Drones threatening commercial a/c?
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 463
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From: Canada
Of course, you'd still need to add ADS-B transmitters to all the aircraft around here that don't transmit their location...
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 463
Likes: 0
From: Canada
1. A 3D printer.
2. A few pieces of commonplace electrical and electronic gear.
3. Some open-source software downloaded off the Internet.
No sales restrictions are going to stop those becoming ubiquitous. They'll be following people around posting selfies on Facebook before the decade is out.
Edit: BTW, I think there may be a bigger threat to commercial aircraft from drones than colliding with them. VR is suddenly becoming big again as the technology has reached the point where it's technically viable without many of the problems of the past (high cost, low resolution, nausea, etc). Today, if I want to go and visit the wonders of the world, I have to get on a plane and fly there. Ten years from now, I could put on a VR headset, rent a drone, and fly it over the Internet. That tech is only going to get better over time, and will be much cheaper than an airline ticket.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Nottinghamshire
Lords Urge Civilian Drone Database - NATS Blog
This entrance on the NATS Blog from the 13th March:
Lords urge civilian drones database | NATS Blog
Dont see how it will stop them 'illegal' flights...
Lords urge civilian drones database | NATS Blog
Dont see how it will stop them 'illegal' flights...
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 113
From: UK
Amazon drone trial gets US regulator approval
Picked this off the BBC website this morning
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon's plans to begin testing drones for online deliveries.
The FAA said it had granted Amazon a certificate for people with pilot's licenses to test the unmanned aircraft.
The drones must be flown at 400 feet or below during daylight hours, and must remain within sight of the pilot.
Under US law, operating drones for commercial purposes is illegal.
However, those rules are under revision by the FAA, which is expected to issue new rules regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft for commercial and recreational purposes.
Amazon had asked the US regulator for approval to begin the tests last July.
In December, the firm warned that it might begin testing the programme - known as Amazon Prime Air - in other countries.
"Without approval of our testing in the United States, we will be forced to continue expanding our Prime Air R&D footprint abroad," wrote Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, in a letter to the FAA at the time.
As part of this ruling, the internet retail giant must also provide data on the number of flights conducted and any other relevant information, on a monthly basis.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Amazon's plans to begin testing drones for online deliveries.
The FAA said it had granted Amazon a certificate for people with pilot's licenses to test the unmanned aircraft.
The drones must be flown at 400 feet or below during daylight hours, and must remain within sight of the pilot.
Under US law, operating drones for commercial purposes is illegal.
However, those rules are under revision by the FAA, which is expected to issue new rules regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft for commercial and recreational purposes.
Amazon had asked the US regulator for approval to begin the tests last July.
In December, the firm warned that it might begin testing the programme - known as Amazon Prime Air - in other countries.
"Without approval of our testing in the United States, we will be forced to continue expanding our Prime Air R&D footprint abroad," wrote Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, in a letter to the FAA at the time.
As part of this ruling, the internet retail giant must also provide data on the number of flights conducted and any other relevant information, on a monthly basis.
Flashes from the Archives of Oblivion
Joined: Jan 2000
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 189
From: 03 ACE
Here's a report of a drone thought to have been deliberately flown close (within 80 feet) to a commercial aircraft on approach at London Southend Airport. This event follows an American report of a drone nearly colliding with a passenger plane near Tallahassee's airport in March of this year; that near-collision happened at an altitude of over 2,000 feet.
Report: Drone nearly collided with British passenger plane on purpose
Do drones of this size present much of a danger to these aircraft? Would they be roughly equivalent to a bird strike? Could colliding with one bring a plane down?
Apparently the UK's BALPA will have a representative speak before the House of Lords this week about their concerns, so it sounds serious.
Report: Drone nearly collided with British passenger plane on purpose
Do drones of this size present much of a danger to these aircraft? Would they be roughly equivalent to a bird strike? Could colliding with one bring a plane down?
Apparently the UK's BALPA will have a representative speak before the House of Lords this week about their concerns, so it sounds serious.
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 0
From: Florida and wherever my laptop is
Not only that but they have to be 'piloted' they are not allowed to automatically fly a trajectory. This approval is meaningless apart confirming that a small UAS can carry a package, and of course the weight must remain within the limit for small UAS.
