Also: 'Little Ripper' Rescue!, Thai Drone Registration, NM Drone Ban, GoPro Class Action, Fat Shark 101

DJI has introduced the Mavic Air, inheriting the best features of DJI’s Mavic with a 4K camera, new QuickShot modes, SmartCapture, and FlightAutonomy 2.0 with Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems.

Just 430 grams, the Mavic Air’s folding arms and propellers sit flush against its frame, so that its footprint is nearly the size of a modern smartphone when folded. A recessed three-axis mechanical gimbal is suspended from dampeners to further reduce vibration.  The camera houses a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor and the equivalent of a 24mm F2.8 lens (on a 35mm full frame sensor). MultiGP has announced the 2018 Regional Series for the U.S., and there have been some major changes put in place for the season. MultiGP will be lowering the heat times in 2018 from 2:00 to 1:30. The reasoning is that many pilots are currently exhausting batteries almost to the point of damage in order to run two-minute heats. Lowering the heat times to 1:30 will increase competition and also increase the longevity of our pilots’ equipment. The current number of regions will be restructured. The U.S. will now consist of six  major Regions. California-based Fruity Chutes has introduced the Harrier Drone Parachute Launcher, a small, spring loaded parachute for fixed-wing drones and small multicopters. The company says the core design objectives for the Harrier launcher were lightweight, compact, ease of use, and reliability. The Harrier features a thin wall carbon fiber canister, lightweight nylon components, and a high energy compression spring. Because the new launcher needed to be as compact and light as possible a new line of parachutes called the “Iris Ultra Zero” was designed for the project. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of the AMA Drone Report!!!

AMA Drone Report 01.25.18 is chock full of info in this Weekly News Episode, Thursday, January 25th, 2018... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Brianne Cross, Christopher Odom, and Laura Hutson, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalists Tom Patton, and Earl Downs, this episode covers:

• DJI Introduces Mavic Air 
• MultiGP Sets Regional Series Races
• New Harrier Parachute Launcher Designed For Drones 
• 'Little Ripper' Drone Helps Rescue Two Swimmers In Australia
• Thai Government Is Serious About Drone Registration
• New Mexico Town Mulls Partial Drone Ban
• Shareholder Class Action Filed Against GoPro
• Fat Shark 101 Review Upcoming

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "AMA Drone Report" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!

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