Video Reel of the Week

Todd Betlem is an FAA part 61 private pilot and photography hobbyist.
Please enjoy the video video reel of the week from Todd.&nbsp;
<a href="https://thedroningcompany.com/pilot/todd-betlem"><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/13OjNqNoaQAZPOd7ANR7JONEwFM2GZPS9SC0m963.png" alt="" width="1057" height="588" /></a>
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Droning Company Reel

Featured News

Trending News

02 June 2023&nbsp;
In a significant move, Florida recently passed legislation to ban the use of Chinese-made drones across various sectors, including government agencies, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure. The decision stems from concerns over data security and potential vulnerabilities associated with the use of drones manufactured in China.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;
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This ban has opened a golden opportunity&nbsp;for other drone manufacturers to step in and fill the void left by Chinese-made drones. Among them, <a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Draganfly</a>, a Canadian-based drone company, has emerged&nbsp;as a leading contender.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Draganfly&nbsp;is renowned for its cutting-edge&nbsp;drone technology and has a strong reputation&nbsp;for reliability, safety, and innovation. With an impressive lineup of drones, they offer a range of solutions tailored to various applications, including aerial photography, industrial inspections, public safety, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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The&nbsp;<a href="https://draganfly.com/commander-3-xl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commander 3XL</a>, Draganfly&rsquo;s&nbsp;most versatile drone will play a major role&nbsp;in supporting the on-going efforts of government&nbsp;and law enforcement agencies. The 3XL drone is an exceptional piece of aerial technology that pushes the boundaries of what drones can achieve. With its sleek design and advanced features, this drone stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for various applications. The Draganfly&nbsp;3XL boasts an impressive flight time of up to 50-minutes, allowing for extended missions and increased efficiency. Equipped with a high-resolution camera capable of capturing stunning images and videos, as well as thermal imaging capabilities, this drone is well-suited for applications such as aerial photography, search and rescue operations, and industrial inspections. Its robust construction ensures durability&nbsp;and fidelity even&nbsp;in challenging environments, while its advanced flight control system ensures stability and precision. With the Draganfly&nbsp;Commander 3XL&nbsp;drone, users can experience the next level of aerial data collection.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/nVYfInX7bgd3dHy2CPN9txcroL4Jm2ehacpqrqJc.png" alt="" width="479" height="394" /> &nbsp;
Draganfly Commander 3XL.
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The 3XL drone not only excels in its aerial capabilities but also offers remarkable delivery capabilities. The 3XL's cargo box can accommodate a variety of items, making it ideal for last-mile&nbsp;delivery services ensuring safe and efficient delivery operations. The drone's long flight time and extended range enables it to cover significant distances, making it suitable for both urban and rural delivery scenarios. The Draganfly&nbsp;3XL drone represents&nbsp;a groundbreaking solution that revolutionizes the delivery industry, offering swift and reliable transport of goods while reducing costs and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with traditional delivery methods.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
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<h5 class="paragraph">The Advantages of Draganfly&nbsp;Drones&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</h5>
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Data Security:&nbsp;Draganfly&nbsp;drones prioritize data security and have stringent measures in place to protect sensitive information. With the ban on Chinese-made drones, Florida can rest assured that data collected by Draganfly&nbsp;drones&nbsp;remains&nbsp;secure and private.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Advanced Technology:&nbsp;Draganfly&nbsp;drones are equipped with state-of-the-art&nbsp;technology, including high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR sensors, and advanced flight control systems. These features enable enhanced situational awareness and facilitate precise data collection in a variety of scenarios.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Reliability and Durability:&nbsp;Draganfly&nbsp;drones are renowned for their robust construction, fidelity&nbsp;and durability. Built to withstand challenging environments, these drones are designed for longevity and can endure demanding missions with ease.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Customizable Solutions:&nbsp;Draganfly&nbsp;offers customizable drone solutions, allowing users to tailor their drones to specific needs. From payload options to software integrations, their drones provide&nbsp;flexibility for a wide range of applications.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Compliance and Support:&nbsp;Draganfly&nbsp;drones adhere to all relevant regulations and guidelines, ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. Additionally, Draganfly&nbsp;provides&nbsp;comprehensive customer support, training, and maintenance services, ensuring smooth operations and peace of mind for Florida's drone operators.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;
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As Florida sets the stage for a drone industry powered by innovation and data security, Draganfly&nbsp;emerges&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;key player.&nbsp;With its&rsquo; advanced technology, reliability, and commitment to data privacy, Draganfly&nbsp;drones offer an exciting alternative for the Sunshine State. We look forward to witnessing&nbsp;the positive impact of this transition and the endless possibilities it unlocks for the future of drone technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
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<h5 class="paragraph">&nbsp;Learn More&nbsp;</h5>
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Florida ban on Chinese Drones a Boon for Draganfly

