You read that correctly. Do not adjust your screens. Women Who Drone is officially partnered with Getty Images, one of the largest distributors of visual content in the world. The Getty Images Women Who Drone Collection features the aerial content of female drone pilots around the world. This is very exciting news and a sign of WWD's stellar growth since its inception in October 2017. For those of you who are unaware, Getty Images, Inc. is a widely used media licensing agency that sells stock photos, video, music and multimedia products. Their business serves customers in over 100 countries and was the world's first online image licensing agency. Getty Images is responsible for modernizing the stock photo industry, and this partnership is an important step in accomplishing Women Who Drone's goals of inspiring women and girls to join the UAV industry. Through Getty Images, women can share their aerial photography and cinematography and be compensated for it on a large scale. The collection is currently open to female drone pilots who are Certified Drone Pilots in the U.S.A. as well as Women Who Drone's Brand Ambassadors in other countries. To become a Brand Ambassador, check out the application process here. By providing them with a platform, Getty Images is increasing the visibility of female pilots and giving more creators the opportunity to sell their content and prosper. This in turn exposes other women and girls to drones and the UAV industry, encouraging them to channel their creativity into the tech world. This is not the first time that Getty Images has tackled this issue and shown an interest in inspiring women and girls. Getty Images has worked with other well-known brands that focus on women and created collections for this purpose. Last year, Refinery29 expanded their partnership to create their No Apologies collection, a library of images composed with the intention of "accurately representing women’s bodies, diversity, and the experiences that women face in their everyday lives." Women are looking for body positive and authentic images to identify with and this collection is meant to be an answer. Another collection conceived expressly for the empowerment of women is their Lean In collection which currently features around 6,000 curated images. Pam Grossman, Director of Visual Trends at Getty Images, states that part of her job is "broadening what beauty and power can look like." As a result, Grossman collaborated with the non-profit Lean In to launch the collection with the goal of these images changing the current perception of gender roles. Together in 2014, they curated a collection of stock media that reflects the diversity of backgrounds and careers of everyday women and girls, describing their collection as "a library of images devoted to the powerful depiction of women, girls and the people who support them." Ultimately, this collaboration serves as an addition to the growing media presence of women and girls in diverse roles in society. Media influences much of our perception from an early age. We encounter many forms of media in our daily lives, and what we see can become what we expect from the world. The increasing visibility of female professionals normalizes women working in roles typically shown to be occupied by men. Visit our Getty Images collection here. 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: #Getty #GettyImages #WWD #WomenWhoDrone #WomenWhoDroneXGettyImages #DronePhotography #DroneVideography #DroneCinematography #AerialContent #LeanInCollection #Refinery29 #NoApologiesCollection #WWDBrandAmbassadors #platforms #UAVIndustry

The commercial drone industry has had to fight negative press since its inception. Five years ago, when drones were just starting to be sold widely for aerial photography and videography, public opinion commonly held that drones were either aerial killing machines or creepy tools for invading your privacy. Since then drones have become more mainstream, but public opinion has been slow to fully catch up. Until now. With the advent of the coronavirus, drones have rocketed into the public eye as a useful tool for fighting its spread. In recent weeks we’ve seen articles in major news outlets describing the various ways that drones are being used to fight the spread of COVID-19, bringing drone technology thoroughly into the mainstream as a public good. In this article, we’re going to look at seven different ways drones are being used to fight COVID-19 throughout the world. The list is roughly organized from the most common to the least common use cases, based on the amount of coverage we’ve seen of each one. 1. Flying Loudspeakers One of the most common use case for drones in the COVID-19 fight is as flying loudspeakers. While the approach taken has varied from one country—or even one county—to the next, the general idea is that drones can fly over a crowd and share information via a loudspeaker about the importance of social distancing without requiring a person to walk up and speak, thus keeping public safety officers out of harm’s way while still conveying important messages. In Wuhan, China, drones have been used as a loudspeaker to fly over people congregating or not wearing masks and ask them to go home, or to put on masks. In Chula Vista, CA, where the police department is a member of the federal UAS Integration Pilot Program (UAS IPP), the police plan to use drones to broadcast social distancing information among vulnerable homeless populations. Here is a list of just some of the countries we’ve heard of that are using drones as loudspeakers to fight the spread of COVID-19: Belgium Brazil China France Portugal Spain United States 2. Enforcement of Curfews and Quarantines In addition to using drones to broadcast messages about key safety practices to avoid the spread of COVID-19, public safety agencies throughout the world have been using drone technology to help with curfew and quarantine compliance. Image Credit: XAG The most common use case here is for those in public safety to utilize drones to find out about large gatherings of people—that is, gatherings that pose a high risk of spreading the coronavirus—and then try to break them up using drones as a loudspeaker or simply driving by with a megaphone. This is another use case that has seen widespread adoption, with countries as diverse as Morocco, the Netherlands, France, and Spain using it. 3. Medical Drone Delivery When people talk about using drones to fight the spread of the coronavirus, medical drone deliveries are often top of mind. Image Credit: UPS We’ve seen drone deliveries picking up speed in the last three months, since quarantine efforts have been implemented throughout the world. Terra Drone’s Antwork has been conducting medical drone deliveries in China to help minimize human contact and reduce the chances of spreading the virus. And in the U.S., companies like UPS and Zipline have started ramping up medical drone deliveries to help with anti-COVID-19 efforts. Similar medical delivery work is underway throughout the world. 