69th Drone Detachment

The Drone Dictionary: Glossary of UAS Acronyms and Abbreviations

This document is intended to aid the reader in deciphering the numerous technical terms, acronyms, and abbreviations found in virtually all literature about drones and their associated technology (and especially those encountered in reading FAA rules and NPRM, as well as terms used in Part 107 study guides). It covers terms from avionics, computer systems,Continue reading “The Drone Dictionary: Glossary of UAS Acronyms and Abbreviations”

Evaluating the Remote ID Proposal: Stakeholders & Interests

Before evaluating the FAA’s proposed rules for Remote ID (& Tracking), FAA docket number 2020-1100, we must consider the stakeholders, their interests, and their influence. Some of the stakeholders were represented in the 2017 FAA Aviation Rule-making Committee (ARC) for Remote ID and Tracking (of UAS). They were law enforcement, national security, large corporations, commercialContinue reading “Evaluating the Remote ID Proposal: Stakeholders & Interests”

The ‘Red (Drone) Peril’

China sure entered the drone world in a big way. The Chinese company DJI controls the major segment of the commercial drone world, while Chinese military drones are selling like hotcakes around the world. These drones (looking suspiciously like the original U.S. drones) are much cheaper (and more obtainable) than U.S. drones. China is onContinue reading “The ‘Red (Drone) Peril’”

Better Remote ID for UAS Traffic Management (UTM)?

A sensible plan for remote identification of drones would be based on the following criteria: Allow implementation on current ‘legacy’ drones Require a firmware upgrade, at most Function in areas with limited or no internet or wireless services Provide a UUID (Unique UAS ID) Not interfere with existing ATC or communications systems Protect the securityContinue reading “Better Remote ID for UAS Traffic Management (UTM)?”

Commercial Drone Alliance: Champions of Progress?

In this second part of the CDA blog, I answer (or attempt to answer) the second half of the question initially posed: CDA – Bully or Boon? In the previous post, I examined how the CDA appears to be a bully, in pushing their agenda and pushing recreational UAS (RUAS) from the skies. In thisContinue reading “Commercial Drone Alliance: Champions of Progress?”

The Commercial Drone Alliance – Bully or Beneficial?

The CDA (Commercial Drone Alliance) is a group that (in their own words) “advocate for the commercial use of drones by reducing barriers to enable this game-changing technology.” The rest of their mission statement and goals can be found on their website (commercialdronealliance.org), but the first sentence is a big enough chunk to digest, forContinue reading “The Commercial Drone Alliance – Bully or Beneficial?”

Killing an All-American Drone Company

It seems that no sooner has an American company poised themselves to rule the commercial and recreational drone worlds than the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) seeks to shoot them down. In the face of a trade embargo with the (communist) Peoples’ Republic of China, of DHS (Department of Homeland Security) warnings of Chinese-made drones potentiallyContinue reading “Killing an All-American Drone Company”

The Right to Keep and… FLY Arms?

Here in the United States, we love our 2A: the good old Second Amendment to the constitution (and second article in the Bill of Rights). We love to argue over every word, every comma, every implied (or explicit) intent. Some hold the right to keep and bear arms sacrosanct. They claim the individual right toContinue reading “The Right to Keep and… FLY Arms?”

Can I Fly My Drone Swarm Here, Officer?

“Gee, officer, I was merely flying my swarm of drones in precise formation at night, covering a grid methodically. What did I do wrong?” Apparently, something is wrong, since the FAA and a variety of law enforcement agencies have been trying to find out who is behind the numerous sightings of drone swarms flying atContinue reading “Can I Fly My Drone Swarm Here, Officer?”