Product News

02 June 2023
At <a href="https://www.xponential.org/xponential2023/public/MainHall.aspx?ID=4038&amp;sortMenu=100000" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xponential 2023</a> in Denver, The Droning Company got a chance to speak with product management executive Kelly Brodbeck at <a href="https://www.flir.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teledyne FLIR</a>. Kelly provided a rundown of the key thermal camera systems on offer for unmanned systems along with its <a href="http://www.teledyneflir.com/siras" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIRAS</a> drone platform created primarily for public safety and industrial inspection applications.
<h5>FLIR Boson+ with Factory-Integrated Continuous Zoom</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/A48yjjv95vTdlBgyFAwqLlPPa0F6ZHTL6J2oiLKm.jpg" alt="" width="469" height="264" />
Chief among the thermal camera modules Teledyne FLIR offers is the FLIR Boson+. Made in the USA, this compact, high-performance-yet-low-power thermal camera module can be integrated in a wide range of end-user applications including commercial and industrial unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, handheld devices, surveillance systems, light armored vehicle situational awareness and targeting, and soldier sighting systems.&nbsp; For current FLIR Boson customers, the Boson+ versions can serve as a drop-in upgrade for existing systems, providing greater thermal imaging capability within the same design footprint.
Performance is engrained as the Boson+ offers up to 640x512 resolution, which allows for detailed imaging from a great distance in part thanks to the proprietary FLIR image processing capabilities that provide enhanced image quality and detail in comparison to other thermal cameras with similar resolution. This is achieved thanks to its 12-micron pixel pitch detector with an industry-leading noise equivalent differential temperature (NEDT) or "thermal sensitivity&rdquo; of 20 millikelvin or less. The super-thermal sensitivity of the Boson+ camera significantly enhances detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) performance. It also features improved video latency that boosts tracking, seeker performance, and decision support.
Announced at Xponential, the Boson+ can also be purchased with a factory-integrated 5x continuous-zoom lens, providing optimal performance and a single-system warranty only achievable from a single source. The system also lowers development and manufacturing risk and improves time-to-market for customers embedding the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://youtu.be/N_vHxg8pc14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boson+ CZ 14-75</a> into a wide variety of systems.
By completing the factory alignment at Teledyne FLIR, integrators receive a thermal zoom solution calibrated for maximum performance that eliminates boresight wander and other image artifacts while zooming. Critical to dynamic missions, Teledyne FLIR&rsquo;s advanced lens control electronics provide thermal gradient compensation to maintain focus across the full operational temperature range while object range compensation maintains focus through zoom, even for near targets. Built-in tests (BIT) run at startup, continuously, or are commanded to provide real-time notification of issues and maximize operational reliability.
<h5>A Remote ID Compliant Drone Built Cyber Secure</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/TKr4GpYH6QYK5ae7FNsOLifXpsFs2Z2L990Uhao6.png" alt="" width="624" height="417" />
Also at Xponential, Teledyne FLIR displayed its SIRAS sUAS platform that sells for $9,695&mdash;a powerful tool that has proven useful in both public safety and industrial inspection settings. The SIRAS is built with cybersecurity at the forefront&mdash;it does not require an online profile or log-in to fly, as it is not connected to any cloud platforms or the internet. Nor is the SIRAS built with any electronic components from countries of concern, providing peace of mind that the data captured and the drone itself are secure. The platform is not subject to geofencing. Instead, the FLIR SIRAS places full control in the hands of the pilot, where it belongs. Yet, SIRAS maintains compliance with all US rules and regulations, including Remote ID. &nbsp;
<h5>Watch the Interview</h5>
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The Droning Company's Chris Fravel interviewed Kelly Brodbeck of Teledyne FLIR at Xponential 2023 in Denver. During the interview, Kelly shares information about Teledyne FLIR, and some of the UAV platforms that support its imaging payloads and sensors, including the SIRAS UAS. 
