Here’s a quick and simple guide to meeting the FAA’s Part 89 Remote ID requirement By Ishveena Singh The Federal Aviation Administration’s Remote ID (Part 89) rule for drones became effective on April 21, 2021. In its simplest form, Remote ID can be described as a digital license plate for a drone. More broadly, Remote ID is a monumental step toward a regulatory environment wherein drone operations can be fully and safely integrated into US airspace. How does Remote ID work? Well, since a physical license plate wouldn’t be of much use on a small airborne drone, Remote ID works by sending radio signals to receivers on the ground. As such, this necessitates either having a drone with built-in capabilities to transmit these signals or attaching an external module to the drone to do the same thing. Why is Remote ID necessary? With Remote ID enabled, if a drone appears to be flying recklessly or illegally, the FAA and other law enforcement agencies would be able to figure out its control station or take-off location. With such unparalleled aerial accountability, Remote ID will make the skies safer for all. This means the public acceptance of drones will improve, making these flying machines more ubiquitous. And there will be new possibilities for drone pilots to fly without worrying about special waivers and exemptions, such as flying at night or directly over people. Remote ID: Important dates to remember While the Part 89 rule may have come into effect already, you actually don’t need to do anything immediately. The FAA is giving drone manufacturers until September 16, 2022, to make all the necessary upgrades to future drones. And after that, drone pilots will have until September 16, 2023, to meet the operating requirements of part 89. Which brings us to the big question: How do I meet the requirements of Remote ID? 3 ways drone pilots can meet the Remote ID rule 1. Operate a Remote ID compatible drone: A Standard Remote ID Drone is one that is manufactured with remote ID broadcast capability built-in. All DJI drones, for example, introduced to the market after September 2022 will have Remote ID capabilities built in. Interestingly, the FAA plans to allow Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations only to those drones that have Remote ID built-in. 2. Operate a drone with Remote ID broadcast module: A broadcast module is an external device that can be added to a drone to retrofit it with Remote ID capability. The caveat, however, remains that any pilot operating a drone with a remote ID broadcast module must be able to see their drone at all times during a flight. 3. Operate without Remote ID at FAA-recognized sites: Understanding that it may not be possible for everyone to meet the Remote ID requirements, especially those in research and development fields, the FAA has kept room for some exceptions. The agency is allowing community-based organizations and educational institutions to get their premises registered as FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs). In these FRIAs, drones without Remote ID would be able to operate legally within the pilot's visual line of sight. This excellent graphic by the FAA explains it quite nicely: The drone services market is estimated to grow to $63.6 billion by 2025, and regulations like Remote ID are crucial for sustaining the momentum and enabling greater commercial opportunities. And if this rule improves the social acceptance of the technology we all love, it has got our vote. 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

More and more drone manufacturers are looking to sedate the hum of their machines to improve the public acceptance of drones By Ishveena Singh Multiple studies have found that the annoying sound drones make is the biggest barrier to wider public acceptance of the flying robots – second only to concerns around privacy. According to a NASA study, people find the buzzing sound of drones more bothersome than the lower-frequency loud noises of ground vehicles. Furthermore, research by the University of Salford in Manchester, UK concludes that drone noise is less preferable than that of commercial aircraft – even if it’s at the same volume! So, in order to promote wider the adoption and commercialization of drones, more and more manufacturers are now looking to sedate the hum of their machines. Impact of propeller design on drone noise The noise level of drones is largely governed by the shape and design of their propellers. This is how DJI was able to achieve a staggering 60% reduction in noise power levels with the release of the Mavic Pro Platinum. And this is why you find many other drone operators going for aftermarket propellers designed to reduce noise. A quick disclaimer here, though: Using a third-party propeller is one of the easiest ways to void the warranty of your drone and might even cause damage to the machine. Machine learning to make propellers quieter But what if drones had propellers that were actually pleasant to hear? Aerospace engineers at Australia’s RMIT University are working to make this a possibility. The team is using machine learning to design quieter propellers, the prototypes of which are then 3D printed for experimental acoustic testing. And the results are impressive. The researchers have found that their prototypes produced around 15dB less noise than commercially available drone propellers. There are two major factors at work here: The numerical algorithms developed to design the propellers, and The consideration of how noise is perceived in the human ear Dr. Abdulghani Mohamed, aerospace engineer and lead researcher at RMIT University, says, “By using our algorithms to iterate through a variety of propeller designs, we were able to optimize for different metrics such as thrust, torque, sound directivity, and much more. We also formulated a new metric, which involves how the human ear perceives sound, and propose to use that in future designs.” The team