4. Package Drone Delivery Package delivery by drone is another way that drones are helping reduce human contact, and thus contributing to containment efforts during the global pandemic. Wing’s commercial drone delivery program in Christiansburg, VA has grown exponentially since quarantine efforts began, making a record 1,000 deliveries within two weeks in April alone. Image Credit: Wing Two other drone delivery programs have been recently launched in the U.S.—both within the line of visual sight (VLOS)—one by Flytrex in North Dakota, and one by UPS in Florida for prescription medications. 5. Spraying Disinfectant One of the more novel uses for drones in the COVID-19 fight has been retrofitting agricultural drones, made to spray substances like insecticides to help with farming, so that they can spray disinfectant instead. Image Credit: DJI In China, both DJI and XAG have made changes to their ag drones so that they can be used to spray disinfectants. DJI’s Agras drone has been used to spray a chlorine alcohol-based disinfectant in areas potentially affected by the coronavirus, covering over 3 million square meters with disinfectant in Shenzhen, where the company is based. The company says that spraying disinfectant is “50 times faster than traditional methods.” In addition to outfitting its drones to spray disinfectant, XAG has established a fund of 5 million yuan (about $715,000) to support volunteers who want to use the company's agriculture drones to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. 6. Carrying Banners A less common use case for drones in the COVID-19 fight is outfitting them as flying banners, carrying important information about how to prevent the spread of the virus. 7. Taking Thermal Readings When the coronavirus first hit the global stage there was a lot of talk about how drones outfitted with thermal cameras could help prevent its spread. Image Credit: Draganfly The two primary use cases for thermal drones in the COVID-19 fight are 1) To take temperatures remotely so those who might be infected can find out without having to leave their homes, and 2) To identify those in a crowd who might be sick with COVID-19 so that they can be removed them from the crowd in order to avoid spreading the virus. The first thermal use case has seen some traction in China, as you can see in the video below. However, the second use case seems to be mostly hype. Although some companies have talked a lot about the value of remote thermal readings for security at large events in the new world of the coronavirus, the truth seems to be that thermal technology is better suited for temperature readings in crowds by being placed in a static location on the ground, not flying overhead.

As the drone industry exits its infancy and moves into full adulthood we’re seeing more and more drones being created for specific applications. The Parrot Bluegrass is made just for agricultural use cases, while Impossible Aerospace’s US-1 is made for public safety uses (with a special emphasis on law enforcement applications). Even when you look at the commercial drones created by DJI, the largest drone manufacturer in the world, they’re starting to be focused on more narrow use cases. In advertising its latest drone in the Matrice line, the M300, the company has focused more narrowly on the public safety and inspection sectors, including several features made just to support those two areas. Image Credit: DJI Following this trend in commercial drones, Flyability’s Elios 2 is a drone made just for flying indoors. It sits in a cage designed to allow the drone to sustain collisions while in flight, making it ideal for flying in confined spaces where crashing is likely. The most common uses for an indoor drone like the Elios 2 are for industrial inspections in industries like Oil & Gas or Mining, where being able to collect visual data is a crucial part of operations, but can also pose many hazards and challenges. Image Credit: Flyability Drones are a great way to collect visual data without harming or even needing to touch an asset, since they can fly close to it and film without ever having to touch its surface. Collecting data in this manner, where the object being examined isn’t physically affected in any way, is called Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) by inspectors—NDT can refer to a drone filming the inside of a chimney during an inspection or even to a doctor taking an X-ray to better understand a patient’s injury. Using a caged indoor drone, you can fly into a huge boiler, pressure vessel, or stope (a mining term for an excavation) and get high quality video on its condition. As drones continue to improve, they’re starting to be able to fully replace the need to send people into these dangerous, confined spaces. Here are five ways that indoor drones are improving inspections today. 1. Safety Using an indoor drone to collect video and images inside an asset can replace the need for an inspector to physically enter it. This means a huge reduction in exposing inspectors to hazardous situations and a big increase in safety. 