One of the key benefits of the Teledyne FLIR SIRAS drone is its ability to provide real-time aerial surveillance. With its advanced camera system, the drone can capture high-quality images and video from above, giving users a bird's eye view of their surroundings. This is particularly useful in public safety applications, where the drone can be used to monitor large crowds or events, identify potential threats, and provide critical intelligence to law enforcement officials. Meanwhile, firefighters also use SIRAS to gain a better understanding of a complex fire, whether that&rsquo;s a structure fire or wildfire, to better allocate resources and to protect lives and property without needing to secure a waiver or approval from a third-party entity.
Another application for which the SIRAS UAS drone has proven useful is in search and rescue (SAR) operations. The drone's advanced camera system and thermal sensors allow it to quickly locate individuals who may be lost or injured in remote or hard-to-reach areas. This can be particularly helpful in situations where time is of the essence, such as in natural disasters or locating those lost in remote, harsh environments.
In addition to its surveillance and SAR capabilities, SIRAS is also an excellent tool for industrial inspection. The drone's advanced dual thermal-visible camera system and powerful processing capabilities allow it to capture data quickly and accurately about machinery, equipment, and infrastructure. This data can then be used to identify potential issues before they become major problems, saving companies time and money in the long run.
Portability is another key advantage of SIRAS. The drone is compact and lightweight, making it easy to transport to different locations, as needed, carried in a soft backpack case for easy maneuverability. This makes it an ideal tool for first responders who need to pack light and quickly deploy equipment in emergencies and industrial inspectors who need to travel between different sites.
Overall, the SIRAS UAS drone is an incredibly powerful tool that has proven useful in a wide range of applications. Its advanced dual thermal-visible camera system, powerful processing capabilities, and portability make it an ideal solution for both public safety and industrial inspection settings.
Whether an organization is looking to improve safety at a large event, inspect industrial facilities, or conduct search and rescue operations, SIRAS is an excellent choice that can provide operators with valuable insights to help achieve a respective organization&rsquo;s goals more efficiently and effectively.
The Teledyne FLIR SIRAS is available for purchase today from authorized suppliers and dealers in the US only. SIRAS is dual use and classified under the US Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4.a.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/best-thermal-drone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ about our 2022 Droning Award for SIRAS.</a>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/xDRI0OGidqPrxBHTReZH7f0snr6qfgXVHJ5JHRjR.png" alt="" width="319" height="319" />
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Teledyne FLIR's Kelly Brodbeck on SIRAS, Boson+, and More

01 June 2023
"How dare you allow the drones to reach Moscow?" stated Wagner mercenary group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Prigozhin&mdash;a former convict, former hot-dog stand operator, restauranteur, and entrepreneur who founded and leads one of Russia's private mercenary militias&mdash;blamed the success of the Moscow drone attack on the "scum and swine" top brass who reside in the affluent suburb of Rublyovka.&nbsp;
Wagner is active in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Prigozhin has repeatedly criticized the "out of touch" military and political elite for Russian battlefield failures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin&mdash;whose home in Novo-Ogaryovo is near Rublyovka&mdash;blamed Ukraine for what he characterized as "terrorist attacks" that targeted civilians as a scare tactic. Kyiv has denied involvement.&nbsp;
The U.S. stated it is gathering information on the strike, which injured two people and damaged property. The White House also stated it does not support attacks by Ukraine that are inside Russia.
That did not sit well...
&ldquo;What are these attempts to hide behind the phrase that they are &lsquo;gathering information&rsquo;?&rdquo; stated Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov. &ldquo;This is an encouragement for Ukrainian terrorists."
Antonov did not commit on his own country's military attacks on Ukrainian civilians and other non-combatants.
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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Blame Game: Russian Military Takes Heat for Moscow Drone attacks