believes this method for optimizing propeller design can be applied to small quadcopters and flying taxis designed to carry human passengers alike. Mohamed goes on to explain how various manipulations of propeller blade noise can significantly impact how the human ear perceives it: The modulation of high-frequency noise is a major factor in the human perception of rotor noise. Human ears are more sensitive to certain frequencies than others and our perception of sound also changes as we age. By designing to such metrics, which take into account human perception, we can design less annoying propellers, which one day may actually be pleasant to hear. It’s worth noting that a quieter propeller design has been a key selling point for Joby Aviation, a passenger mobility company that has recently made its public trading debut on the New York Stock Exchange. The video below showcases how starkly different Joby’s propellers are from the deep, thumping sounds produced by a helicopter: 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

Why the DJI FPV is the perfect beginner’s drone to get you acquainted with the world of FPV flying By Ishveena Singh Last month, DJI launched a new product that would introduce a lot of people to a different kind of flying: first-person view or FPV. FPV means instead of looking at the drone as it flies in the sky, you wear a pair of goggles to see what the drone is seeing in real-time. This amazing sensory experience makes you feel like it’s you who is flying. And this style of flying is most commonly seen in the world of drone racing. However, traditionally, if someone wanted to take the plunge into the world of FPV racing, they would need to learn how to build their own drone. Not anymore. The all-new DJI FPV drone has just removed a huge barrier to entry to the world of FPV flying by letting you experience the absolute thrill of immersive drone flight right out of the box. The intuitive aerial platform with a 10 km video transmission range and a max speed of 140 kph has been designed in such a manner that even a total novice could take basic flights on Day 1. Don’t fancy racing? Use the drone for freestyle FPV and capture dynamic, cinematic footage with its 4K/60fps 120 Mbps camera. DJI’s RockSteady stabilization technology will smooth out any shaky footage and eliminate the rolling shutter effect as you film fast-moving scenes. And that warped and unappealing fisheye look that is so common in FPV footage? Just select the ‘Distortion Correction’ feature in the camera menu and you’ll be set! Flight Modes to Match Skill Levels Since the DJI FPV drone is designed for everyone from beginners to professionals, there are three different flight modes available depending on the skill and experience of the pilot. In any case, there is a dedicated Emergency Brake and Hover feature is available in all flying modes to make the drone stop and hover in place at any time during the flight. Normal (N) Mode: If you’re new to FPV, you can use this mode to get a flying experience similar to other DJI drones. The FPV drone will hover in place with the use of GPS and/or visual positioning systems (VPS) on the bottom. This mode also houses the maximum safety features including obstacle detection sensors on the front. Manual (M) Mode: Designed for more experienced users, this is the mode where all sensors and hovering features are disabled and you take complete, limitless control. The drone goes from 0 to 100 kph in just 2 seconds! Sport (S) Mode: This new hybrid mode offers some of the dynamic movement capabilities that come with M mode along with some of the key safety features of N mode. Sports mode is the middle step that has been developed to give pilots more room to explore their skills as they get accustomed to FPV flying. Several different viewing modes are also available, including a High-Quality Mode, a Low-Latency Mode, and an Audience Mode where you can share your perspective with up to eight additional goggle sets to allow onlookers to experience the flight. Priced at $1,299, the standard FPV combo contains the drone itself, a dedicated remote controller, FPV Goggles V2, all required cables, and one battery. There’s an option to buy a slick new motion controller too for $199. 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

Skydio, inc is a drone and software production company that specializes in autonomous drones. Their debut drone, R1, launched in 2018 and made a name for itself by being the first drone to feature Skydio’s Autonomy Engine. After several major software updates, the R1 was able to autonomously track cars, fly autonomously over large bodies of water, and more. During the summer of 2019, the R1 sold out, and now, Skydio is back with a new drone that raises the bar for autonomous technology. In this video on the Women Who Drone YouTube channel, Elena reviews the Skydio 2 drone sent to her by Skydio themselves. In her review, Elena notes that the Skydio 2 is a light quadcopter with interesting propeller placement, 7 cameras, and a magnetic battery. Her package also came with a Skydio Beacon, which launched alongside their new drone. The Beacon is an accessory that uses GPS tracking so that the Skydio 2 will follow you wherever you go, even if you’re out of sight. Pilots can fly their new drone using the Beacon’s simple interface. Image Credit: Skydio, Inc. Test #1: Running For Elena’s first test, she runs while holding the Beacon. We can see the drone follow her from the front, back, and side. So far, she’s impressed with how well it followed her. The take-off and landing were smooth, and she thinks it stacks up against her other drones Test #2: In the Woods Elena’s next test takes place in the woods. While she’s walking and running through the woods with the Beacon, the Skydio 2 tracks her and navigates its way around the trees. She’s surprised that it hasn’t crashed and is impressed with its performance. Test #3: Riding a Bike In Elena’s third and final test, she tasks the Skydio 2 with following her while she rides her bike. In this test, the Beacon is in her pocket. Regardless, Skydio 2 is able to follow her from the back, lect, right, and front. From the drone's footage, you can see it tracking her using a light blue circle. Skydio describes their drone as “ the most uncrashable drone on the planet”. It uses a new deep learning system “to understand the environment around it”, which helps it to anticipate and avoid obstacles. We can see from Elena’s test that the Skydio 2 just might live up to that. Buy your Skydio 2 here: https://bit.ly/3gddZP9. If you’re interested in seeing more drone and drone accessory reviews, check out the Women Who Drone YouTube channel. 