While there are increasingly more women in the workforce, they are still underrepresented in many industries. Representation matters, and it is crucial for fostering peoples’ interest in a career path. It is encouraging to see people like you in positions you want to hold, especially when that presence seems rare. This lack of representation is very noticeable in aviation and STEM-related industries. But just how rare are women in these fields? Exploring data could reveal a surprising picture of just how badly we need more women in these spaces. Women in the Workforce Looking at the 1920s, it's a well-known fact that women's career options were limited. Despite this, the number of women who participated in the labor force grew. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that women's labor force participation grew gradually from the 1920s then rapidly from the 1960s to the 1980s before slowing down in the 1990s. Numbers began falling around the beginning of the 21st century until women’s participation in the labor force reached a low of 56.7% in 2015. Despite this, the percentage of women in the workforce aged 25 to 64 with a college diploma quadrupled from 1970 to 2018. In 2018, 57.1% of all women participated in the labor force, which accounted for 47% of total employment. The top 10 occupations employing the largest number of women were (in order): Teachers Nurses Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides Secretaries and administrative assistants Cashiers Customer service representatives Retail salespersons Waiters and waitresses First-line supervisors of retail sales workers Managers (n.e.c.) In some industries, women made up more than half of all workers. Women were the majority in financial activities (53%), education and health services (74%), leisure and hospitality (52%), and other services (54%). On the other hand, they were significantly underrepresented compared to their proportion of total employment in agriculture (26%), mining (14%), construction (10%), manufacturing (29%), and transportation and utilities (24%). This is also the case when looking at STEM fields. Women in STEM Under the guidance of the National Science Board, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) published Science & Engineering Indicators 2018. Science & Engineering Indicators is a factual and policy-neutral report mandated by Congress. It provides high-quality quantitative data on the science and engineering enterprise in the U.S. and internationally. You can read the full 2018 report here. The report found that female scientists and engineers are concentrated in different occupations from men. Similar to what is shown in the U. S. Census data, there are relatively high percentages of women in the social sciences (60%) and biological, agricultural, and environmental life sciences (48%) but relatively low shares in engineering (15%) and computer and mathematical sciences (26%). Even though women make up half of the total U.S. college-educated workforce, they only account for 28% of the science and engineering workforce. Women made up the vast bulk of the country's social scientists, but social science occupations accounted for only 3% of STEM jobs. According to a report posted by the U.S. census, women made up 38% of all U.S. workers and 8% of STEM workers in 1970. Since then, both of those numbers have risen. Women are represented across all STEM occupations more than ever before. By 2019, women made up 48% of all workers and 27% of STEM workers. Furthermore, they accounted for nearly half of those employed in math (47%) and life and physical science (45%) occupations. Although women are gaining ground in some STEM fields, statistics show that women are still underrepresented in others, particularly in engineering. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the number of women working in engineering occupations increased from 3% in 1970 to only 15% in 2019. Additionally, their stats on women who are computer workers is also concerning. The number of female computer workers started at a similar level (around 20%) to that of the social scientists, mathematical workers, life, and physical scientists in 1970. However, this field experienced a decrease after 1990 and continued to do so for decades. Women only accounted for around 25% of computer workers in 2019, while these other fields experienced increases upwards of 20% by that time. This data is troubling because computer and engineering occupations account for 80% of the STEM workforce. Women in Aviation The aviation industry is not free from this pattern. According to Women in Aviation International, women have steadily increased their participation in the aviation industry over the past two decades. They now hold positions in practically every aviation occupation. Unfortunately, the numbers are insignificant in comparison to how many men are in the field. For example, they share that only 6% of the total number of pilots are women. In May of 2019, Rebecca K. Lutte, Ph.D. of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, published Women in Aviation: A Workforce Report. Lutte and her team conducted this research in coordination with Women in Aviation International, and the NASA Nebraska Space Grant funded it. While women are underrepresented in many fields of aviation, the report found that technical operations and leadership positions have the highest gaps. According to the report, women make up less than 10% of pilots, maintenance workers, and airline executives. The report's results are broken down in Table 1 from Lutte's report. The report emphasizes that continued outreach to underrepresented groups in all areas of aviation is essential for further developing the aviation workforce. Furthermore, pilots, maintenance technicians, aerospace engineers, dispatchers, cybersecurity specialists, airport managers, air traffic controllers, and a continuous focus on the need for women in aviation leadership roles are among the areas of aviation that demand more attention, according to the findings. While aviation has many outstanding outreach initiatives, these findings can help provide further insight into where they should focus the industry's outreach efforts. Increasing the number of women in the profession will aid in meeting industrial demands. More focus is needed, in particular, on the 3% of female airline executives and 1% of female airline captains. Women Who Drone With all of this in mind, it's expected that the gender ratio for drone pilots would also be significantly unbalanced. Remote pilot careers are relatively new, but they don’t seem to benefit from women's growing presence in the STEM workforce. Compared to the other careers explored in this article, the number of remote pilots is much smaller and even more overwhelmingly male. You can find the data for remote pilots in the U.S Civil Airman Statistics, an annual study that includes data about pilots and non-pilots. The certification process for remote pilots began in August 2016, so that is the earliest data available. According to these statistics, the estimated total number of people carrying remote pilot certificates increased over tenfold in the past five years. Meanwhile, female FAA Part 107 certified drone pilots increased by only 2.8% from 2017 to 2019. Conclusion Ultimately, It’s critical to encourage and support women participating in spaces where there aren't many of them. Women have become more present in the workforce over time, and we hope to see a future where women are equally represented in every field. Gender diversity is critical for the success of any industry. Diversity is beneficial not just for representation but also because it can create more significant growth. Different perspectives can lead to more exciting ideas being explored, and new ideas contribute to innovation. Tyesha Ferron is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital content, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

