Aero-News Network: The aviation and aerospace world's daily/real-time news and information service

Airborne 05.25.17: DJI Spark!, S. Lakeland Airport, Moon Rock Sample

Also: Airbus Corporate Helos, Airborne Expansion, Gulfstream G600, Gogo Business, MilFuel, Aerion And GE, Pro Line Fusion

DJI has just introduced the Spark, which they call an "easy-to-use, fun-to-fly mini camera drone that lifts off from the palm of your hand to capture and share the special moments in your life on the go." The little drone’s aims are clear... keep it simple... using a number of new control concepts that range from an ingenious cadre of specialized hand gestures to mobile device control to quasi-conventional Flight controllers... and to incorporate scads of accessories and additi

AMA Drone Report 05.25.17: Court Kills FAA Model Drone Registration, DJI Spark!

Also: AMA Reacts To Court, FAA Reaction, AUVSI Reaction, Kittyhawk Flight Deck APP

Score one for us little guys... As you may have heard, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. has ruled that the FAA violated the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 when it required the registration of model aircraft, including drones, that are flown strictly for recreational purposes, and has vacated the Registration Rule for those aircraft. In Section 336 of the law, Congress specified that the FAA "may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft.” The Act defines “mode

Garmin Introduces The VIRB 360

An Immersive 360-Degree 5.7K Camera Experience

Garmin has introduced the VIRB 360, a compact, rugged and fully spherical 360-degree camera. The waterproof VIRB 360 is an easy-to-use camera that captures impressive high-quality video up to 5.7K/30fps, with four built-in microphones to ensure everything sounds as good as it looks in any direction. Whether users are kayaking down river rapids or mountain biking through rough terrain, the VIRB 360’s 4K Spherical Stabilization makes every video smooth and steady.

AMA Drone Report 05.18.17: Drone-Jumping!, AMA Sightings Report, King Schools

Also: DJI Smart TV App, Huerta: Unmanned Aircraft 'Good News Story', XPONENTIAL Innovation Preview

Ya had to see it to believe it... An ingenious Latvian UAS operation has pulled off an exercise in which a skydiver used one of their massive 28 rotor multi-copters to make an eye-popping skydive. On May 12, a 28-propeller drone built by Aerones lifted skydiver, Ingus Augstkalns, to a height of nearly 1100 feet, from where he accomplished the planned jump. The company, Aerones, has already demonstrated a number of dramatic heavy lift missions and solutions. Janis Putrams, Aerones' chief engineer, and the d

Airborne 05.24.17: Snowbird Update, New K-MAX, Spirit Pilots Express 'Regret'

Also: Kyle Franklin, FAA’s Earl Lawrence, SpaceX, Citation Longitude, ACSS ODA, Embraer JetWave, Boeing-Saudi

As previously reported, the Canadian Snowbirds precision demonstration team decided to put its airshow season on hold and return to practice after an incident at an air show in Fort Lauderdale, FL May 6th. But now we know why... The team was reportedly performing a maneuver called the "Double Take", in which for aircraft fly in formation with two inverted at about 300 feet above the ground. One of the aircraft encountered turbulence from the jet in front of it, causing control issues. The

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.25.17)

“With this budget, the President has made clear his administration’s plan to pursue a concept that has raised a host of concerns, not just among aviation stakeholders, but also among congressional lawmakers from both political parties, mayors from across the country, organizations from the political left and right, consumer groups and a majority of Americans.” Source: NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.25.17): Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE)

Surveillance equipment specifically designed to detect aircraft, vehicular traffic, and other objects, on the surface of an airport, and to present the image on a tower display.