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 Tags: #WWD #WomenWhoDrone #DroneReview #Review #Skydio #Skydio2 #SkydioBeacon #Beacon #Autonomy #AutonomousDrones #GPSTracking #AutonomousTechnology

Company: Hamptons Drone Images Location: Southampton, New York Tell us about yourself. I will always be a student in life and I love finding hidden details in landscapes most others might miss. I strive to be creative and bring the world a new perspective on the details of our earth through aerial art. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I started building and flying model aircraft with my grandfather at a very young age. I got my first flight lesson at the age of 18 and fell in love. 20 years later, in 2016, I got my first drone and my life was forever changed. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I was a single mother raising two beautiful boys, a website designer, a programmer of home automation systems, and social media director for a public figure. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I'm currently flying the DJI Phantom 4 ProV2 and Mavic 2 Zoom. I have multiple PolarPro ND filters and batteries. Most recently, I got a portable generator so I can charge my batteries while flying. I found it takes time to find the perfect angle and perspective and true art can not be rushed. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I mostly fly manual since I like to have full control in-flight. The Mavic 2 Dolly Zoom mode is pretty cool, but the added aperture feature in the Pro series gives me my required in-flight editing flexibility. I really look forward to getting a lumecube for my P4ProV2. What drone images are you most proud of and why? 'Swampy Grasses' (below) was nominated at the 2020 NYC Drone Film Festival. Back in 2019, I dreamed of being included in this elite collection of professionals. The image was taken in the backyard of a friend's house. I really had no idea while flying that I was going to find such a gem in the after look. I take time to thoroughly inspect all images taken, this is where I find the little amazing details of our earth. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? It is an ever-changing industry. Read every day to keep up with the technology and regulations. Read, listen, practice, fly, crash and rebuild every day. Never be afraid to ask for help or advice. Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I am currently working on an ongoing project with a local National Cemetery, it is by far the most heart-touching and inspiring project I have had the privilege to be a part of. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Start with a small, non-automated drone like a Hubsan. Learn to fly manually first, study the regulations and when you do get the larger camera drones you will be far more comfortable in your first flights. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Education! The women in Women Who Drone are doing amazing things to bring knowledge to children. Flying drones brings a new perspective which creates an open mind. One must be aware of circumstances on the ground level and in the air which promotes high awareness and multitasking abilities. Plus, it is a great way to cultivate hand-eye coordination, technical skills, and creativity. All of which are great for developing minds! Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? After I launch, I always take a 360° pan video of the area. After a close inspection, I often find other areas or details that I want to revisit. I always check the weather, sun position, tides, wave heights, sunrise and set times, and of course NOTAMS which often dictates where and when I go to specific locations. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Email hamptonsdrone@gmail.com Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? Each day I am grateful for every person and place that comes along my path in life. Joanna has been flying and repairing drones since 2015. She has just clocked her 1500th flight hour. She has worked with the IDRA, Astral AR, written for sUAS News, and has done drone security for a public figure. She has done drone consulting for law enforcement agencies, townships, and speaking engagements for the AIA. She has had the honor of winning multiple international aerial photography awards. Her work can be found on The Weather Channel, WeatherNation, Accuweather, LiveStormChasers, StormHour, and news stations across the USA. She was nominated at the 2020 NYC Drone Film Festival, thanks to Airvuz, and was most recently thrilled to be accepted as a Women Who Drone Brand Ambassador. Joanna says she is a work in progress... always learning, practicing, and researching as a professional photographer/ videographer in The Hamptons, New York. #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #dronevideos #femaleempowerment