2. Savings Indoor industrial inspections can be incredibly expensive because they often require inspectors to build single-use scaffolding just to reach everything inside the object being inspected. The materials and labor alone that are required to build this scaffolding can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Also, the time taken to erect and take down scaffolding means longer downtimes for the thing being inspected. In the case of a boiler or some other piece of equipment essential to an industrial process like refining oil, this downtime can represent as much as a million dollars a day in lost revenue. Using an indoor drone to remove the need for scaffolding can reduce downtimes by several days, which means huge potential savings for companies that require these types of inspections. Image Credit: Flyability 3. Higher Quality Videos and Photos As drones improve, so do the cameras they use. In some cases, using a drone to collect video and stills during an inspection can mean a higher quality visual output for inspectors than they might get using either their naked eye or the cameras otherwise available to them. 4. Increased Frequency of Inspections In addition to savings, indoor drones can help improve the overall efficiency of inspections by removing all of the extra steps that must be taken when a person has to physically enter a confined space. Because of the reduction in expenses and increase in efficiency enabled by indoor drones, many companies that use indoor drones have started increasing the frequency of their inspections, performing inspections even three or four times more often a year than they had when conducting them manually. This increased frequency means that potential problems in assets get revealed more quickly, thus further enhancing the safety on site. Increasing the frequency of inspections can also help reduce harmful emissions and increase the longevity of a company’s assets, since potential problems can be uncovered and addressed even earlier in the maintenance process. 5. Improved Record of Past Inspections Video captured by indoor drones like the Elios 2 can be reviewed for specific measurements inside of an asset, allowing inspectors to see where exactly a flaw is located. This information can be saved as a historic record of an asset, a kind of visual footprint of the asset's condition at a specific moment in time, allowing inspectors to return to that data later to see how a problem might have developed. Image Credit: Flyability

Image Credit: Drone Racing League First, what is Drone Racing? Drone racing is unlike any other speed competition, and it's probably more than what you would expect it to be. Rather than simply flying a quadcopter from point A to point B, drone racing is an FPV sport that challenges its pilots to fly at high speeds through obstacle courses. FPV means that the pilots have a first-person view of their drone camera footage through FPV goggles. Thus, the racers are immersed in a high-flying competition of speed and strategy. About the Drone Racing League The inklings of drone racing popularity can be traced back to Australia. There, amateur underground circuits were starting to boom in popularity. In the United States, the professional Drone Racing League was founded in 2015 by Nick Horbaczewski and launched its first season in 2016. As of 2018, the DRL is on its 3rd season which will start airing September 6th on ESPN. Each season consists of races in many iconic locations around the world including Atlanta, Munich, and London, and the League engineers custom built drones specifically for racing for their pilots to use. Currently, the DRL’s roster consists of 18 pilots from 6 different countries: Canada, The United States, Germany, The Netherlands, England, and France. Image Credit: Drone Racing League How to Stay in the Know Races are now available for viewing on iTunes, and you can find clips and announcements on the DRL’s official YouTube channel. They also have a Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram. For more information on The Drone Racing League and their events, check out their official website. There, you can create an account and sign up for their newsletter or apply to become a pilot. If you want to experience what it feels like to be a DRL pilot, there is an FPV simulator on their website. 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: #DRL #DroneRacingLeague #TheDroneRacingLeague #DroneRacing #FPV #FPVRacing #ESPN #FPVSport #NickHorbaczewski #FPVSimulator #FirstPersonView #DroneRacingSimulator #DRLGame #DRLSimulator #TheDroneRacingLeagueSimulator #DroneRacingGame

Watch as Women Who Drone founder Elena Buenrostro shares her story about how she became interested in drones and what she has set out to accomplish with her company. Women Who Drone (WWD) is an online platform and community that inspires and educates women and girls using drone technology. Elena describes her job as being an aerial cinematographer and photographer who can pilot a drone to capture the world from above. She thinks that the Drone industry is exciting because it's growing and it combines technology and creativity. Before drones became commercially available, aerial cinematography previously had to be done by hiring a helicopter. Growing up, Elena aimed to be the first member of her family to graduate from high school and college. After graduating from high school, Elena wanted to accomplish her dream of taking a solo trip to China and hiking the Great Wall. She also wanted to make a video of it since she was interested in being a professional video producer. Researching how to do so led her to drones. Eventually, she fell in love with filming with drones, and it was this love that then led her to create Women Who Drone, a global community of women, connecting with each other, answering questions, and sharing content they’ve created. As a Latina and a woman, Elena notes that it is rare to see people like her working in the drone industry. When she goes to schools to teach girls about drone technology, she recalls that initially, the girls are uninterested, but when she tells them her story and shows them what she can do, they become intrigued. Elena ends her story poignantly by stating, “The more and more we reach out to younger girls, and we teach them about drone technology, but we also share with them our culture and where we grew up, the more inspired they will become by hearing stories that they can connect to from women like themselves.” 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: #WomenWhoDrone #WWD #ElenaBuenrostro #OurStory #AboutUs #Empowerment #Education #Women #Girls #DroneTechnology #DroneIndustry #STEM #WomenInSTEM #Cinematography #Photography