01 June 2023
Delivery drones are uniquely capable of transporting payloads faster, cheaper and more sustainably than traditional vehicles or ships. While many last-mile terrestrial or seaborn deliveries are already possible with unmanned aerial vehicles, the unit costs of those deliveries need to continue to fall for the industry to truly scale.
At the recent AUVSI XPONENTIAL, <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.a2zdronedelivery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc</a>, developer of commercial drone delivery solutions, released its latest flagship commercial delivery drone, the A2Z Drone Delivery <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.a2zdronedelivery.com/rdsxpelicanhome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RDSX Pelican</a>. With the RDSX Pelican&rsquo;s new hybrid VTOL design, A2Z has extended the range and payload capacity to handle up to 5 kg payloads on up to 40 km routes. The Pelican has also been designed to reduce the cost-per-kilometer of drone delivery, allowing drone service providers to more easily scale operations.
With its patented tethered delivery system, A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc. is developing innovative solutions to enable safe, accurate and low-noise drone deliveries. Focused on last-mile UAV delivery systems, A2Z is creating UAV delivery platforms capable of pushing drone delivery into the mainstream of logistics operations. Based in Los Angeles, C.A., A2Z originated as a drone delivery project at Brown University in 2016 and now services customers around the world which are leveraging its technology for a diverse array of applications.
A2Z Drone Delivery&rsquo;s first offering was its Rapid Delivery System (RDS), a drone agnostic winch system. By conducting payload deliveries from altitude, the A2Z solution enables deliveries from altitude where spinning propellers are kept far from people and property, mitigating consumer privacy concerns of low-flying drones while abating intrusive rotor noise. In 2022, the company rolled out the new RDS2 drone winch offering the highest payload capacity of any tethered delivery system on the market, and eliminating the need for specialty payload boxes. The just-launched RDSX Pelican can be purchased with the factory integrated RDS2 onboard.
<h5>RDSX Pelican Unit Economics</h5>
While localized labor costs are outside the manufacturer&rsquo;s control, in designing the new RDSX Pelican, the A2Z development team has put the unit economics of drone deliveries front and center. To maximize scalability of drone delivery ecosystems, the RDSX Pelican was designed to minimize operational costs for commercial drone delivery fleets. Boasting an attractive 13 cents/kg/km operating cost when fully loaded, the Pelican delivers the efficiency, payload capacity and reach needed to scale a commercial drone delivery operation.
A2Z was able to reduce these operational costs by simplifying the Pelican&rsquo;s airframe. With no ailerons, elevator or rudder, the Pelican&rsquo;s durable-yet-simple design eliminates common points of failure and exponentially extends operational time between maintenance overhauls. In short, the Pelican keeps the deliveries flowing longer. Designed to satisfy the 55-pound takeoff weight limitation for FAA Part 107 compliance, the Pelican is ready to go to work in the US and around the world.
&ldquo;Here at A2Z Drone Delivery, our development is not just about maximizing performance, it&rsquo;s about creating usable tools designed to get work done,&rdquo; said Aaron Zhang, Founder and CEO of A2Z Drone Delivery, Inc. &ldquo;A full-service drone delivery ecosystem will need a fleet of short, medium and long-range UAV platforms capable of depositing payloads in an array of settings. The new RDSX Pelican is the highly efficient, long range delivery platform in that last-mile fleet. It is thoughtfully designed to minimize potential points of failure, reducing the overall cost-per-kilometer of logistics operations, all while providing maximum payload flexibility.&rdquo;
<h5>Multiple Pelican Configurations and Availability</h5>
Available in multiple configurations starting at $29,000, the RDSX Pelican can be customized for an array of missions. The Pelican can be configured with the A2Z Drone Delivery RDS2 drone winch, or, for missions in which the drone is able to safely land at its destination, a simple servo-release mechanism can release payloads and expand the Pelican&rsquo;s payload capacity. Beyond logistics use cases like residential deliveries, the Pelican can be fully customized to suit unique mission criteria such as aerial mapping, drone inspection, forestry services, search and rescue operations, water sample collection, offshore deliveries, mining, and more.
The company is now accepting pre-orders for the RDSX Pelican which will be fulfilled on a first-come-first-served basis with initial deliveries expected for June 2023.
<h5>A2Z Expands Global Footprint</h5>
The company also recently expanded its global operations with a new test facility outside Shanghai, China. Dubbed &ldquo;Ground Zero,&rdquo; the test facility allows A2Z&rsquo;s development team to test its next generation cargo drones and drone winches under real life conditions.
Over the last year, A2Z has been conducting daily autonomous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) parcel deliveries to real life consumers. With the facility situated near a mountainous bamboo forest popular with hikers, A2Z also partnered with a local campground to deliver food and beverages from the campground&rsquo;s caf&eacute; to hikers on the trails.
"The regulatory flexibility at our Ground Zero test facility really allows us to push the boundaries of autonomous unmanned deliveries, and the daily residential parcel deliveries we&rsquo;re conducting have given us amazing insights into how customers will interact with our drones,&rdquo; said Zhang. &ldquo;While we&rsquo;ve designed our just-launched RDSX Pelican to meet the Part 107 requirements for operations under current US rules, at Ground Zero our team is already developing the drone delivery solutions of tomorrow. Our testing there gives us the data needed to demonstrate our commercial UAV systems are safe, reliable, economic, and efficient. With the work we are doing there we can ensure our delivery drones are ready to take flight here in the US and around the world as the regulatory environments continue to shift.&rdquo;
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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A2Z Drone Delivery Launches RDSX Pelican