Female drone pilot-centric YouTube channels to follow and get inspired from in 2021 By Ishveena Singh So much awesome drone footage, so little time. YouTube is an amazing resource for anyone looking for high-quality drone video content, but the sheer amount of new content on YouTube often makes it difficult to figure out where you should even begin. And so, we’re here to help! If you're looking for some great female drone pilot-centric YouTube channels to follow and get inspired from in 2021, know that the recommendations below are run and managed by Women Who Drone community members – many of whom got the motivation to start their own channel while sheltering in place. Happy viewing! 1. OC Drone Photography Founded by Women Who Drone Brand Ambassador April McClure, the channel showcases aerial drone photography of commercial properties and business districts for promotional video production. You can also see stunning visuals of boats in action. 2. Sunrise Aerial Imaging Kim Reynolds uses a DJI Phantom 4 Pro at her company Sunrise Aerial Imaging to provide 4K aerial photos and videos to her clients. Her YouTube channel showcases some of her best work. 3. Hamptons Drone Images Joanna L Steidle An artist with a drone, Joanna Steidle has been flying and repairing drones since 2015, and has just clocked her 1500th flight hour. And even though she has joined our community only recently, Joanna has captured some of the most stunning shots that you would see on 'Women Who Drone' Facebook group page! 4. Drone Life by Christie Hobbyist drone pilot Christie Christopherson features some of the most beautiful places she has been to on her YouTube channel. Make sure to check out her one-minute nature meditation aerial videos! 5. JenNYC263 Jennifer Maskell is an amateur photographer/videographer/drone pilot who likes to share her love for the outdoors through her YouTube channel. You will find a lot of Osmo Action in the videos created by this NYC native. 6. Katrin Pfitzenreiter Katrin Pfitzenreiter likes to share videos that showcase destinations, nature, places to visit, insights, real estate/relocation information for Florida. Her vision is for you to use the videos to decide if it is worth going to, maybe even moving to or learning more about! 7. Cecilia Blomdahl Cecilia is a Swedish girl living on Svalbard, an arctic island close to the North Pole, for 5 years now. She uses drone footage in her videos about the daily life in the Northernmost town in the world. (They have Polar Bears there!) 8. Andrea Villanueva Andrea captures beautiful cinematic shots with her DJI Mavic Mini and also offers useful tutorial videos such as "What do I need to bring before flying a drone for the first time?" The channel, however, is not dedicated to drone footage only; you get a chance to rejoice in Andrea's family celebrations also! 9. Flyover Drone Footage Aerial photographer and videographer Dilly Morgan loves to fly her DJI Mavic Mini in the Spanish mountains and her YouTube channel is a testimony to that. Hop over for some breathtaking views of Costa Blanca. 10. Amanda I Above AZ A longtime drone user, Amanda Ochs makes it a point to watch at least one photography tutorial a week as she documents Arizona from up above. She is FAA licensed and open to commercial work. Architecture photography excites her the most! 11. Bonus Recommendation: Women Who Drone And of course, if you are not following us on YouTube yet, do so now for the latest drone reviews, tips and tricks, and interviews with fabulous female drone pilots! Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 13 years, she 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

Company: Lauren Guarneri Films Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Tell us about yourself. My name is Lauren Guarneri, and I have a love for storytelling! I've always been obsessed with movies for as long as I can remember, and I've been writing my own stories since before I even knew how to spell. I started my journey to become a film director about 3 years ago, and I've been directing mostly music videos for local artists around Montreal. I have been flying drones since 2017, and in 2020 I got certified, insured, and started my own company to fly drones in films and promotional content. I'd love to be able to work on environmental documentaries to use my talents for climate justice. I'm also certified in scuba so that I can provide on the ground, above ground, and underwater footage. What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I was inspired to fly drones because I am a tech nerd and I already worked in the film industry. Naturally, drones popped up on my radar pretty quickly. I was always mesmerized by aerial footage and thought it'd be a great and cinematic way to capture my travels and practice honing my video making skills. It took a couple of years, but I bought my first second-hand drone in 2017 and began traveling with it. When I started working on bigger sets as a production assistant, I was able to meet professional drone pilots and told them I had a drone and loved flying it. They immediately pointed out there was a need for women in the industry. After that, nothing could stop me. I got my advanced certification from Transport Canada and started working as a drone operator almost instantly. I started my own company providing aerial production services this year, so it's only the beginning of something great. What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I had just graduated from university with a degree in communications and was lost about where to start my career and in what. I was thinking about working in an office but knew I would never be happy doing that. I had to own my creativity and at least not be scared to try a job in the creative field, so I started to focus on filmmaking and directing. At that point, I was using drones for fun, but it quickly turned into a career opportunity. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I have the Mavic 2 Pro, and I absolutely love the Polar Pro cinema series filters. Living in a country with this much snow, bright and sunny days can get you blown out footage pretty easily, so filters are a must! What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I usually control and film manually, but I have to say I love the hyperlapse feature! It can capture such eye-grabbing footage, and all you have to do is set it up and let it do its thing. I also love sport mode, so I can film action with speed. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I mostly do video, but I've been getting into aerial photography in the last couple of months, and I have to say, I'm a fan. I'm pretty proud of my images of Saint Joseph's Oratory and the Percé Rock. I love these because they were both filmed at sunrise and they both capture the essence of calm and serenity. Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? I've learned that your credibility is often questioned, but you can't let it bother you. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a woman or my age, but it happens often that people question me before they even see my work or meet me in person. The biggest thing you can do is let the anger and frustration go and come at it with a professional tone. That way, you can sort of give an implied 'I told you so' when you show them what you can do. Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. My most memorable has to be a commercial shoot I did for a school. All the kids thought what I was doing was so cool, and they were asking me so many questions about how I do what I do, so I can't help but hope I inspired a few of them. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? Don't be afraid to try something out of your comfort zone. It's intimidating at first, but the fact that you may sometimes be the only woman in a sea of men is kind of a rush and makes you stand out. Use that to your advantage. Tech is not only a guy thing, and it's okay to like it too. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? The fact that there will be more female perspectives in films and cinematography. I think the industry is severely lacking that, and there's just something different about the female eye. Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? If you live in a cold climate, that doesn't mean you can't drone at all. Check the temperature range of your drone and always carry hand warmers for your batteries to make sure they're warm and ready for a flight. Also, I turn down the sensitivity of my joysticks so that I don't get choppy footage if I brake or turn too fast accidentally. But be warned: that also means slower reaction times if you need to stop quickly. What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? You can visit my website laurenguarnerifilms.com and all my contact information is on there! Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? I want people to know that it's just the start! If you want to collaborate on a project — especially if it's on the topic of sustainability, preservation, and protection — just get in touch with me through my website! Lauren Guarneri is a director, writer, editor, and commercial drone operator based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her all-around passion and dedication to her craft have made her a prominent figure in the Montreal film scene. She is also president of her own production company offering aerial video and photo services.

Here's where you can watch Walmart’s Drone Light Shows in person this holiday season By Ishveena Singh With COVID-19 cases still surging across the United States, the end-of-year holiday season is already looking a lot different than normal. Experts have warned against hosting large parties or traveling to visit friends and family, insisting that staying home is the best option this winter. And so, retail giant Walmart has come up with a solution to ensure that at least some communities across the country can experience the joy and wonder of the holiday celebrations – even in these challenging times. The ‘Walmart Holiday Drone Light Show’ will light up the skies in eight US cities throughout December. The retail corporation has partnered with Intel for this special live-streamed event. Nearly 1,000 Intel drones will light up the skies and create 3D shapes and characters, like snowflakes, reindeer, snowmen, and holiday presents. The drone light show will be choreographed to the music of classic and modern holiday favorites, such as ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by Bing Crosby and Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Run Run Rudolph’. Before the drones take flight, local DJs and a short holiday special, ‘DreamWorks Trolls Holiday,’ will keep the drive-in families entertained. William White, chief marketing officer at Walmart, says, “After a particularly tough year, we want to help families end the year looking up. We want customers and communities to enjoy a moment of rest, peace, and hope.” The drone light show will take place from Dec 4 - Dec 20, 2020, at the following locations: Friday, Dec. 4: Kansas City, Kansas at Kansas Speedway Saturday, Dec. 5: Dallas, Texas at the Cotton Bowl Wednesday, Dec. 9: San Antonio, Texas at Six Flags Fiesta Texas Thursday, Dec. 10: Doswell, Virginia at Kings Dominion Sunday, Dec. 13: Phoenix, Arizona at Phoenix Raceway Wednesday, Dec. 16: Charlotte, North Carolina at Carowinds Friday, Dec. 18: Sacramento, California at Sleep Train Arena Sunday, Dec. 20: Fayetteville, Arkansas at 112 Drive-In Families can click here to reserve free tickets and watch the show from the safety of their own car or a designated viewing area right next to their car. For everyone’s safety, tickets are not being made available at the gates. The show will also be broadcast live from Walmart’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok channels for those who have missed the chance to grab a ticket or do not live in the eight lucky communities chosen by Walmart. Intel is pioneering drone light shows by dazzling audiences on some of the world’s biggest stages. With the company’s skilled animators and world-class operations team blurring the boundaries between art and science, Intel’s purpose-built drone light show technology has created 5 world records and won multiple Cannes Lions and Clio Awards. Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she 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