The FAA is encouraging recreational drone pilots to take the Recreational UAS Safety Test. A Little Backstory In 2018, the president signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. This Act established new conditions for the recreational use of drones and immediately repealed the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. Currently, the law that governs how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes is known as the Exception for Limited Operation of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809). According to Section 349 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, drones operated for recreational purposes are exempt from certification requirements if they satisfy other conditions. One of these conditions under the Exception for Recreational Flyers is that recreational drone pilots must take the Recreational UAS Safety Test. The Recreational UAS Safety Test Abbreviated TRUST, the Recreational UAS Safety Test is an aeronautical knowledge and safety test that assesses recreational flyers’ knowledge of safety and regulatory information. The FAA is urging recreational flyers to take and pass TRUST as soon as possible. Once they do, they must carry their TRUST completion certificate with them while flying as proof that they’ve passed the test (as outlined in 49 U.S.C. 44809). Recreational flyers must be able to provide their certificate to the FAA or law enforcement upon request, so it is necessary to have it with you whenever you plan to fly for recreational purposes. Recreational Flights and Flyers Lack of financial compensation is not the only factor that determines if a flight is recreational. The FAA describes a recreational flyer as “someone who operates their drone for fun or personal enjoyment purposes only,” and a recreational flight is defined as one that is purely for fun or personal enjoyment. They list activities such as capturing images to help sell a property or service, roof inspections, or photographing a high school football game for the school's website as examples of non-recreational uses of a drone. Even flights operated out of goodwill or without monetary value can be considered indirectly compensated. For example, volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization would be considered a non-recreational flight. The FAA advises: “When in doubt, fly under Part 107.” Taking TRUST TRUST is available to take for free online through an approved test administrator. FAA Approved Test Administrators of TRUST are said to have both testing content and educational materials. In June 2021, the FAA announced the following entities as FAA Approved Test Administrators of TRUST: The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) The Boy Scouts of America Chippewa Valley Technical College Community College of Allegheny County – West Hills Center Drone U Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) HSU Educational Foundation Lake Area Technical College Pilot Institute Drone Launch Academy LLC Proctorio Incorporated Tactical Aviation CrossFlight Sky Solutions UAV Coach University of Arizona Global Campus Volatus Aerospace Corp TRUST is divided into two sections. The first section provides you with the information needed to pass the test. The second section is a series of multiple-choice questions. Interestingly, TRUST is set up so that whoever takes the test cannot fail. If a test taker answers a question wrong, they will be given information on why their response was incorrect and prompted to try again. Upon completion, test takers will receive their TRUST completion certificate, which will never expire. However, if you lose your certificate you can only obtain a new one by retaking the test. Neither the test administrator, nor the FAA, will maintain personally identifiable information about recreational flyers, so it is impossible to reprint or re-issue your original certificate. The Essentials Despite the addition of TRUST, flying your drone recreationally is still a free and relatively simple process. First of all, if your drone weighs more than .55 lbs., register it through the FAA's DroneZone. Then, pass TRUST through an approved test administrator and carry proof of your passage with you during recreational flights. Finally, follow the safety guidelines and rules for recreational flyers on the FAA's website. Tyesha Ferron is a writer and an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital art, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

Pilots in the United Kingdom are in a unique position in terms of drone regulations. In 2016, the UK voted in favor of leaving the European Union, and their exit has brought on significant changes. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has left the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). There is a bright red banner alerting visitors to the UK-EU transition on every page of the CAA website. The banner reads: “References to EU regulation or EU websites in our guidance will not be an accurate description of your obligations or rights under UK law.” This transition has left some people confused about what rules they need to follow and where the up-to-date information is. There is a lot of information to digest, but this article will give you a breakdown of how to register to fly your drone in the UK. Information Locations Towards the bottom of the CAA homepage, there is a Quick Links section. In that section, there is a blue quadcopter thumbnail that links to the CAA’s Unmanned aircraft and drones webpage. At the top of that page, there is a note: “For the UK Dronecode, links to unmanned aircraft safety apps and other safety information visit dronesafe.uk.” Through the Drone Safe website, you can access some helpful drone safety information and the Drone Code. The Drone and Model Aircraft Code houses all the information need on how to fly safely and legally in the UK and how to pass the flyer ID test, like a guidebook. The CAA considers this to be your starting point if you want to fly a drone or model aircraft in the UK. On the Drone Safe website’s registration page, you’ll see a summary of the drone registration requirements. This page also introduces the UK’s new Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service, a new online system that educates citizens on the rules, regulations, and registration. The Drone Code Almost all the information you need to register to fly is available through the Drone and Model Aircraft Code. It can be accessed through the Drone Safe website and the DMARES website and applies to flying unmanned aircraft systems outdoors in the Open A1 and A3 categories. It houses information on how to fly safely and legally in the UK and pass the flyer ID test. Think of it as a guidebook! The CAA considers this to be your starting point if you want to fly a drone or model aircraft in the UK. It’s important to note that the UK distinguishes between flyers and operators. Both positions require their own ID registration, which means the UK offers a flyer ID and an operator ID. Depending on your drone’s weight and class, you may need one or both IDs. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, most people get both. Registering for a Flyer ID Flyers, or pilots, are anyone flying the drone. The flyer is in charge of safely completing the flight while adhering to the operator's management guidelines. Fortunately, flyer IDs are free. To obtain a flyer ID, the flyer must pass a theory test. You can register and take the test online at any age, but children under 13 must a parent or guardian with them when they take the test and register. You must retake the test to renew your Flyer ID every five years. The test is a free multiple-choice, open-book test that you can take as many times as you like. There are 40 questions, and you must pass with a mark of 30. The CAA advises that you allow yourself at least 30 minutes to complete it, but you can take as long as you like. Just make sure that you’re not inactive for more than 90 minutes. Registering for an Operator ID Operators are any person or organization who owns or is responsible for the drone. Operators must ensure that that they are effectively managing all flights utilizing their aircraft. An operator ID will cost you £9 and will need to be renewed annually. Only those over the age of 18 can register as an operator. Those under 18 must have a parent or guardian register for the operator ID. Drone Weight and Class Marks Under the UK’s regulations, there are weight requirements and class mark requirements. Generally, you will have to register for an ID if you are flying or operating any drone that weighs between 250g and 20kg. For pilots of drones that weigh under 250g, if your drone (1) has a camera and (2) isn’t a toy, then you must register as well. Furthermore, drones and model aircraft have been split into five class marks (C0 - C4). The classes indicate what type of aircraft you have, whether you need to register for an ID to utilize it, and which ID you need. Drones classified as C0 or C1 are allowed to fly in the A1 subcategory of the Open category. C3 and C4 drones can only fly in the A3 subcategory. C2 drones can fly in either the A2 or A3 subcategories. If you fly in the A2 subcategory, you must pass the A2 theory exam (the A2 Certificate of Competency, also referred to as the A2 CofC), which is discussed in the Certification article. Because class marks are a relatively new requirement, your drone or model aircraft may not have had a class assigned to it when it was built. If your drone does not have a class mark, only follow the weight criteria. If your drone does have a class mark, you must adhere to the class requirements. You can find more information on registration requirements and class marks here: Registration requirements for drones and model aircraft. Labeling Your Drone You must label every drone or model aircraft that requires an operator ID (which you can check for on the registration requirements page). Rather than registering your drone with its own unique registration ID, UK drones must be labeled with the operator ID of the person who is responsible for it. Not doing so is illegal. All your drones must have the same operator ID affixed to them, never your flyer ID. You can find your operator ID in the registration email sent to you by the CAA or in the My registration area. To properly label your drone, your operator ID must be: Visible from the outside or within a compartment that can easily be accessed without using a tool Clear and in block capitals taller than 3mm Secure and safe from damage On the main body of the aircraft Tyesha Ferron is a writer and an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital art, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

Pilots in the United Kingdom are in a unique position in terms of drone regulations. In 2016, the UK voted in favor of leaving the European Union, and their exit has brought on significant changes. As of December 31st, 2020, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s aviation regulator, is no longer a member of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). There is a bright red banner alerting visitors to the UK-EU transition on every page of the CAA website. The banner reads: “References to EU regulation or EU websites in our guidance will not be an accurate description of your obligations or rights under UK law.” This transition has left some people confused about what rules they need to follow and where the up-to-date information is. While there is a lot of information, this breakdown will summarize the new UAS categories, types of certificates, and the certification process. Information Location Towards the bottom of the CAA homepage, there is a Quick Links section. In that section, there is a blue quadcopter thumbnail that links to the CAA’s Unmanned aircraft and drones webpage. This page gives you access to information on registering to fly your drone, the different flying categories, and more. Flying Categories Firstly, It's important to be aware of what category you’re flying in. Each category has its own rules and regulations that must be followed. The new unmanned aircraft regulations are divided into three categories of operations: The Open category is for low-risk flights such as flying in the countryside. The Specific category is for higher-risk flights such as flying over an urban area. To fly in this category, you will need an operational authorization from the CAA. The Certified category is for the flights of large unmanned aircraft with a risk level equal to that of manned aircraft. Such flights would include transporting goods above a city. Note: Since UK regulations relating to the Certified category are still being developed and are not yet published, flights must follow relevant manned aviation regulations. The Open category is split into three subcategories (A1, A2, and A3), each with its affordances and restrictions: A1: You may fly over people (not a crowd) for a short time with a drone that weighs less than 250g. A2: Depending on your drone’s weight or class, you must maintain a 30m distance from uninvolved people. This category also requires that you have an A2 Certificate of Competency. A3: You must keep a horizontal distance of at least 50m from people and 150m from parks, urban areas, and populated areas. You can find more in-depth information on the categories here: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Guidance A2 Certificate of Competency As previously mentioned, the A2 Certificate of Competency, or A2 CofC, is the certificate that permits the operation of a C2 class drone in the A2 subcategory of the Open category of UAS regulations. The certificate certifies that you have a thorough understanding of the technical and operational countermeasures for ground risk (or the risk of a person being struck by a drone). A remote pilot is required