30 May 2023
The Michigan Supreme Court is hearing a case that may resonate across the rest of the country.
The basic question is whether government agencies can use a drone for surveillance without first getting a warrant?&nbsp;
In this case, the dispute at hand involves a zoning-ordinance violation by a Traverse City salvage yard, but the matter could set a precedent for enforcement crews seeking to gather data for other matters.
The civil matter involves Todd and Heather Maxon's salvage yard&mdash;which Long Lake Township suspects is creating a nuisance. A drone was dispatched to take photos around the property to determine whether the Maxons were indeed violating zoning laws.
The couple fought back, arguing that aerial photos violated their constitutional right against unreasonable searches.&nbsp;
"Like every American, I have a right to be secure on my property without being watched by a government drone," stated Todd Maxon.
However, the situation has more than a few active threads...
It all started in 2007, when the government claimed Maxon was illegally storing "junk" on the property, and brought a code enforcement lawsuit against him. Maxon won that suit in 2008, and also received a promise that further zoning-enforcement actions would not be taken based upon "the same facts and circumstances which were revealed during the course of discovery (from the original suit).
However, a new lawsuit filed by the government in 2018, stated the vehicles aren't visible "from any ground-level public vantage point."
The government had also hired a drone pilot to gather enforcement data on alleged code violations, and Maxon's property was photographed three times over a two-year period.
&ldquo;If the government wants to conduct intrusive surveillance like this, the Fourth Amendment requires that it get a warrant,&rdquo; &nbsp;stated lawyer Mike Greenberg of the Institute for Justice. &ldquo;The zoning authority&rsquo;s failure to even try to get one shows their indifference to Michiganders&rsquo; constitutional rights.&rdquo;
However, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided that even if the drone flights violated the Maxons&rsquo; Fourth Amendment rights, the government should still be allowed to use the evidence obtained from the unconstitutional search in court, reasoning that Fourth Amendment protection doesn&rsquo;t apply to investigators hunting for zoning code violations. It also ruled that evidence obtained from drone photography can be used in civil code enforcement proceedings.
Maxon's appeal states the Fourth Amendment applies to all government officials, and if the lower court&rsquo;s decision stands, the government could freely spy on anyone.
&ldquo;This is bigger than just some drones flying over my home,&rdquo; said Maxon. &ldquo;If I&rsquo;m not safe from this kind of surveillance, nobody will be.&rdquo;
The appeal is asking the Michigan Supreme Court to rule that the government indeed violated Maxon&rsquo;s Fourth Amendment rights, and that it can&rsquo;t use illegally obtained data in court.
&ldquo;Americans have a right to be secure in their homes and backyards without being watched by a government drone,&rdquo; said Institute for Justice Senior Attorney Robert Frommer. &ldquo;The difference between a peeping tom and a lawful investigation is a judicially authorized warrant.&rdquo;