Company: SolarPoweredBlonde Location: London, UK Tell us about yourself. Two years ago I quit my job as a nurse to travel full time. I had started my Instagram about a year before and traveled at any opportunity I had. I would finish a 13-hour night shift and head straight to the airport and come back just before my next shift. I knew I wanted to travel full time and that no amount of holidays would satisfy my need to travel! I initially took a career break, but shortly after leaving to travel, I got my first few online jobs. At that point, I told the hospital I wasn't coming back! I took a risk and it was the best decision I ever made. I traveled full time with my partner Boyan (@boyanoo). Now I work online doing social media management, I do photography jobs, work with tourism boards on content creation, and run my travel blog, as well as videography with my partner. I am busier than ever and so happy! What inspired you to begin flying drones, and what made you want to enter the industry as a drone pilot? I was interested in drones for a while actually and this is how I met my partner via Instagram as I was obsessed with his photos! He was the one that got me into drones and I haven't stopped ever since. I take my drone with me everywhere, as you never know what you will find! I have never regretted taking my drone somewhere, but I have regretted not taking it! I just love the unique perspective a drone gives. I also thought that there are a lot of female travel bloggers now, but very few that actually pilot a drone themselves. I love having the freedom to take photos of myself without having to use a tripod too, my drone is like my own tripod in the sky! Some places you also really need a drone, such as Old Harry Rocks in England. From the sky, you can see how incredible this place is, a very different feeling to when you are walking along the rocks. For the blog, it is a great way to show exactly what a place is like, and can be good to show the scale of some places! What were you doing before you started flying drones, and what made you make the transition? I was using my DSLR to take photos, but it is sometimes hard to show the scale of a place with a camera. Also, it is a bit cheeky, but you can sit and fly a drone and get so many more photos than having to walk everywhere and take photos with a camera! This was very useful in the Faroe Islands (above) where it was slippery and in some places it was hard to walk, so having the drone was very helpful. I saw how creative people were being with drones and the amazing landscapes being captured and I knew I wanted this too! Then I had one of my first travel jobs in the Maldives and knew I couldn't go without a drone. What drone(s) are you currently flying, and what drone accessories do you love? I have a DJI Mavic 1 at the moment and I always have my ND filters ready. I recently swapped from a hard case to a drone bag, and have found this very useful as it fits much better in my bag. What is your favorite feature on your drone and why? I love the portrait mode! As I take most of my photos for Instagram and for my blog, portrait mode means the photo is a perfect size and I won't have to crop much out. What drone images are you most proud of and why? I have always loved basketball court shots, and I recently found a totally undiscovered court in London, so I am very proud of that shot! Also as I was patient and waited for the sun to come out so I loved the shadow my bike created on the court too. In the Faroe Islands, I was proud of my shots as it was so windy. I am glad I managed to get a few shots given the conditions and being above the sea a lot! Have you learned any valuable lessons from being in the drone industry that you can share with our female drone community? My number one tip is to definitely go with a well-trusted brand. My first ever drone I took to this Maldives was on the cheaper side and drifted into a palm tree on day 3... I thought I was a terrible pilot and yet now I have had my DJI Mavic 1 for 2 years and (touch wood) no issues! I have heard so many people having problems with drones drifting, so I would say it is definitely worth it to invest in a good drone from the get-go! Whether it's from a creative, commercial, or humanitarian perspective, tell us about the most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. Some of my most memorable drone flights were in the Philippines! I usually always had my boyfriend there for support but here I was finally alone with my drone with no one to fall back on for the first time. Every day I was doing boat trips and exploring, so I had a lot of practice taking off and landing on a boat. Now I feel so much more confident after that, and the shots came out great! I also only had a few batteries to last me all day so I had to make sure I was efficient with the flight so that I could get at least two flights out of each battery throughout the day. