NEWS: Automated Transport, Drone Bans & Training with Philip Bloom
Where to begin? Autonomous drone transport, councils implementing hasty bans on unmanned aircraft and filmmaker Philip Bloom attending our CAA PfAW training course in Farnborough this month – there’s plenty to talk about so let’s get on with it. Train Alongside Philip Bloom at Farnborough Heliguy are returning to The Elvetham Hotel in Farnborough on... Read More
Where to begin? Autonomous drone transport, councils implementing hasty bans on unmanned aircraft and filmmaker Philip Bloom attending our CAA PfAW training course in Farnborough this month – there’s plenty to talk about so let’s get on with it.
Train Alongside Philip Bloom at Farnborough
Heliguy are returning to The Elvetham Hotel in Farnborough on 21st June to run another of our CAA approved training courses. Lasting 3.5 days, attendees are taught everything they need to know and are guided through every step on their path to commercial permissions.
A combination of classroom-based theory and machine-specific instruction, the level of detail provided by our expert training staff is unparalleled and offers you insights not only into how to get that all-important pass mark, but how to successfully enter the ever-growing commercial drone market.
This month we have a special guest attending the course, Philip Bloom. With cinematography credits spanning Lucasfilm, CNN, Sky and the BBC as well as being a strong advocate for drones in professional filmmaking it will be great to have him along.
It’s not too late to book a place on this training course so visit our training page where you can sign up and register your interest today.
Introducing: A Drone that Flies You
Chinese technology firm, Ehang Inc, unveiled a drone with the capability to carry a human passenger during the CES event in Las Vegas. Footage showed the unmanned craft (dubbed the ‘184’) flying, using four propellers spinning parallel to the ground, like a quadcopter on a much larger scale.
The drone promises to be electrically powered and has a charge time of two hours. It can carry payloads of up to 220lb has a flight time of approximately 23 minutes. The cabin is able to accommodate one person and is kitted out with a few mod cons such as air conditioning and a reading light. The concept is for it to fit, with its propellers stowed away, in a standard parking bay.
After entering their flight plan into the 184, passengers only need to give two commands, ‘Take Off’ and ‘Land’, which is reportedly accomplished through a single tap of a tablet.
The drone is designed to fly at around 1,000 to 1,650ft in the air with its absolute max altitude being 11,500ft. Ehang have also stated that the 184’s top speed is 63mph.
The company’s CMO, Derrick Xiong, assured attendees that the drone has been flown upwards of 100 times in test conditions, including several occasions with a live passenger on board.
Ehang, who also manufacture smaller drones, told the CES crowd that they are dedicated to ensuring that safety is placed above all else in the development of this innovative form of transportation.
See the 184 in action below:
Town Councils in the UK Considering Drone Bans
We talk a lot about drone regulations here on the insider blog and how they affect the industry as a whole. Since the Modern Transport Bill was announced in the Queen’s State Opening of Parliament speech there has been much speculation as to what legislation the government will pass and how restrictive it may be.
Some local governing bodies however seem to be getting impatient.
Oswestry Town Council has announced that they are considering the implementation of a zero tolerance policy on drone use in (or above) Cae Glas Park amid fears of accidents and the invasion of privacy. They’re not alone, other councils such as Telford Town say they are looking to introduce similar restrictions.
David Clough of Oswestry Town Council explained:
“These aircraft are likely to be operated in a way that may pose a risk to the general public. There is evidence that drones have caused incidents in public spaces and there is also the potential risk of cameras being used over the children’s play areas.”
Mr Clough says they intend to implement policies banning the use of drones on Oswestry Council properties and in particular Cae Glas Park.
The report claims that town council land borders residential and business properties and that this increases the risk of drones causing “alarm, distress or harassment”. At this stage in the discussion the council have stated that exemptions will only be granted if drones are used to reduce workplace risk or, in some cases, licensed professional services.”
Heliguy Insider will continue to monitor this story as it develops.
Don’t Forget…
There’s still time to register for our 21st June CAA drone training course to attend alongside Philip Bloom. To book a place either visit our training site or call us on 0191 296 1024 before they’re all gone.
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You need a drone license when you are flying as a commercial drone pilot, ie when you are using your drone for work and money-making purposes. This means, in most cases, you will need to sit the FAA Part 107 test.
You do not need a drone license when you are flying as a hobby and for purely recreational purposes. However, you will need to operate by strict rules. There are plans to introduce the requirement for hobbyists to pass an online aeronautical knowledge and safety test.
Where to begin? Autonomous drone transport, councils implementing hasty bans on unmanned aircraft and filmmaker Philip Bloom attending our CAA PfAW training course in Farnborough this month – there’s plenty to talk about so let’s get on with it.
