SUMMARY: Unmanned aircraft systems have incredible potential toward combating the world-wide nuisance and potential health epidemic posed by mosquito populations. Drones offer the ability to detect and eliminate mosquito breeding pools more rapidly and cost effectively than traditional mosquito control methods. PROBLEM: Throughout recorded history, mosquitos have been the cause of substantial human misery, disease, and death. The number of emerging infectious diseases that

New homes may fall victim to neglectful property owners of neighboring lots who fail to take necessary action MIAMI BEACH - The City of Miami Beach is slated to spend over $400 million over the next five years to combat sea level rise, according to the Miami Herald. A substantial portion of this funding will be used to raise streets, install new pumps, and increase public seawalls to a minimum height of 5.7 feet NAVD (North American Vertical Datum) above mean sea level. While

Watch Airborne Response Founder and CEO Christopher Todd speak to Glenna Milberg from WPLG Local 10 News ABC about the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Miami Beach. Airborne Response launched a UAS before and after the storm to gauge environmental impact on the shoreline. #MiamiBeach #WPLGLocal10 #GlennaMilberg #ChristopherTodd #MediaAppearance #HurricaneMatthew #Drone #UAS #UAV

SUMMARY: Unmanned aerial vehicles can be a crucial tool for oil and gas companies who need to monitor their assets for potentially environmentally damaging leakage. UAV's can quickly assess a large area safely, and cost effectively. PROBLEM: Natural gas leaks and other emission pollution that remains unchecked can emit several tons of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere causing a potential manmade disaster. Over the course of 112 days this precise scenario happened in 2016 as

SUMMARY: Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are useful tools to help maritime researchers track and monitor marine wildlife. Drones and SmartBalloons provide scientists with a cost effective aerial resource to gain new data about their research subjects. PROBLEM: The traditional research methods for studying marine wildlife typically involve monitoring the subjects from at or below the surface of the water. The high cost of aviation has never made it a feasible solution for mar

SUMMARY: UAV data combined with photogrammetry allows major infrastructure companies to survey their assets with an accuracy that compares favorable to terrestrial LiDAR, but more rapidly, with greater coverage, and at a fraction of the cost. These firms can now perform proactive asset management, and apply tools and methodologies that detect trends and problems before they become real-world safety risks. PROBLEM: Major infrastructure assets like large bridges and dams requir

On Saturday, September 10, 2016 New Zealand pilot Tim Vincent achieved the amazing goal of flying an unmanned aircraft system a total of 425 kilometers (264 miles) on a single battery pack. The flight of the Vigilant C1 aircraft made by RPFlightSystems, Inc. lasted 7 hours and 48 minutes and took place on a circular 2 km course of the UAS was located near a shoreline. Vincent shaved as much weight off the aircraft frame as possible (even opting to lose the servos which contro

While many commercial drone operators are either operating within the guidelines of existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Section 333 exemptions or seeking certification via the new FAA Part 107 certification process, many renegade commercial UAV operators continue to fly in national airspace without proper training or certification. This is creating a dangerous black market of drone operators that should be a priority for the FAA. Jonathan Daniels, CEO and co-fou

William Merideth saw the drone flying over his backyard where is daughter was playing and became annoyed. So annoyed that he pointed a shotgun into the sky and shot down the UAV sparking a national debate; is it legal to shoot down a drone "hovering" over your backyard in Federal air space? Merideth, who dubs himself "The Drone Slayer," claims he was protecting his daughter. He says he did not know what the drone was for or what it was doing. David Boggs, the drone owner an

One of the standing requirements the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established for the safe and effective operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) is that they must be flown within a direct line-of-sight of the Pilot in Command (PIC). Yet some companies are already starting to look beyond the horizon by applying for a special exemption (waiver, a/k/a COA) that will allow them to operate without this restriction in place. Only three companies; CNN, BNSF Rai

9/11; the moniker still continues to stir tense feelings 15 years. I had lived in Lower Manhattan in New York City for almost two years. I looked at the Twin Towers every day when I walked out my front door. I had been to events at Window's on the World, lingered in the World Trade Center (WTC) plaza, and often simply admired these iconic landmarks with quiet pride for what they represented. I left New York on the morning of September 1, 2001 to move back to Miami. Litt

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is predicting there will be 2.5 million unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) -- also known as "drones" -- in use by the end of 2016. The FAA projects that number will triple to more than 7 million by 2020. With this many aircraft filling our skies, American cities are surly in for new challenges as to how they adapt to ever-expanding UAS operations. Issues such as safety, privacy, nuisance, and trespassing concerns surrounding UAS' are

Flying somewhat under the radar, the the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center – part of the Department of Homeland Security – posted this solicitation late last week seeking a contractor willing to provide five small drones and an accompanying training center to teach law enforcement officers how to operate sUAS. Speculation is abundant as various pundits are attempting to read the tea leaves to ascertain precisely what the request means. However one thing is clear; DHS r

SUMMARY: Allstate Insurance, one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., is finding that using UAS drones to survey rooftops on homes is as good, if not better, than traditional inspection methods and can actually help expedite the claims process and lead to increased cost savings. PROBLEM: Intense hailstorms from April to June severely damaged the roofs on over 20 homes covered by Allstate. The homes are located just outside of San Antonio, Texas. Initially, Allsta

SUMMARY: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) represent a tremendous opportunity for small U.S. Coast Guard units without direct aviation assets to monitor potential environmental hazards such as fuel leaks from distressed vessels. PROBLEM: On Tuesday, August 30 the M/V Jane Delta, a 80-foot Azimut motor yacht docked in the 4900 block of Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, Florida began sinking in her mooring slip. Alarmed residents contacted Coast Guard Sector Miami which promptly dep

Once considered the domain of the military and quasi-secret government entities, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) have now arrived on the main stage for consumers, organizations, and communities of all sizes to embrace. Labeled Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the realm of commercial UAS use is now governed by FAA Part 107 -- the first series of "operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to use unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, for construction p