This week, Greg discusses the upcoming FAA recreational drone knowledge test, an update from the ULC tort law, the results of the AI vs DRL Pilot challenge, and Precision Hawk raising $32 million to build the next generation of drone software and services.
Become a better drone pilot with our array of courses:
Part 107 Made Easy: become a commercial drone pilot with our ground school course featuring 12.5 hours of content, free mobile Flashcard app, 11-page cheatsheet, unlimited practice tests, guarantee you will pass or your money back and we pay for your retake.
25% off with this link: https://sso.teachable.com/secure/245841/checkout/1308138/part-107-remote-pilot?coupon_code=YTNEWSUPDATE
Drone Flying 101: the perfect course for beginners. Learn the regulation, airspace, how to complete your first flight, and tons more.
25% off with this link: https://sso.teachable.com/secure/245841/checkout/926158/drone-flying-101?coupon_code=YTNEWSUPDATE
Drone Maneuvers Mastery: become a better pilot with these 50 maneuvers designed to improve your flying skills and confidence while flying your drone.
25% off with this link: https://sso.teachable.com/secure/245841/checkout/1356037/drone-maneuvers-guide?coupon_code=YTNEWSUPDATE
Cinematic FPV Drone From Scratch: build your own cinematic machine with this course.
25% off with this link: https://sso.teachable.com/secure/245841/checkout/1480031/build-the-ultimate-fpv-drone?coupon_code=HALFOFF
Script/links:
Hobbyist Aeronautical Test Update
We talked about the FAA Hobbyist Aeronautical test a few weeks ago and this week the FAA released the name of the stakeholder who will advise the agency on how to administer the test.
The list includes Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, DJI, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the Drone Racing League.
The Test will be required for all hobbyists, including Remote Pilots. There is no indication on the cost of the test yet or the content.
https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=94805&fbclid=IwAR1xj9C9nC84jObwP-w9jLlq2FaHfbO25gSiqR8mY4LC-1MJYqXPjv4_zbY
ULC Tort Law update
Back in June, we published a series of videos explaining the ULC Tort Law.
The ULC was trying to propose uniform laws that states could use, regarding drone flights.
They initially were trying to restrict the first 200 feet of airspace.
Industry stakeholders convinced the ULC to drop the 200 ft law and a vote was expected in the summer of 2019.
At the last minute, property rights people (who were not involved in the drafting process) threw a wrench in the vote and the vote did not happen.
This week, after discussion between UAS Stakeholders and the Property Rights folks, the ULC decided to table the discussion until RemoteID becomes a thing.
AI vs DRL Pilot challenge
A few weeks ago, I reported on the AlphaPilot challenge, a DRL competition that saw teams create AI-powered drones who competes during various races.
The winning team, MAVLab, won $1m and competed against one of the best DRL Pilot, Gab707.
The DRL pilot won the competition, completing the lap 5 seconds faster than its AI counterpart.
https://dronelife.com/2019/12/09/alphapilot-challenge-winning-ai-team-drl-pilot/
Precision Hawk
Precision Hawk announced this week that they raised $32 million to build the next generation of drone software and services.
PrecisionHawk currently provides enterprise software solutions for the Agriculture and energy sectors.
They also run the Drone Pilot network droners.io which offers jobs to individual pilots, similar to DroneUp and DroneBase.
https://www.precisionhawk.com/blog/media/topic/precisionhawk-raises-32million-to-advance-next-phase-of-growth-in-commercial-drones
Related Posts
Syma X5HC-1 Outdoor Flight, Altitude Hold and Camera Demo
Failing at flying a kids toy ( I crashed it into several things)
Fastest Heat of 2018 SA Nationals
the empty street – justone
Greg you have it correct in the description under the video but in the video you indicated the human beat the AI drone by 5 minutes. I had previously read the article on the AI and DRL race so I knew it was 5 seconds. You may want to go back and put a correction label in the video on this.
Hi unrelated to today’s video. Is it possible for a Part 107 pilot to get permission to fly in US National Parks? Also, I’d like to update you on efforts to stimulate film production in Prescott!
As always, great content. Thanks for keeping the UAS community informed of the rapidly changing drone world!
Greg,…..would like to hear your thoughts about this….
My question is about the FAA hobbyist test. Would you happen to know if the exam will be an online examination that could be taken through the FAA site? Or a test that requires the individual to travel to the airport for the exam?
I’m already registered on the (IACRA) site from my previous Part107 examination. Would hate to have to go back to the airport to test again. Sure it’ll be an inconvenience for a lot of people as they’ll likely be way more hobbyist than PT107 pilots.
Thanks for any information.
will it cost to take the test? how many ? will it have? what is in the test? this will determain if i have to pay to take the test or retake it… im done… if i have to pay every few years to do it im done.. if the cost to register a drone is more than 5 bucks every 3 years im done.. this is becoming redicilouse the faa stepped over its bounds and obama saw that and stopped them trump screwed us over and vetoed that because why hes all for business and the faa can use this new law to make millions of free money
first you people that ruined it for the rest of us thanks for that…. im talking to you trappy and you fpv pilots that fly far out and disreguard and dont care about things.. thanks for that…. thank god for the mavic mini i dont have to put up with this… who wants a phantom pro 3 good price 500 plus shipping 2 batts controller brand new… contact me