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? It's not only men that can drone! Take it into your own hands, it is the best way to get photos without having to rely on anyone else. If I can do it, and I have never gamed or used a controller like this before, then you can too! You can get so creative with props, shadows, it really adds a whole new dimension to your photography. What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? To see all the creativity out there! I see so many women who are amazing photographers but are too scared to fly a drone, you will be a great drone photographer too I'm sure so just go for it! It's great to expand the community and to share tips! Do you have any drone tips & tricks you can share with our audience? I didn't know this for far too long, but my main tip is to make sure your polarizing filter is on the right way up! I always hold it to my eye and look at the water I will be flying over. At some angles, the reflections will still be there, and once they disappear and you can see clearly with no glare, place the filter on your lens in the exact same position. If you can, make sure you contrast with your background in your drone shots! If you are in a green field, wear white or red so you pop out of the image. This will give it more of a subject and will show how large the landscape is around you. I have a whole blog on drone photography tips so I won't go on for too long here! What's the best way for our readers to get in touch with you? Feel free to send me a DM @solarpoweredblonde or email me at solarpoweredblonde@gmail.com Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? Always feel free to ask me anything! I'm so happy to help, anything photography, blogging, drones, full-time travel related! I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for asking questions so ask away! Hanna is a full-time traveler and content creator. She runs a travel blog called SolarPoweredBlonde and won't leave the house without her camera and drone because you never know what you might find! #PilotSpotlight #dronephotography #femaledronepilot #bussinesswomen #DJIMavicAir #LondonDronePilot #dronevideos #femaleempowerment

Treeswift has equipped autonomous drone swarms with LiDAR sensors to monitor, inventory, and map forests By Ishveena Singh Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the Earth’s ecosystem. They are one of the biggest parts of the climate solution puzzle. But did you know that the world loses an area of tropical forests the size of a football pitch every 6 seconds? According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the consumption of tropical timber by the US and other industrial countries plays a significant role in this tropical deforestation. Add to that the fact that tropical wildfires, which used to be quite rare in the past, are also increasing with the rise in deforestation, and you’re left tiptoeing on the precipice of climate catastrophe. Foresters and environmental researchers say these threats are further complicated because they lack the quantitative information needed to make important decisions to preserve the forests. This is why Norway is funding a $44 million high-res satellite map of the world’s forests. And this is why Treeswift, a spin-off company from Penn Engineering’s GRASP Lab, is equipping swarms of autonomous drones with LiDAR sensors to monitor, inventory, and map timberland. What does Treeswift do? Treeswift’s drones navigate through forests independently, collecting images of the land. Once the data is ready for post-processing, deep learning technologies are leveraged to segment the trees from the point clouds. The four engineering students who have co-founded Treeswift have used a custom virtual reality program to train the machine learning algorithms. The resulting output is a high-resolution 3D reconstruction that displays even the finest details of every tree structure. These 3D maps can be analyzed for precise, quantifiable measurements of any given forest’s biomass. Treeswift is currently focusing on three major target applications for this data: Inventory calculation for the timber industry Mapping forests for preservation Measuring forest biomass and fuel to prevent the spread of wildfires Steven Chen, co-founder and CEO of Treeswift, says, “We are trying to build a general system that solves a lot of problems. Our main customer base right now is industrial forestry, but we are looking into opportunities that would enable us to work in wildfire forest management as well.” Drones vs Satellite Imagery But how relevant is drone mapping of forests in a day and age when countries like Norway are making high-res satellite data of forests accessible to researchers anyway? Guilherme Vicentim Nardari, a Penn Engineering alumnus and a doctoral student at the Center for Robotics at the University of São Paulo in Brazil, explains: “In Brazil, deforestation is a major issue. Images from satellites can’t tell the full story of what’s going on in a given area, and sometimes trees are cut down selectively, meaning only some are cut down while others remain. You can’t tell this is happening from satellite images, but with drone images, you can.” Moreover, as Chen points out, with satellite images you can only see the canopy or the tops of the trees. “You need to be able to see below that, to the surface fuel and growth as well. That’s why I believe robotics can fill the gap in data collection for the forest service.” In any case, using drones will be a huge improvement over the current manual practices of gathering forest data in the US, wherein foresters go out into the woods, earmark samples of land, calculate the trees by hand using a tape measure, and extrapolate the sample numbers into estimates about forest size, biomass, et al. “With drones, we can go out and collect and process data into maps and metrics. Then, we can use AI to figure out what’s actually going on in the timberlands. We can make predictive models that would tell you if you took X action, you would likely have Y result,” Chen sums up. Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she 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