There are a few reasons why a pilot may want to catch their drone rather than land it, but catching a drone can be tricky and could pose a danger to the pilot attempting the catch. In this video, our founder Elena Buenrostro explains and demonstrates how to safely catch a drone. Catching a drone is a process that's best suited for more advanced pilots who may need to catch their drone in case of an emergency or if they are on a boat or ship. Elena breaks down this process into a couple of simple instructions. Lower your drone; Bring it as low as possible Firmly grab the drone from the bottom middle portion of the body; Go underneath and grab it very firmly from the middle so you don't get nipped by the propellers The third step is a recommendation; Elena recommends that you wear fireproof gloves to protect your hands from the propellers Elena concludes her demonstration by advising that you should only catch your drone if it's necessary and you should hold the left joystick down so that you can turn off the drone simultaneously. 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: #HowTo #Tips #InstructionalVideo #HowToCatchADroneSafely #HowToVideo #Safety #DroneSafety

Image Credit: Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International The 5th Annual FAA UAS Symposium is right around the corner. Dubbed the “Remotely Piloted Edition”, this year’s conference will be held in the form of two unique remote episodes. This way attendees will still get to experience presentations, breakout sessions, and have the opportunity to network virtually. If you’re unaware, the FAA UAS Symposium is a conference where people from all corners of the UAS community —  including UAS operators, commercial and recreational remote pilots, and regulators — can connect with one another. Attendees will have access to government and industry representatives and the chance to discuss drone regulations, research, and current initiatives to integrate UAS into the National Airspace System, an ongoing effort that we have discussed before on this blog. The symposium will also feature experts that will be available each day to answer questions from their virtual support center. Image Credit: AUVSI Episode I of the Symposium will be held on July 8-9 and will mainly focus on topics related to airspace integration and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). Episode II will be held on August 18-19 and will primarily focus on the Integration Pilot Program (IPP)  —  the FAA’s drone innovation program that aims to facilitate safe drone integration by pairing governments with the private sector on approved projects — and various topics related to public safety. Through this conference, the FAA is attempting to cultivate an environment where members of this community can engage with one another and work to contribute to the future of the drone industry. If you’re interested in participating, registration is now open. Attendees can register based on their affiliation: industry, government, military, public safety, or student. Passes range from $150 for one day to the $375 industry pass for both days. If you’re interested in past conferences, proceedings from 2017, 2018, and 2019 are freely available in PDF and video form on the FAA website. Image Credit: AUVSI 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: FAA, UAS, NAS, FAA, UAS, Symposium, conference, drone conference, remote conference, remote pilots, UAS Integration Pilot Program, UAS community, National Airspace System, airspace integration, Unmanned Traffic Management, UTM, integration pilot program

Traveling in South East Asia can be somewhat challenging to any owner of a drone because each country owns the rights to develop laws/ rules that are suitable to their own requirements. These laws and regulations are constantly on the move and are subject to change, so it can be hard to track them and keep up to date with where you can fly. We have all been there I’m sure… You are all ready to travel, cameras and suitcases packed… ready to take on the great adventure. You’re excited about the thought of capturing some of the most beautiful places in the world, so why would you check legislation…? However, checking the laws prior to travel is a must and best practice within the aviation industry. Whether you fly for fun or commercially, there are laws in place for everyone to ensure safety in the air and promote safe flying for everyone. There are also some rather harsh penalties in some countries if you are in breach of the laws, so it’s best to avoid them. Some of you (or hopefully all of you) have heard about the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who are the world’s leading organization with a mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. With this in mind, the FAA have set the standards globally for the industry to adhere to. The Administration has four strategic priorities: Make aviation safer and smarter Deliver benefits through technology and infrastructure Enhance global leadership Empower and innovate with the FAA’s people Airlines As well as country legislation and laws, each airline flying in and out of the region has their own rules in place. Airlines such as Malaysian Airline have strict rules around traveling with lithium batteries, so it is always worth checking on their websites prior to booking your flights, to avoid any embarrassment or upset at security. One requirement that is consistent on all airlines is the need for you to carry any lithium batteries in your hand luggage, rather than in checked-in bags. Failure to properly pack lithium-ion batteries can result in the airline seizing them, fines, or denied boarding. --------- Having done the research there