the Father of Aviation) developed a bow-powered helicopter and glider. In 1848, John Stringfellow developed the first machine-powered UAV, a steam-powered aircraft with a ten-foot wingspan. The prototype wasContinue reading “The First Drones”

The 69th Drone Detachment

The Story behind the 69th Snowboard Detachment (Airborne) When I was in Iraq, pretty much every flight area had a waiting area (or at least a semi-shelter surrounded by concrete blast barriers). On these walls and barriers were written the logos and names of units passing through…1st Cav, 2/43 Infantry, 1st Marine Division, etc. Well,Continue reading “The 69th Drone Detachment”

The Mavic Mini: Just a Fairweather Drone?

I live in Colorado, so I do most of my (DJI) Mavic Mini flying either in the mountains, or along the foothills next to the mountains. Thus, I fly in wind a lot…steady wind, gusty wind, intermittent thermal wind. I fly in colder temperatures which would challenge any ESC (Electronic Speed Controller). I have oftenContinue reading “The Mavic Mini: Just a Fairweather Drone?”