SnotBot builds on 2010’s Ig Nobel prize-winning idea of using flying machines for whale research By Ishveena Singh It's the mid-2000s. Veterinarian and conservation biologist Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse straps on a few Petri dishes to a remote-controlled toy-sized helicopter and sails into the Gulf of California looking for whales. She wants to collect their boogers to study their health. And flying a mini-chopper over a whale just as it evacuates its blow-hole seems much safer than the technique Karina had tried before: Tying herself to a research boat and leaning overboard to catch the coveted snot! Her wacky toy helicopter idea got the London-based scientist and her team at Zoological Society of London an ‘Ig Nobel’ Prize for Engineering in 2010. (Ig Nobel is a good-natured parody of the Nobel Prize, honoring achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think!) Fast-forward a decade and whale snot becomes serious business. The Drones for Whale Research (DFWR) program emerges at a nonprofit organization called Ocean Alliance. And they partner with Olin College of Engineering to build a customized drone which would hover in the air above a surfacing whale and collect samples from its 30-feet-high sneeze, before returning safely to researchers who are positioned about half a mile away. Ocean Alliance names its custom drone SnotBot. But how does the drone, a modified DJI Inspire 2, weather the slurry of hot air and sticky mucus gushing from the whale's blowhole? Ocean Alliance’s CEO, Dr. Iain Kerr, explains this to HowStuffWorks. “SnotBot is a very counter-intuitive tool. The whale blows snot up in the air but the drone pushes air down to fly, so technically the snot should just be blown away. Also, the collection Petri dishes are on the top of the drone not on the bottom. So how does this work? We approach a whale from behind as it is moving forward and the snot arcs up and is sucked back down onto the top of the drone where the Petri dishes are waiting.” The nonprofit says it crashed a lot of drones while working out the technological hurdles (some even on purpose) but wound up with a system that could be count on to gather the vital data. With thousands of whales getting killed or injured every year because of human activities, the initiative could not be more opportune. The blow samples that SnotBot collects contain microbiomes, whale DNA, viruses, tissue particles, as well as stress and pregnancy hormones, among other indicators of the marine mammal’s health. The non-invasive data collection procedure is much more affordable and practical than traditional methods, wherein scientists have to rely on samples from dead, stranded, or captive animals – in no way a true representation of the normal population. Little wonder that Ocean Alliance was able to get Sir Patrick Stewart on board to support the program! Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she 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

Explore the recommendations made by the female pilots of the Women Who Drone community... By Ishveena Singh Drone photography is a work of art that requires more planning than people would like to believe. Budding drone hobbyists need both education and practice before they can get the absolute best aerial photos with their new flying robot. With this in mind, we turned to our trusted community of female pilots for recommendations on practical drone photography books that would both show the way and inject some inspiration into those who are just starting to explore their horizons with drones. Here are the top 5 books women pilots in our community recommend: Masters Of Drone Photography By Fergus Kennedy; $23.60 (Hardcover) Through probing Q&A style interviews, beautifully reproduced images, captions telling the story of each picture, and detailed technical information, this book gives the reader an insight into the working practices of 16 photographers – right from their career paths and inspirations, to the equipment and techniques they employ to create their breathtaking and visionary works. The Handbook of Drone Photography By Chase Guttman; $7.70 (Paperback) Authored by award-winning travel photographer Chase Guttman, this book covers everything one needs to choose the right drone, to get airborne, and to capture and share incredible content. With easy and straightforward instruction, the text will familiarize you with both the craft of photography and controlling the drone. The book contains detailed photography tips to help you bring your artistic vision to life. Photographer’s Guide to Drones By Colin Smith; $24.99 (Paperback) With the book featuring award-winning and beautiful aerial photography, expect to learn: How to fly a drone, including practice flight patterns and controller tips that will help readers master the basics New rules of composition for aerial photography as they apply to drone and quadcopter imagery How to create the best files for both still photos and video Post-processing techniques unique to aerial photography that you would need to know, such as how to make videos look both dynamic and smooth Eyes over the World By Dirk Dallas; $24.99 (Hardcover) Paying homage to the breathtaking beauty of our planet, Eyes over the World features an eclectic range of natural wonders and man-made oddities captured by both luminaries and amateurs alike in the burgeoning drone-photography community. Edited by drone-photography expert and the creator of the From Where I Drone Instagram account Dirk Dallas, this fantastic book offers a new sense of perspective and awe gained by drone tech. Art from above Cape Cod By Christopher Gibbs; $23.49 (Hardcover) This book is the culmination of three years of drone pilot Chris Gibbs’ aerial journeys across one of the most striking landmasses in North America. More than 150 select images will give you all the inspiration you need to capture wildlife and weather, boats and beaches, famous landmarks, and hidden gems. The mesmerizing colors, abstracted landscape, and tidal patterns of Cape Cod only offer a more intimate view of a cherished national treasure. Would you like to recommend a drone photography book not listed in this blog? Tell us about your favorite aerial photography books on our social media handles! Ishveena Singh is a versatile journalist and writer with a passion for drones and location technologies. In the last 12 years, she 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, Terra Drone) 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