to hold an A2 CofC while: Operating in the A2 subcategory Operating an unmanned aircraft in the A1 subcategory Note: This will only be allowed until June 30th, 2022 under the ‘A1 Transitional Provisions’ in Article 22 of the European Commission Implementing Regulation Operating in the Specific category under the conditions of a published Standard Scenario (STS) or Pre-Defined Risk Assessments (PDRA) where the A2 CofC is specifically listed as an acceptable level of remote pilot competency for that STS or PDRA. There are no practical flight test requirements for the A2 CofC. Instead, the CAA describes the procedure to obtain an A2 CofC as a “‘building block’ process of training and testing.” This process begins with criteria that pilots must meet before attempting the A2 CofC written examination: The successful completion of the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft online training course for basic remote pilot competency The successful completion of the flyer ID theory test and the possession of the flyer ID number associated with that test The completion of a period of practical flight training, either under the guidance of an RAE or under self-monitored circumstances, conducted within the operating conditions of subcategory A3 but simulating the operating situations associated with the A2 subcategory The submission of a written self-declaration by the remote pilot stating that they have completed the above building blocks to a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) facility After meeting those criteria, the exam is conducted under formal conditions at an RAE facility. The exam is composed of a minimum of 30 multiple-choice questions and covers the following subjects: Meteorology UAS flight performance Technical and operational mitigations for ground risk The exam is 75 minutes plus an additional 15 minutes for those who have a recognized disability or other needs (e.g., dyslexia or dyspraxia). You must earn at least 75% to pass. If you fail your exam, your retake will have a different set of questions. The RAE retains a record of each examination taken by a student for a minimum of 5 years. General Visual Line of Sight Certificate Another significant change resulting from these new regulations is the removal of the Permission for Commercial Operations. In its stead, pilots can obtain the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) for the Specific category. The GVC is another competency certificate for remote pilots. It was developed to be a single straightforward qualification that satisfies the requirements for VLOS within the Specific category. It has been described as PfCO-like and allows pilots to do more than the A2 CofC. Like the A2 CofC, the CAA describes the procedure to obtain a GVC as a “‘building block’ process of training and testing.” This process begins with two steps that pilots must complete before attempting the GVC examination and flight test: You must complete the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft online training course for basic remote pilot competency. You must pass the CAA’s online flyer ID test and have the flyer ID number. Once you have accomplished those two things, you can move forward with taking the two required assessments: (1) the theoretical examination and (2) the practical flight test. RAE facilities conduct these assessments as well. The theoretical exam is a closed book test that consists of at least 40 questions that will cover the following subjects: Air law/responsibilities UAS airspace operating principles Airmanship and aviation safety. These questions may be multiple-choice, long answer, or a mix of both. Test-takers must pass with at least 75%. After passing the exam, the GVC is valid for five years from the exam date. The practical flying test is designed to ensure that the remote pilot under examination can safely conduct a wide range of VLOS operations in the Specific category. This test includes topics covered in the theoretical exam syllabus in addition to those in the practical flight syllabus. You can find more in-depth information on the A2 CofC, the GVC, and the assessment process here: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – The UK Recognised Assessment Entity Tyesha Ferron is a writer and an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital art, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

The FAA wants drone pilots to understand how to fly safely, and this week is one of their many ways to promote safe flying practices. It’s that time of year again. National Drone Safety Awareness Week is back for its third year to remind us all to fly safely. From Monday, September 13th – Sunday, September 19th, get ready to see people from all corners of the drone community promoting drone safety and education. The FAA aims to safely integrate drones into the National Airspace System, with safety being a core part of that commitment. To achieve this goal, the FAA wants drone pilots to understand how to fly safely, and this week is one of their many ways to promote safe flying practices. National Drone Safety Awareness Week (often shortened to Drone Safety Week) is a weeklong campaign by the FAA that occurs every September. The FAA showcases safety stories, events, and educational resources during this campaign, drawing national attention to drone safety. Drone Safety Week events are free and feature drone pilots, recreational flyers, and industry experts talking about their commitment to drone safety, important drone safety education information, new requirements, and best practices for the drone community. Everyone is welcome to participate. Each day of Drone Safety Week is dedicated to an educational theme with a specific goal: Monday Safe Flyers Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) Learn about the safety information you need to know before you fly! Tuesday Register and Mark Your Drone How do you get registered, and who needs to register? Wednesday Become a Part of a Flying Community Learn about community-based organizations Thursday New Rules – Remote Identification and Operations Over People Learn about Remote ID and Operations Over People. Friday Public Safety & Public Acceptance How can we spread the news about drones? Saturday and Sunday Share the Skies – Get Out and Fly Let’s get out and fly! Last year, the second iteration of National Drone Safety Awareness Week occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drone Safety Week 2020 introduced Drone@Home Activities, which included different games and lessons for people to enjoy from the safety of their home. This year, the third annual Drone Safety Week will feature both virtual and in-person events. To learn more about the week’s events, check out the Drone Safety Awareness Week calendar on the official website. Events hosted by different businesses and organizations in the drone industry. For example, this year, there are events hosted by the National Agricultural Aviation Association, AUVSI, Academy of Model Aeronautics, and Las Vegas DronePro’s. You can also find events on social media by following @FAADroneZone on Twitter and Facebook and checking for posts promoting drone safety throughout the week or following the tags #DroneWeek and #FlySafe. Tyesha Ferron is a writer and an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Specializing in digital art, Tyesha loves exploring the new ways technology intersects with culture and how drones make things more efficient and accessible for artists, hobbyists, and industry professionals. As a novice drone enthusiast, she continues to be impressed by what the drone community and industry can accomplish. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron Twitter: @Tyesha_Ferron LinkedIn: Tyesha Ferron