Michigan Supreme Court to Rule on "Drone Snooping"

Diversity Drone View is a full-service aerial photography and video company that delivers outstanding quality and results.&nbsp;
Please enjoy the video video reel of the week from Richard.&nbsp;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/K9O0GPGQsKl2xNTMVofakqS26ENCde8AhiaX9Qob.png" alt="" width="548" height="272" />
&nbsp;

Client Job

26 May 2023
A drone pilot in Wales&mdash;who takes photos as a hobby&mdash;was shocked to see his aerial image of Pwllheli Harbor revealed a "dolphin" in the landscape.&nbsp;
"I have been over the marina many times, but only just noticed this amazing landscape on this occasion," say Rhys Jones, 37. "In all my flight time over the Pwllheli harbor, I have never noticed this as much as last night. It's spectacular!"
See more of Jones' photos on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pwllhelidronephotos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook page</a>.
<h5>Watch the Video</h5>
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Drone Photog Reveals Harbor that looks like a dolphin

26 May 2023
Photo Above: AF25B w/3-axis gimbal, circa 2005.
<a href="https://copterworks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Copterworks</a> is a manufacturer of small unmanned helicopters founded in early 2000&rsquo;s, specializing in single rotor, gas-powered airframes. Along with production of their very first model, they introduced a companion three-axis camera gimbal&mdash;large enough to hold certain 35MM motion picture cameras, and light enough to be carried by their helicopters. The three axes of movement were actuated by modified RC servos and stabilized by helicopter Piezo gyros of the day. Their customers attached these gimbals to cranes, dollies, dune buggies and ultralight aircraft, in addition to their helicopters.
Throughout the years, the primary focus of the company has been providing general-purpose vehicles, as &ldquo;off the shelf&rdquo; components for UAS developers of all types. Offering the airframes with no flight control electronics means a simplified and expedited export process. Considering that historically, the majority of their customers have been from overseas, this has enabled them to export more helicopters, than total units sold by all their competitors combined.
Today, the majority of tasks performed by such helicopters have been taken over by multirotors, and to a smaller degree, electric helicopters. To keep up with these trends, they have added a line of unique quadcopters, making them one of the few manufacturers offering two distinctive types of aircraft. &nbsp;All Copterworks products are designed and manufactured at their Glendale, California facility.
<h5>Helicopters</h5>
Now as in the past, the primary focus of the company remains the development and manufacture of the most robust and innovative airframes. This component after all, is the cornerstone of any dependable UAS, without which the system is going nowhere. This is especially true in case of a helicopter-based system, as opposed to multirotors for example, which by comparison have a minimal number of moving parts, making the &ldquo;vehicle&rdquo; part of the equation less critical or distinguishable between one manufacturer and the next.
Helicopters in general are mechanically complex machines and require more frequent maintenance, in comparison to fixed wing aircraft and certainly multirotors. Copterworks designs their airframes to be as serviceable as possible, simple to operate in daily use and supported with full access to spare parts for DIY repairs.
Their latest helicopters represent the fourth generation in the incremental evolution of their product line.
At the center of every airframe they produce- including the electric AF20E, is the latest iteration of their robust and proven main gearbox, which became standard, starting with the AF25B- first introduced in 2005. You will find no plastic gears here. They&rsquo;re hardened steel, running in a wet sealed housing- and good for life of the aircraft. The main gearbox drives the tail rotor via a belt- a reliable and trouble-free combination and standard throughout their lineup.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/YHQSPnCJu1a8my0gembc8KvivdhLQ0QTVPATFeWS.png" alt="" width="670" height="279" />