was a lot of information to take in, therefore I have broken it down by country and included relevant information/ links under each section so that you have everything you need. Traveling Brunei According to Brunei’s national aviation authority, the Brunei ​Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), drones are banned in Brunei and if you try to enter the country with a drone it will be confiscated at customs. The authority has also reminded the public that launching of any unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drone, is a prohibited activity under Section 21 of the Civil Aviation Order 2006. The DCA said it is an offense to use UA, UAV and UAS as they can pose several safety and security risks to air navigation, controlled airspace and densely-populated areas. Any such unregulated flying activities may have catastrophic consequences to aircraft operations resulting in injuries to persons and damage to properties, stated the DCA in its press release. Having said that, if you intend to use your drone for commercial purposes, you will need to obtain prior permission. For those who have obtained permission, there are several drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country. You must ensure that you adhere to the following: Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds Respect others privacy when flying your drone Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas where aircraft are operating You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited If you violate Brunei laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Although exemptions on the use of UAs are granted by the DCA on a case-by-case basis with the terms, limitation and conditions set out in the authorization of the DCA, drone owners or any others who contravene or fail to comply with any provision of the Order is guilty of an offense and will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. Authority: Brunei ​Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Website: http://www.mtic.gov.bn/dca/Theme/Home.aspx Cambodia In contrast, the good news is that not all countries in SE Asia are as strict as Brunei and in Cambodia a drone permit is not required, whether you are flying for recreational or commercial purposes. There are however restrictions as to where and how you can fly your drone. If you fly responsibly, the Cambodia State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has given travelers a pretty loose reign, which is wonderful for anyone wishing to capture its beauty. This is with exemption of the drone bans in Phnom Penh, Angkor Park, and around any historic temples. Permission to fly in Phnom Penh can be acquired by obtaining a permit from the Cinema and Cultural Diffusion Department and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia. To fly in Angkor Park, you will need a permit from the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap and clearance from the air traffic control because of the proximity of the temple to the airport. It is essential however that you follow the FAA’s rules for flying: Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds Respect others privacy when flying your drone Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas where aircraft are operating You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited Drones are banned in Phnom Penh, Angkor Park, or around any historic temples unless you have written permission Back in 2015 the government banned drones from the airspace of the nation’s capital city without prior approval, citing privacy and security concerns. This ban is still in place today. Authority: Cambodia State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) Website: http://www.civilaviation.gov.kh/en/ Indonesia Drone use is allowed in Indonesia, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country. You must ensure that the below are always followed: Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds Respect others privacy when flying your drone. You must get consent from people in your photos should you wish to use them for commercial purposes Do not fly your drone over airports or in areas where aircraft are operating You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions Do not fly your drone in sensitive areas including government or military facilities. Use of drones or camera drones in these areas are prohibited Do not fly higher than 150 meters (490 feet) without first obtaining a permit Do not fly over temples For drones that fall into recreational flying, and weigh less than 2 kgs, no prior permission is required. However, if your drone falls weighs more than 2 kgs, you will require a permit from the General Director of the Department of Civil Aviation. If you are flying your drone commercially, and your drone weighs less than 2 kgs, no prior permission is required, however, you require to be a licensed drone pilot and have your drone insured. If your drone weighs more than 2 kgs, a permit is required from the General Director of the Department of Civil Aviation along with the license and insurance papers. The fines and punishment for flying a drone in breach of the laws are massive (up to 3 years incarceration and RP 1 billion fines), therefore it is best to familiarize yourself with the laws before flying. Authority: Directorate General of Civil Aviation Website: http://hubud.dephub.go.id/?en Laos Laos is fairly strict and requires that any drones that weigh 200 grams (0.44 pounds) or more permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications before flying. Once permission is granted, you must: Only fly during the day and in good weather conditions. Do not fly over people or crowded areas. Do not fly near airports or aircrafts that are in operation. Respect the privacy of others when flying your drone. After you have registered, you are then required to inform the department of the places where you intend to fly, before you can operate it. The decision is the first of its kind promulgated to regulate drone use in Laos and was put in place after many members of the public were flying their drones in the skies of Vientiane