Image Credit: The Drone Racing League Simulator When you think of drones, your first thought might be flying around exotic locales and scenic aerial shots. Even though that is prevalent, many pilots are doing things other than photography with their drones. For example, FPV racing is steadily gaining popularity in the drone world and the mainstream. For the uninitiated, FPV drone racing is a sport where pilots wear special goggles that give them a First-Person-View from their drone while they race others through specially designed tracks. We’ve discussed drone racing extensively on this blog, specifically in regards to the professional drone racing league and the World Air Sports Federation, and have encouraged others to take part. However, with persisting concerns related to the Coronavirus, you may still be wary about going outside. Not to mention, the CDC is still encouraging people to stay at home. While there are many other things you can do with your drone at home, don’t discount FPV racing. You can still get some practice in or even do all your racing using a drone simulator. Video Credit: Drone Racing League DRL SIM DRL SIM 3.0 is the latest iteration of the professional Drone Racing League’s drone simulator. Advertising for this version of the simulator places an emphasis on the DRL’s dedication to developing the sim’s physics. In their announcement video, DRL boasts about enlisting experts, like aeronautical engineer Sage Thayer and Dr. Marilyn Smith, a Nonlinear Computational Aeroelasticity, and working with real data to produce a more accurate simulation. This version also includes updates to maps and multiplayer functions and other exciting features like a mapmaker, spectator modes, social chat, Twitch tournaments, and training. The introduction video uploaded to their YouTube channel ends with the tagline, “Sim life should be practice life”. Image Credit: DCL - The Game Drone Champions League (DCL) Drone Champions League, which describes itself as “the world's leading championship for professional drone racing teams”, is also backing their own drone racing game. Published in February, DCL the game is a collaboration between DCL and THQ Nordic, a global video game publisher and developer. It is advertised as having over 30 tracks, a worldwide userbase, and four flight modes: Arcade, GPS, Angle, and Acro. On their release trailer, the description states that they believe their game to be so realistic that pilots can use it to “train their actual control skills and qualify for the official Drone Champions League to start a career as a professional Drone Pilot.” DCL emphasizes competition in their promotion of this simulator and even has a virtual season that will be underway next month. Image Credit: VelociDrone VelociDrone VelociDrone is a smaller drone simulator, but it has popular features like online multiplayer and track editing. Other key features of this sim include its use of frame models from real-world manufacturers (“This means you can get the feel of some of the top frames in the industry before you buy.”) and their Time Attack mode which is meant to help you improve by allowing them to race against yourself. If you’re interested in competition, they also have various leaderboards that are accessible on their site. While not as advanced as the other simulators, VelociDrone still has a dedicated user base from around the world. If you’re interested in trying it out, they offer a free trial. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron

Watch Elena Buenrostro, Founder and CEO of Women Who Drone, demonstrate the Mavic 2 Zoom's top 3 features: Hyperlapse Mode, Dolly Zoom, and Digital and Optical Zooming. In Hyperlapse Mode, the drone can record a hyperlapse video while in motion. In this video we can see boats and clouds go by while the Mavic glides along the cityscape. Dolly Zoom, similar to what we see used in horror films, allows the drone to zoom in on Elena while it's moving backwards. This makes the background look like it's expanding around her, while she stays the same size in the frame. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE #review #dji #DJIMavic2Zoom #mavic #mavic2zoomfeatures #maviczoom #hyperlapse #dollyzoom

Two years ago, at Super Bowl LI – the greatest Super Bowl ever – Intel Shooting Star Drones performed as the opening act for the half-time show headlined by Lady Gaga. The performance was the first time drones were commissioned to perform at the Super Bowl. Back then, General Manager of Intel’s New Technology Group Josh Walden remarked positively about the potential of drone light shows. The 2017 show was composed of 300 Intel Shooting Star drones. Together, they lit up the sky to transform into the Pepsi logo, American flag, and the Intel logo. For that show, concerns about “the weather and environment” led to the drone’s being filmed ahead of time, and what we all saw on TV was a pre-recorded performance filmed in January. Thus, sports fans who attended the game could not witness the light show live with Lady Gaga. Regardless, the show was one more milestone achieved after the precedent Intel set with their record-breaking performance from two years before. In 2015, Intel achieved its first Guinness World Records title by flying 100 drones simultaneously. The following year, they would break their own record in Germany with 500 drones flown at one time. In December 2017, Intel would break their own record yet again with the performance they pre-recorded for the Olympics opening ceremony. The performance was accomplished using 1,218 of the Shooting Star drones. In this year's Super Bowl, which aired February 4th, Intel Shooting Star Drones continue their legacy of innovative drone light show performances by breaking one of their Guinness World Records, yet again. With 150 of their new Enhanced Intel Shooting Star drones, Intel’s team choreographed an indoor light show that beat the previous record of 110. This was not a challenge-free feat though. As explained by Anil Nanduri, Intel Drone Group VP and GM, there were a few things that made this performance unique. For one, being indoors in the enclosed Mercedes-Benz stadium meant that the team could not rely on GPS to track the location of the drones. Instead, they used the same location technology used in the Radio City Music Hall with their performances with the Rockettes. Another aspect that made this performance special was that unlike with Super Bowl LI, when the performance was pre-recorded, this show was performed live, meaning the stakes were high. The Shooting Stars weren’t the only drones with permission to be present at the Super Bowl. During all the festivities, Skyfire Consulting, whose website proclaims them to be America's leading public safety UAS experts, was performing security checks with the help tethered DJI quadcopter's. Matt Sloane, who co-founded the company, was on a nearby rooftop performing a security watch with a team of pilots. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Sloane's “extensive safety plan” included using a tether system made by Drone Aviation Corp. The drones used for their security detail were the DJI Matrice 210. Skyfire and Intel’s presence at the Super Bowl is an indicator that drones are still being applied in a variety of ways, whether it’s entertainment or security. There’s no slowing down progress. Drone light shows and tethered drones have been covered on this blog before. Read about them and more on the Women Who Drone blog. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron