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: uk
presumably amazon arranges for a number of deliveries in the operational radius and a van takes them there together with the drone. the driver then oversees the dispatch and recovery process. probably gets another 4p an hour for this extra responsibility....
as for risks of meeting one on finals, on-drone tcas should take care of that.
before long we may all be in slightly larger drones anyway.
as for risks of meeting one on finals, on-drone tcas should take care of that.
before long we may all be in slightly larger drones anyway.
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 113
From: UK
T-mobile netherlands to use drones to run network hardware checks
see article
T-Mobile Netherlands to use drones to run network hardware checks | Press Wire | News
T-Mobile Netherlands will become the first European operator to use drones to inspect the condition of its network infrastructure.
The operator said that by using drones, it will save time and money on maintenance of its network. The first use of the drone will take place in mid-July.
Across the Netherlands, T-Mobile manages more than 5,000 antenna locations............
T-Mobile Netherlands to use drones to run network hardware checks | Press Wire | News
T-Mobile Netherlands will become the first European operator to use drones to inspect the condition of its network infrastructure.
The operator said that by using drones, it will save time and money on maintenance of its network. The first use of the drone will take place in mid-July.
Across the Netherlands, T-Mobile manages more than 5,000 antenna locations............
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 40
From: Relocating at present.
@Sunamer
From their site;
Have a look;
Sagetech | Unmanned Transponder Solutions
The Sagetech website offers In solutions for 1400 bucks, if I am correct. Something tell me that Out will be "a bit" more costly.
And Out solution isn't available yet:
And Out solution isn't available yet:
Versions Available
Mode C Transponder – Small, high reliability solution for Mode A and Mode C requirements (Mark XA AIMS certified version is also available)
Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out – Enhance your safety of flight, thanks to increased visibility afforded by NextGen's ADS-B
Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out and GPS – Include your GPS location in Mode S communications
Mode C Transponder – Small, high reliability solution for Mode A and Mode C requirements (Mark XA AIMS certified version is also available)
Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out – Enhance your safety of flight, thanks to increased visibility afforded by NextGen's ADS-B
Mode S Transponder with ADS-B Out and GPS – Include your GPS location in Mode S communications
Sagetech | Unmanned Transponder Solutions
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Yardley, PA
Opendoor, Sagetech doesn't give prices for the transponders you linked to, one must contact a sales engineer. Does anyone here have any idea of price? I'm guessing it's in the $3,000 to $5,000 range.
I find these transponders very interesting. They're clearly not ready for use just yet, as their certifications are listed as "in-progress". They're also a bit power hungry compared to my Trig. But I'm happy to see that at least one company is working on such items!
I find these transponders very interesting. They're clearly not ready for use just yet, as their certifications are listed as "in-progress". They're also a bit power hungry compared to my Trig. But I'm happy to see that at least one company is working on such items!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 1
From: US/EU
Amazon Receives New Delivery Drone Test Approval From U.S. FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration gave the online retailer a waiver allowing flights as fast as 100 miles (161 kilometers) an hour and as high as 400 feet off the ground, according to a letter dated Wednesday posted on its website.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: UK
100 mph.....jeez, that's some energy to be dissipated when it crashes into something. Are these Amazon things going to be pilotless as I can't see the economics of a 1:1 relationship between 'driver' and drone.
I can't help but think that society has really lost the plot. Does it really matter if your latest DVD of Game of Thrones takes a day or two longer to reach you?
I can't help but think that society has really lost the plot. Does it really matter if your latest DVD of Game of Thrones takes a day or two longer to reach you?
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
Drones cut short aerobatic display by SA Air Force
From: News24
An unauthorised drone cut short a Silver Falcon aerobatic display at the Rand Show in Johannesburg on Friday, Netwerk24 reported.
A man launched his drone to take aerial photos while the South African Air Force’s Silver Falcon team was busy with its routine above the Nasrec showgrounds.
Air show commentator Brian Emmenis said he immediately requested the person flying the drone to land it.
Emmenis said the Silver Falcons ended the display shortly afterwards, while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had been informed about the incident.
It is illegal to fly such a device without authorisation. The drone was reportedly flying higher than 200 feet (60 metres).
Danger
A member of the Silver Falcon team told Netwerk24 such a device could endanger lives if it collided with a plane.
“The Silver Falcons fly at approximately 500km/h. Besides causing damage to the plane it, the debris could hit people. The plane could even crash,” the source said.
Show director Pula Dippenaar said organisers were aware of the incident.
“The Silver Falcons were already busy with their display when the drone was spotted above the trees,” Dippenaar said.