and provinces freely without being regulated, which raised safety concerns. The new decision categorizes drones, also known as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), into three types: Drones weighing not heavier than 200 grams (can be flown for fun without permission) Drones weighing more than 200 grams but not heavier than 2 kilograms Drones more than 2 kilograms. The radio telecommunications frequency used for drones heavier than 200 grams must be between 2,400-2,500 MHz or 5,725 – 5,875 MHz. Equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) should be 100. This radio frequency certificate must then be submitted together with an insurance certificate and proof of tax payment to the department, which will then issue a registration document. Drones failing to meet the above MHz and EIRP standards are prohibited from flying in Lao skies. The penalty faced by anyone who is found importing, producing, selling or flying drones heavier than 200 grams without permission from the relevant authorities will face a fine of one million kip (£90/ $120) per drone. Authority: Department of Civil Aviation of Laos (DCAL) Website: http://www.mpt.gov.la Malaysia Although flying a drone in Malaysia is legal, there are some important rules to know for flying a drone: Drones may not be flown in Class A, B, C or G airspace; within an aerodrome traffic zone; or more than 400 feet above the ground. Drone pilots must maintain a direct visual line of sight with their drones during operations. Permission from the Director General must be obtained for commercial drone operations. Drones weighing more than 20 kilograms (44 pounds) may not be flown without permission from the Director General. The CAAM has categorized drones into three main categories: Small Unmanned Aircraft System: Drones with a maximum weight of 20kg. Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft: Drones that weigh a maximum of 20kg and are equipped with data acquisition devices (such as cameras and microphones) – this would be a typical DJI drone such as the Mavic Pro or Phantom Unmanned Aircraft System of more than 20kg: All other drones weighing more than 20 kg CAAM has stated that the general drone laws for Malaysia are: The maximum permitted height of ascent is at 120 meters (400 feet). Drone flights are only allowed within visibility. FPV flights can be carried out under certain conditions by experienced pilots. It is recommended that you take out of an aviation liability insurance. An authorization is required from a weight of 20 kilograms. You have to keep 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) distance to airports and heliports. A distance of 50 meters shall be maintained to other persons, vehicles, boats, and buildings. Drone flights are not allowed near crowds (more than 1,000 people). To obtain a flight permit, you must submit some documents. Amongst other things, you need training evidence and the declaration of consent of the landowners. Generally, flights are only permitted in daylight. Commercial flights must be approved by the Department of Civil Aviation. The permit costs 800 RM for the first year. The extension of the license costs 500 RM per year. The Department of Civil Aviation in Malaysia is about to crack down on the illegal drone flying in the country and will set up its own enforcement unit to put a stop to it. According to industry sources, about one million drones have been sold in the Asian country over the last four years, but what many drone owners do not realize is that is illegal to fly an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone for recreational or commercial purposes outside the compounds of their home. According to Civil Aviation Regulations 2016, all drone activity, no matter the size and purpose, requires a flying permit from DCA. The penalties for flying drones illegally in Malaysia can be quite severe. Individuals can face fines up to RM50,000 (USD $12,166) or a jail sentence of up to three years. Companies that fly drones illegally can face fines up to RM100,000 (USD $24,332) and a maximum six months prison time for its officers. Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) Website: http://www.dca.gov.my/ Myanmar Myanmar is a grey area when it comes to flying drones because the laws are constantly changing. However, as it stands drone use is allowed in Myanmar, BUT there are several country specific drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country. Operators must ensure that they follow the following laws when flying in Myanmar: You must first contact the aviation authority and get a permit before flying a drone in Myanmar You cannot fly your drone near airports or in areas were aircraft are operating You cannot fly your drone near military installations or restricted areas, doing so can result in fines and/or jail time You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions Do not fly your drone over people or large crowds Respect others privacy when flying your drone In 2017, two foreign journalists and two Myanmar nationals were sentenced to two months in jail at a Naypyitaw court under an unexpected charge after attempting to fly a drone near Myanmar’s Parliament. This caused the authorities to tighten up the drone laws and anyone who is caught breaking them will face large fines and possible imprisonment. Authority: Myanmar’s Department of Civil Aviation Website: https://www.dca.gov.mm/ Philippines Drone use is allowed in the Philippines, but there are several drone laws that need to be adhered to when flying in the region: To fly a drone for commercial purposes, or to fly a drone that weighs 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or more, you must obtain a certificate from the CAAP You cannot fly within 30 meters of a person who is not associated with operation of the drone You cannot fly higher than 400 feet (122 meters) You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions You must not fly within 10km of an airport or in areas where aircraft are operating You may not fly your drone over populated areas Respect others privacy when flying your drone Large drones weighing 