Video Credit: New York City Drone Film Festival The New York City Drone Film Festival was founded in 2015 by Randy Scott Slavin, an award-winning director, photographer and aerial cinematographer. The event began as the first international film festival dedicated to drone cinematography, and 2019 marks its 5th year running. This year's festival featured panels, screenings, an afterparty, an expo, races, demos, and a Q&A with the film directors post screening. The film festival named winners in eleven categories, and it’s clear that the chosen victors deserved their accolades. Let's take a look at some of the winning pieces. CINEMATIC FPV CATEGORY & BEST IN SHOW - MOABLASTER 2 - THE STORM BY AIRBLASTR This film stars rock formations and a storm, and we get a first-person view. My favorite part is when the drone flew through a waterfall and the water droplets hit the lens. The Storm was recorded by Airblastr a.k.a. Jonny Durst from Bozeman, Montana. EXTREME SPORTS CATEGORY - GOOD MORNING BY RICHARD PERMIN, MAXIME MOULIN & FILMMAKER ANTOINE FRIOUX In the extreme sports category, our winner is a fun and lighthearted film featuring skier Richard Permin as he skis his way through several mornings. The highlight of this video for me was watching Permin fly from rooftop to rooftop at the Avoriaz 1800 ski resort in France. LANDSCAPE AND ARCHITECTURE CATEGORY - A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BY MARCUS MÖLLER This video featured beautifully vibrant colors, seamless transitions, and captured awesome reflections on different water surfaces. It wonderfully captures the different beauties of nature. NARRATIVE CATEGORY - I AM DRONE BY TOMMY TABIJIA A.K.A. UMMAGAWD The transitions between clips are creative and engaging. This film successfully personifies a drone by giving it a story, thoughts, and feelings. Plus, the robotic text-to-speech voice was a nice touch and added to the concept. X-FACTOR CATEGORY - I AM FRAGILE BY FLORIAN LEDEUX The title and imagery of this film work together as we’re shown clips of various wildlife and landscapes. “I AM FRAGILE”, ice, polar bears, walruses, and whale pods. They all remind us of our precarious relationship with nature. SEE MORE The NYCDFF was held at the start of this month at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, and Women Who Drone attended the event as a media partner along with Dronegear, From Where I Drone, and Rotor Drone Magazine. This is only a selection of the winners for this year’s competition. Winners’ submissions from this and previous years are featured on the NYCDFF website. See who else won at https://www.nycdronefilmfestival.com/winners. I am a writer and an artist based in Georgia. Specializing in illustration, graphic design, and video art, I love to explore the new ways technology intersects with art. I think drones have done amazing things for photography and video art, making what would previously be costly and difficult more accessible. As a complete novice, it was only recently that I saw what independent artists could do with their drones, and I continue to be impressed by the sights that drones are able to explore and the images they can capture. Instagram: @tyesha.ferron #newyork #newyorkcity #NewYorkCityDroneFilmFestival #nyc #NYCDFF #dronecinematography #film #filmfestival #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE

Credit: Hermes Rivera Canada’s national authority on aviation is the Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). Starting from the Canada.ca homepage, drone regulations can be found by clicking on Menu, scrolling to Transport and infrastructure, then clicking the Drone safety link under Most requested. The Drone safety webpage of the TCCA website includes links to helpful information such as Canada’s legal requirements for drone flight, safety regulations, and penalties for not following regulations. The page also has links to information on important services including drone registration in Canada and obtaining a pilot certificate. One of the site's best tools is the “Where to fly your drone” page, which features an interactive map of Canada to help pilots decide where to fly. This tool is applicable to both commercial and recreational drone pilots. Credit: Transport Canada Drone Safety Registration For all drones between 250 grams and 25 kilograms, pilots will need to both register their drone with the TCCA and hold a valid pilot certificate regardless of whether they fly commercially or recreationally. The drones must also be marked with the registration number before takeoff. In order to log in to the registration portal, pilots will need to log in through either a Government of Canada account login or by using their online banking login information (if their institution is a Sign-In Partner). Registration can be done online through TCCA’s Drone Management Portal. According to the TCCA website, users will also need to pay a $5 registration fee. To register your drone, you will need: to be at least 16 years old either a Government of Canada login or information to log in through your banking institution the purchase date of the drone, if applicable the make, model, serial number, weight, and type of drone you’re registering a credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Interac) Successful registration (along with the valid pilot’s certificate) will permit pilots to do basic operations, which refers to flying in uncontrolled airspace, among other factors. Pilots wanting to pursue advanced operations, including — but not limited to — flying in controlled airspace or over bystanders, will need to obtain a separate Safety Declaration along with the drone registration. If you are flying a micro-drone weighing less than 250g, you will not need to register the drone nor hold a drone pilot’s license. Image Credit: Transport Canda Pilot Certification (License) All pilots flying drones weighing between 250g and 25kg are required to pass the online pilot certification exam. A Canada drone pilot certificate, or license, is valid for 24 months. This goes for both a Basic Operations Certificate and an Advanced Operations Certificate. To receive a Pilot Certificate — Basic Operations, you will need to: be 14 years or older pay a $10 exam fee take the online exam for basic operations (called the Small Basic Exam) print your certificate through the Drone Management Portal and have it on you at all times when flying The Small Basic Exam is made up of 35 multiple-choice questions and requires a 65% or higher to pass the exam. To receive a Pilot Certificate — Advanced