Thousands of farmers and ranchers have gathered in Orlando this week for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show. A highlight for attendees was a session where they learned about the advantages and practical considerations of using unmanned aerial vehicles during a workshop presented by the UnmannedFarmer Robert Blair, a fourth-generation farmer and vice president … Read More
B4UFLY App Communicates NAS Flight Restrictions
B4UFLY has been released to iOS users (Android version is in beta). B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Key features of the B4UFLY app include: – A clear “status” indicator that immediately informs the operator about the … Read More
FAA Warns About Scam Registration Sites
As the end of the free registration period nears, more UAV owners may be heading online to get their devices registered. The Federal Aviation Administration wants unmanned aircraft owners to know that there’s no need to work with a “drone registration” company to help them file an application for a registration number. The FAA drone registration site is simple and … Read More
FAA Requires UAS Registration
Today the FAA announced new regulations requiring drone (UAS) registration for recreational and hobby users of UAS. The registration process is for owners of small unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, including payloads such as on-board cameras or sensors. Those 13 and older who have purchased a drone prior to December 21, 2015, must … Read More
PrecisionHawk Named To UAS Task Force
PrecisionHawk was one of approx. 25 diverse representatives selected by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta this week, as they announced the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The group will advise the Department on which aircraft should be exempt from registration due to a … Read More
NCGA: UAS Good for Farmers, Consumer & Environment
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, must register their systems with the federal government. A task force will be created to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). “As with any technology, unmanned aerial systems will make our farms safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. That’s … Read More
Thermal Grade Cameras for Drones
FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced the addition of FLIR Vue™ thermal imaging camera series for drones. The FLIR Vue Pro offers expanded options such as precision thermal imaging, enhanced data collection capabilities, in-flight control of camera functions, and simple mobile apps. In addition to providing the same easy power-in/analog video-out connection that has been so popular on the FLIR Vue, the … Read More
UAV Safety Campaign Announced by NAAA
The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is begining a UAV safety campaign aimed at the agriculture community. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness and prevent accidents between UAV operators and low-altitude manned aircraft. The first step of the campaign was to create a UAV “safety stuffer,” a double-sided insert that illustrates safety concerns of pilots about hard-to-see UAVs. The … Read More
Farm Bureau Releases Drones in Ag Study
The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with drone solutions company Measure, have released a study that identifies and quantifies the benefits of drone technology in precision agriculture. “While lots of drone hardware has been sold to farmers, until today no tool existed to help growers actually quantify whether the benefits exceed their costs, especially when farmers want to outsource these … Read More
Corn Farmers Learn About Drones
National Corn Growers Association president Chip Bowling got a first-hand drone demo in his home state of Maryland last week. The demonstration was one of several educational tours for NCGA board members highlighting advances in technology and sustainability, as well as diversified farming operations. Bowling, left, got a lesson in flying an unmanned aerial system from Matthew Creger of Maryland-based … Read More