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or more and drones for commercial use require a UAV certificate from the CAAP. The authorization has three parts: UAV Controller / Pilot Certificate UAV Registration UAV Operator Certificate To be eligible for the UAV Controller/ Pilot Certificate, you must complete a training course, pass an exam, and pass a flight demonstration. This certificate will be valid for five years. The UAV Operator Certificate requires a letter of intent and detailed operations specifications and will be valid for three years. For more information, the CAAP published a document that provides all information about the legislation (http://uavphilippines.com/dl/20151208%20-%20CAAP%20MC%2029-15.pdf) Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Website: http://www.caap.gov.ph/ Singapore Singapore’s national aviation authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), states that flying a drone is legal in Singapore, but they ask that drone owners are aware of and compliant with the following drone regulations: A permit is not required to fly a drone that weighs 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or less that is being flown 200 feet or below. If flying a drone heavier than 7 kilograms (15 pounds) or above 60 meters (200 feet), a permit is required. Drones cannot be flown over people or crowds. Drones may not interfere with emergency service providers, or over vehicles where their presence may distract the driver. Drones may not be flown within 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of an airport. Drones may only be flown during daylight hours. Drone pilots must always maintain a visual line of sight with their drone. A permit is required however if you wish to do the following: Fly above 200 feet Fly in restricted airspace Fly for business purposes (i.e. commercial flights) Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) Website: https://www.caas.gov.sg/ Thailand Starting with Thailand, currently one of the most popular travel destinations in the region and a grey area for a number of people. Over the past few years the Thai authorities have tightened their laws on flying UAVs due to the increase of UAVs entering the country and the number of incidents around restricted zones such as airports, which have increased dramatically. Therefore, the law now states that with no exceptions, any UAV that has a camera installed and/or weighing over 2kg must be registered. They have also made it essential that any UAVs weighing over 25kg, must receive permission from the minister of transport before flying can commence. If and when you are lucky enough to be allowed to fly, you must adhere to the following rules: Flying no higher than 90m. Not flying closer than 9km/ 5miles from airport or temporary airfield. Not flying in restricted areas. Not flying closer than 30m to any person, vehicle, building or construction. Any act of violation is subjected to up to one year imprisonment or fined up to 40,000THB (USD $1,200) or both. So if you are traveling through Thailand and wish to fly your drone, make sure you follow the above, because failure to do so could land you in big trouble. Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) Website: https://www.caat.or.th/en/archives/category/aviation-en/drone-en Vietnam Vietnam has some rather unique laws when it comes to flying UAV. The Ministry of Defense is responsible for the regulation of drone manuveurs. Under the current legal situation, you need authorization from the Ministry of Defense and although you can put in the form yourself it's in Vietnamese and it can take up to 3 weeks to be approved so this requires some solid planning. What most foreigners do is they get a company to do the process for them. It takes the hassle out of the process and delays are much shorter (some companies can do it in 4-5 days). But of course, this process will cost you: between $ 350 and $ 700 depending on who is doing your permit. And that's only for one day of flying. So depending on the number of flights you are planning, this can quickly put you in some major debt. A unique flight license is required for every drone flight conducted in Vietnam. Applications must be submitted at least 14 days before the planned date of the flight to the Operations Bureau of the General Command Post of the Ministry of Defense. Drones may not be used to carry radioactive substances, flammable, or explosive materials. Drones may not be used to launch, shoot or jettison harmful objects or substances or those containing hazards. Drones may not be mounted with aerial equipment and/ or used for aerial videography or photographing activities without a license issued for that purpose. Drones may not fly flags or banners, release leaflets or otherwise be used for propaganda purposes. There have been reports of drones being confiscated at Vietnam airport and then given back to passengers on departure, so be prepared… if you try your luck, you may lose your drone. Also, if you decide to fly without a permit, make sure you stay away from populated places because as you will see, Vietnamese people are usually very curious about "flycams" as they call it here and they will attract attention your way, just because they want to see it. Authority: Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) Website: https://www.caa.gov.vn/ Law & Regulation Apps If you ever feel in doubt, do not worry, because in addition to the authority websites there are several apps that have been designed to keep you up to date with the laws and regulated by the authorities, to provide you with everything you need to know when flying your drone. However, please do take caution as not all of them are as accurate or reliable as others. The most reliable and most commonly used app is CASA’s called ‘Can I fly there?’, which has been designed to give you the most reliable source of information including no fly zones, restricted areas, natural disasters (including fires etc.), so if you are ever in doubt, always check the app. So as you can see from the above, every country across the region differs and therefore it is best practice to check