Operations, you will need to: be 16 years or older pay a $10 exam fee per attempt take the online exam for advanced operations (called the Small Advanced Exam) complete an in-person flight review with a reviewer from an affiliated drone flight school print your certificate through the Drone Management Portal and have it on you at all times when flying The Small Advanced exam includes 50 multiple-choice questions and requires an 80% or higher to pass the exam. Image Credit: Transport Canda Exam questions for both Basic Operations and Advanced Operations certificates are based on the knowledge requirements for pilots, which can be found here. Pilots with a Basic Operations certificate can only conduct basic flight operations, while pilots with an Advanced Operations certificate can conduct both basic and advanced flight operations. Flying a drone without meeting the requirements above can result in a fine of $1,000 for recreational pilots and $5,000 for commercial pilots. Both pilot certificates last for 24 months. To renew the certificate, pilots must: retake the exam (either basic or advanced) pass a flight review OR do one of these training activities listed on the Government of Canada aviation webpage: attend at a safety seminar endorsed by the TCA complete a recurrent training program from a drone flight school complete of self-paced study program endorsed by the TCA Full lists of rules and requirements for drone pilots in Canada, as well as resources for drone safety and tools to find the best places to fly, can be found on the Government of Canada Drone Safety webpage. Sarah Sabatke is a journalist, filmmaker and licensed drone pilot based in Baltimore, Maryland. Sarah is an avid fan of compelling visual storytelling and loves the potential that drone footage can add to a story. She is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism and taught drone flight to students through the MU Drone Journalism Program, while also flying commercially. Instagram: @sarahsabatke

Location: Seattle, Washington Tell us about yourself. Give our readers a personal introduction to you and what you do. My name is Jackie, and I’m originally from the Washington D.C./Virginia area. I work full-time remotely in tech. I don't have a permanent home as my job has been fully remote since before Covid. However, I lived in Colorado last year and am in the Pacific Northwest for this summer. After, I might drive down the California coast. I use the flexibility of my work schedule to travel, move around to new places, and be inspired by all the new adventures I have. I love to hike, ski, camp, run, paddleboard, and capture all of these activities via my drone and camera. I love doing these adventures even more with my Shikoku dog named Sora. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I have loved making films and videos since I was a little girl. I have also always loved working with new technology, being a part of the growing tech industry, and representing women. Drone flying makes me feel empowered. I love the new perspectives you can reach; drone flying gives me a different edge and a different space to create and share from. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? Currently, drone flying is still just a hobby for me as I have a full-time job in tech. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? The DJI Mavic Air. I’ve been flying it for about five years! What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? The automatic feature. I'm often hiking by myself with one hand on my leash for my dog, so being able to go hands-free is super helpful to me. I love the follow-me shots especially. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I'm more proud of my videos, but I’ve added a few. I think they just show my adventurous lifestyle and why I create. Diverse places and landscapes constantly inspire me, and I love capturing them and sharing them with others. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? I have only been filming as a hobbyist. Just stay up-to-date with regulations as they can and do change. Follow and support other female creators for inspiration and encouragement too. Whether it's from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. It's from a creative standpoint for me. I'd say last winter. I first heard the song "Runaway" by Aurora (before it got super overplayed on TikTok), and I immediately had this vision in my head of me falling into the snow and making this snow angel on a winter wonderland/snowy hike. I wanted to create and show the spirit of my time spent in Colorado, out exploring and hiking solo with my dog in nature. I had this vision, and I just couldn't stop when I had it. I knew I had to go out and create what I had pictured in my head. Being out there, setting up the shot, getting some unexpected shots, and putting it together with that song brought me so much happiness. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I'd say try not to be intimidated. It's hard to break into a culture or field that doesn't represent you or people that look like you, so I totally get it. However, if you want change to ever happen, then you have to overcome that fear for the betterment of future women. Drones are a super cool way to interact with technology that doesn’t have a steep learning curve. If you're into travel or photography, then it can bring your images to the next level and offer new ways for you to explore capturing that shot. When you're visiting a place, you might not see all it has to offer from the ground, and taking flight and looking at something from above can be super inspiring and unique. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I'm excited to not have to explain myself each time I make a video. One time, I added a cool drone video I made to my Hinge dating profile, and I got asked several questions insinuating that I didn't film the video myself. They couldn't believe that a girl would film it so well, and many assumed someone else filmed it for me. The more women join the field, the more normalized it will become that women enjoy flying drones and aren't bad at it. I've dealt with the issue of exclusivity being in the tech field since early high school - so I’ve always just tried to push through it and not let it stop me from trying to do something new that I’m interested in. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? Get it insured via a personal articles policy, always read the regulations before you go somewhere to fly so you're not disappointed, and be respectful/mindful of others around you. Go to popular filming locations on off-peak days/hours to avoid disrupting others. Just start filming! Find a good place that's free of obstacles and not crowded (but close to your home) to practice. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Instagram via @somewhere_with_sora or email. Jackie Lasky I studied Computer Science in my undergraduate program, and I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in Data Analytics. I work full-time remotely as a Cybersecurity Engineer and spend all of my free time outdoors/adventuring and capturing those adventures through film and photography, often with my drone. I prefer drone video-editing the most and would love to make a side-career doing that someday.