“The air show programme was delayed until the drone operator was found. The incident was in the hands of the relevant authorities for investigation,” she said.
“We are aware that drones are used for photography and we will keep this in mind for future accreditation,” Dippenaar said.
An unauthorised drone cut short a Silver Falcon aerobatic display at the Rand Show in Johannesburg on Friday, Netwerk24 reported.
A man launched his drone to take aerial photos while the South African Air Force’s Silver Falcon team was busy with its routine above the Nasrec showgrounds.
Air show commentator Brian Emmenis said he immediately requested the person flying the drone to land it.
Emmenis said the Silver Falcons ended the display shortly afterwards, while the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had been informed about the incident.
It is illegal to fly such a device without authorisation. The drone was reportedly flying higher than 200 feet (60 metres).
Danger
A member of the Silver Falcon team told Netwerk24 such a device could endanger lives if it collided with a plane.
“The Silver Falcons fly at approximately 500km/h. Besides causing damage to the plane it, the debris could hit people. The plane could even crash,” the source said.
Show director Pula Dippenaar said organisers were aware of the incident.
“The Silver Falcons were already busy with their display when the drone was spotted above the trees,” Dippenaar said.
“The air show programme was delayed until the drone operator was found. The incident was in the hands of the relevant authorities for investigation,” she said.
“We are aware that drones are used for photography and we will keep this in mind for future accreditation,” Dippenaar said.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 28
From: UK/OZ
Mandatory Strobes will occasionaly seriously adversely affect photography and video applications. Particularly on days where there is airborn water or dust particles as they will be illuminated by the strobes.
Last edited by mickjoebill; 12th April 2015 at 15:26.
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 14
From: Alba
It's just a matter of time before we read about a drone bringing down an airliner.
What about rifles, of which there are millions in the USA (not so many in Europe, not sure about Russia)?
How many airliners come in with a few bullet holes, or even neat rows of bullet holes? None I've heard of. Imagining problems isn't helping.
You can try banning drones, but it wouldn't work. But you have no chance of banning (in USA) those weapons that could do far more damage and are readily available to people with terror in mind. Americans seem happy to live with that risk.
If it is the nutjobs, who think it's fun to buzz an airliner, you want to contain, why not try some education?
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: space
"It is illegal to fly such a device without authorisation. The drone was reportedly flying higher than 200 feet (60 metres) "
Not really sure - they would have canceled the show if there was a stork flying "higher than 60m" ?
Why drones are special ?
(i'm not endorsing what he did , don't fly anything near air traffic should be common knowledge to any RC operator )
Another question
Would THIS "camera drone"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYe9O_qhJWs
get CAA to do some incident paperwork ?
Not really sure - they would have canceled the show if there was a stork flying "higher than 60m" ?
Why drones are special ?
(i'm not endorsing what he did , don't fly anything near air traffic should be common knowledge to any RC operator )
Another question
Would THIS "camera drone"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYe9O_qhJWs
get CAA to do some incident paperwork ?
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 224
Likes: 113
From: UK
Drone sighting near Manchester Airport diverts flights
From the BBC website today (though heaven knows where runway one is)
Flights were diverted for a short time at Manchester Airport after a drone was spotted close to the flight path.
The police helicopter was scrambled at about 11:20 BST after flight crews on two separate planes reported seeing the drone in the airspace.
An investigation was carried out and Runway One closed for 20 minutes but nothing was found, police said.
An airport spokesman said some flights experienced short delays but all operations have now resumed as normal.
John Mayhew, general manager for air traffic services at Manchester Airport, said: "Flying drones in the close vicinity to any airport without permission is completely unacceptable, with the reported sighting causing delays to inbound and outbound traffic and the diversion of a small number aircraft to other airports.
"The matter has now been referred to the police."
Flights were diverted for a short time at Manchester Airport after a drone was spotted close to the flight path.
The police helicopter was scrambled at about 11:20 BST after flight crews on two separate planes reported seeing the drone in the airspace.
An investigation was carried out and Runway One closed for 20 minutes but nothing was found, police said.
An airport spokesman said some flights experienced short delays but all operations have now resumed as normal.
John Mayhew, general manager for air traffic services at Manchester Airport, said: "Flying drones in the close vicinity to any airport without permission is completely unacceptable, with the reported sighting causing delays to inbound and outbound traffic and the diversion of a small number aircraft to other airports.
"The matter has now been referred to the police."
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,569
Likes: 1
From: Florida