The AF40, their current gas-powered model is offered in three varieties. These range from a basic package with an 80cc 2-stroke engine, to a top model powered by a 120cc 4-stroke, which includes an on-board starter/generator unit, offering hybrid boost capability, plus an electronic fuel injection. The EFI unit offers maximum fuel efficiency and consistent performance, regardless of altitude.
Depending on model, endurance ranges from 2- 4 hours, with payload ranging from 20-30 Lbs. A multi-fuel version is also under consideration and could become available soon.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/EqEMnkt6AetPx3wn2VZPY1Ogz6KFxyptEGx8hS44.png" alt="" width="668" height="255" />
For those applications where an internal combustion engine is not an acceptable option, there is the AF20E- built as tough as the AF40. The two have comparable proportions and payload capacities, and share many components.
In case of both electric and gas models, Copterworks fully intends to keep them available optionally as bare airframes, to serve customers who prefer completing their systems on their own, and to their particular specifications. At the same time, they are moving rapidly towards offering complete helicopter- based systems, for clients who prefer fully operational systems.
<h5>Quadcopters</h5>
D1 - their first quadcopter, marks Copterworks&rsquo; entry into the multirotor arena. Drawing from their extensive experience with helicopters, they&rsquo;ve produced a unique aircraft, with performance and function in mind. As of today, the D1 is the only multirotor on the market to hold a pair of Tattu 12S, 16000 MaH Smart Batteries, which are some of the largest available, internally. This optimal placement of the heaviest component, helps improve flight dynamics and allows simultaneous use of top and bottom payload rails.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/S5aA18caEiTWgf0AwzFJKnuB7tHpb9B8Vu1WBmZh.png" alt="" width="683" height="299" />
D1 with Herelink radio.
All electronics are individually sourced top-quality components, replaceable by end users as needed. Just as with their helicopters, they support users of these quadcopters with full access to spares for DIY repairs.
The system includes a Herelink radio/video transmitter set and Pixhawk Orange Cube flight controller- ready for an RFD900 telemetry set. Virtually all that&rsquo;s needed, is a pair of batteries and a charger.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/BXUHTJlGZFH0AAVnQQAucC0SRl2v6G2EVUhNJ8Qs.png" alt="" width="697" height="202" />
To make the D1 as portable as possible, every protruding feature folds, allowing this fairly large craft to fit in a surprisingly low-profile case, with nothing to detach- including the landing gear, and without the need to remove the batteries.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/OgiLIwON2Y5rjzk8UrHvhZWamoI0aM5OcByLrGM9.png" alt="" width="684" height="170" />
<h5>New Products on the Horizon</h5>
D1-X, their heavy-lift multirotor is nearly ready for release and intended to go head to head with some of the top competitors available today. Retaining the same main frame as D1, but with larger diameter motor arms, props and motors- more than doubling D1&rsquo;s payload capacity.
This will be followed by various optional hardware for attachment of payloads.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/tivMXPZ4CmdDlgZZpR00h46bpiPCMBXWIq9vABAb.png" alt="" width="685" height="366" />
In addition to products shown on their website, Copterworks undertakes contract manufacturing of components or complete aircraft- based on existing models, or all new designs.&nbsp;

Company Profile: Copterworks

26 May 2023
A parolee exhibiting suspicious behavior was tracked by Seal Beach, California, police with a drone equipped with an infrared camera. The suspect was apprehended safely after the drone revealed his location. More and more law-enforcement forces are deploying drones to assist with police work and surveillance.
<h5>Watch the Police Drone in Action</h5>
<iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sIr67O9_FtY" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

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