Drones are transforming viticulture in ways more than one. Here's a quick lowdown on some of the most popular uses of drones in winemaking... By Ishveena Singh Winemakers have traditionally relied on instinct to make their good wines great. But now, farmers and vineyard owners chasing utter brilliance are turning to technology. More specifically, drone technology. That’s not to say that wineries were not exploring technology before the advent of drones. Bodegas Ayuso, arguably the most modern winery in Spain, has incorporated everything from automatic analysis and classification of grapes to self-emptying and self-cleaning tanks. Others have explored sensor-equipped tanks that can be remotely directed to cool down should any batch of fermenting grapes get too hot. But all that, more or less, relates to the core production and storage of the wine. Drones, meanwhile, come into the picture for everything that needs to be done before, and everything that comes after the cabernet, chardonnay, or merlot grapes make their way into the tanks. Drones in Winemaking: Imaging Capabilities for Precision Viticulture Water Stress Levels: California-based Jackson Family Wines has been using drones since 2015. The winery is best known for its Kendall-Jackson chardonnay, a supermarket staple. But it also supplies dozens of other wines to countries across the globe. With drought being a recurring condition in the state, the winery fires up drones to monitor the moisture in their crops. These drones are equipped with multispectral sensors that can detect moisture by evaluating the colors of vegetation. Disease Detection: This normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data can also be used to detect plant diseases such as the dreaded leaf roll that can delay fruit maturity and dramatically reduce fruit quality, pigmentation, vine vigor, and yield. In the meantime, European companies are using drones to detect flavescence dorée, which causes leaves to yellow and grapes to shrivel. Vineyard Management: Drone data, essentially, can help farmers to identify weak spots in a vineyard as well as areas with excessive vigor. This kind of knowledge can have a tremendous impact on the management of the vineyard. For example, if there’s a significant weak area, the winemaster may decide to harvest it last, or at a different time. Similarly, by relating the NDVI color classes to the ripeness and sugar levels of the grapes, different blocks in the vineyard can be harvested together to achieve more consistent wines. Drones for Fertilizer, Pesticide Spraying While China has been using drone spraying technology for over a decade, other countries are also quickly realizing the value of sprayer drones for high-value, low-acre crops such as grapes. Drones are more efficient than traditional hand-spraying and can easily supplement ground-based spraying vehicles as well. They can be used to apply pesticide or fertilizer to a smaller, targeted area as well, which a farmer can map out for the drone utilizing the data collected by NDVI cameras. Spraying drones can cover about four to five acres of farm area in one hour. Drones for Wine Marketing And now comes our favorite part, and something which we believe the Women Who Drone community can start with right off the bat: using drone photos and videos for vineyard marketing. Drone footage is the perfect tool to show the vast expanses and the sweeping views of the vineyards from a unique vantage point. This out-of-the-box perspective is a great asset for any promotional material. Vineyards can use it to create marketing videos, promote wine tours, or capture the entire winemaking process – right from the planting of the first seed to the harvesting and fermentation. Now, while these are some of the most effective ways in which vineyards are using drones, the applications of our flying machines do not end here. Farmers are using drones for security and surveillance purposes, and even to deter incoming birds that are known to cost some $80 million in crop damages in the state of Washington alone. Moreover, farm owners can leverage drones to map land contours for drainage. Whatever be the case, it’s safe to say drones are helping vineyards to improve both their bottom lines as well as the ‘drink of the Gods’! Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. She has been named as one of the 50 Rising Stars of the geospatial industry for the year 2021. In the last 13 years, Ishveena has worked with both mainstream media organizations (Miami Herald International, Times of India, Microsoft MSN) and dedicated geospatial technology media (Geospatial World, Geoawesomeness). With a deep understanding of content marketing and social media, Ishveena also helps private companies (DJI, Aerodyne Group, Terra Drone Corporation) to generate qualified leads through useful and timely content. When she is not making magic at her desk, you are likely to find Ishveena on road trips, eating her way through life, or binge-watching TV shows. Connect with her today on LinkedIn and Twitter