Unmanned Aerial Systems – A Beginners Guide
An Introduction To The UAS Industry – Training, News and Comment
The FAA gave Amazon permission to start testing their latest UAS delivery service.
I won’t bother discussing the story in detail, or the practical limitations with UAS delivery as the law stands at the moment, i’ve written lots about it.
Just wanted to share the good news, with those who didn’t know. Now you do!
https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=82485
http://www.wired.com/2015/04/amazon-drone-faa-green-light/
TU
Amazon released a statement stating they will still be looking to offer deliveries via UAS, regardless of the new FAA proposals.
Amazon Says FAA Proposals Won’t Ground Drone Delivery Plans
The new regulations are up for discussion for the next few months. Regardless of the outcome, Amazon is expecting it to take two years before these rules are actually implemented.
The main factor which will make or break ‘Drone Delivery’, in the US and UK, is Line of Sight. If FAA regulations stipulate UAS can only be operated a Pilot with Visual Line of Sight, then that stops Amazon, Dominos, Alibaba and so many smaller companies in their tracks.
I don’t expect to see UAV delivery in the UK for at least the next few years. One of the main problems isn’t mid air crashes, as these can be avoided by adhering to UAS height restrictions. I would suggest it will be trying to land safely in a built up residential area that is the difficult part. Overhead phone or electric wires are the obvious concern. What if a UAS lost signal and crashed onto a busy main road or a school, both common place in a residential area. Nothing good is the answer.
This is still a new industry. sometimes its best to walk first. The technology isn’t quiet there yet. ‘Smart Drones’, that can autonomous detect objects and correct course quickly, need to improve…an advanced version of the Optical Positioning system, DJI, have fitted to the new Inspire 1, could be designed to fulfil this task. Smart Drones of the future is the subject of my new post, so till then…..
TU
This is a great video of a company based in Hong Kong, flying a chocolate bar across the city, over rives, mountains, the ocean and huge sky scrapers.
A total of 7 Pilots were used to ensure continued flight, which lasted 14 minutes over 6 miles.
The full article and video can be found at the links below.
http://gizmodo.com/the-gorgeous-view-from-a-delivery-drone-over-hong-kong-1682608931
So thus far we have seen Drones delivery a letter, a small parcel, a pizza and now a chocolate bar. I wonder what will be next? I think Subway or McDonalds might be next!
Thumbs Up!
UPDATE: Here is a video i found showing the first flight. Must have taken weeks to plan
2015 is going to be the year of the Drone. No question in my mind. They were the ‘must have toy’ of 2014 and this year is going to see their application increase in Commercial uses.
As well as Photography, Mapping, Video, Surveying etc, Delivery is a potentially huge market. If companies get it right, governments appropriately regulate, and the public appreciate the benefits, Postman Pat could be resigned to the history books.
Alibaba the Chinese online giant, has started to trial Drone deliveries from the 4th to 6th of Feb.
Here is a link with more info.
I will be keeping an eye on news reports out of China today, and will re-post more info later.
TU!
Unmanned Aerial Systems - A Beginners Guide 