up on the legislation before you travel to avoid any unwanted penalties. As I am sure you will appreciate, the rules have been put in place to help keep the aviation industry safe and make flying enjoyable for everyone. Remember it only takes a careless flight, putting someone’s life at risk or be in breach of the laws for authorities to completely ban the use of UAVs. In an industry that is already proving to be a challenge, if we follow the rules and promote safe flying, we can continue to share our passion and enjoy the world from the unique and beautiful perspective that we have all grown to love. Disclaimer: To the best of our knowledge these are the laws and regulations implemented per each country at the time of publication. Women Who Drone is not responsible for changes to the law and regulation in any given country and insists every pilot do their own further research to ensure their flight legality and safety. Originally from London, UK now living in Sydney, Australia, Charlene found her passion for UAVs back in 2018 whilst she was travelling through South East Asia. Having been lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world, she has continued to share her love for travel and aerial photography to people all over the world, and successfully organised a drone meetup ‘Sydney Drone Meet Up’ at the end of 2018, which was sponsored by PolarPro and D1Store (the Australian DJI approved supplier). Finding her love of UAVs has opened the door to many opportunities and connected her to many people in the industry, and as a brand ambassador for Women who Drone she hopes that she can use her knowledge and passion to inspire other women to find their passion of UAVs too. Instagram www.charlenetravels.com

Photo Credit: FAI / Marcus King The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, also known as the World Air Sports Federation, is a century-old organization dedicated to air sports. Beginning in 1905, FAI is a non-governmental and non-profit organization that aims to proliferate aeronautical and astronautical activities on a global scale. Currently, the federation consists of more than 100 member countries and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. With the advent of drone racing circuits and international FPV competitions, FAI has added several drone-related events to their roster including the FAI International Drones Conference and Expo, the FAI Drone Racing World Cup, and the FAI World Drone Racing Championships. The 2018 FAI Drone Racing World Cup had the distinction of being the biggest one yet. The World Cup began in April and concluded in October with 22 events total and 669 pilots from 41 countries participating this year. That's over 200 more pilots and 4 more countries than last year. The 2018 FAI World Drone Racing Championships was FAI's first ever drone racing championship competition. In November, pilots of all different ages from around the world competed against each other in Shenzhen, China. Wonderfully, the championship was a great place for FAI to show off their Women with Wings project, an initiative designed to encourage the involvement of women in air sports. On their website, they state, "Conscious that women are under-represented in air sports, the FAI developed the Women With Wings series to promote women who fly." Women with Wings aim to promote female pilots and encourage women to fly. 13 women participated in this year's competition, a number that will surely increase as more women continue to become involved in drone racing circuits. Participating female pilots came from all over the world and varied in age. FAI chose to recognize a few of them on their website. Gayeon Mo is competing as part of a team from Korea. She is currently 19 years old and started drone racing 2 years ago. Nataliya Astakhova is a Russian pilot. She has been competing for a year and a half and is the only female pilot in the Russian circuit she competes in. Wanraya Wannapong is a member of a team from Thailand and the youngest pilot in the competition. At 11 years old, second highest placed female pilot after three qualifying rounds. Jessika Farrar is 31 years old and is on the USA team. She has been racing for two years and aeromodelling for 20 years. You can read about more pilots on the Women with Wings page of the FAI website. 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 #FAI #droneracing #womenwhodrone #WOMENANDDRONES #WOMENWHODRONE #gayeonmo #NataliyaAstakhova #WanrayaWannapong #JessikaFarrar #womenwithwings

Image Credit: Wix Stock Library For those unaware, the Federal Aviation Administration (or FAA) is an authority under the U.S. Department of Transportation. They were created over 60 years ago - originally under the name Federal Aviation Agency - through the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. Their major roles cover a wide range of responsibilities. Listed on their website, these roles include regulating civil aviation to promote safety, encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, regulating U.S. commercial space transportation, and more. Late last year, the President signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, and it changed a few things. First and foremost, what does being reauthorized even mean? In bare basic terms, it means that their authority or effective legal power is being renewed, so this administration maintains its jurisdiction over civil aviation, aeronautics, etc. In this specific case, their authority has been renewed for the next five years. This may not seem like a long time relative to how long the FAA has been functioning, but according to the National Conference of State Legislatures's blog, the signing of the bill marked “the longest funding authorization period for FAA programs since 1982.” Being categorized as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones fall under the jurisdiction of the FAA. Thus, changes to the FAA have an impact on drone laws and regulation. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the changes that come with the FAA being reauthorized, specifically those that pertain to drones. Image Credit: Wix Stock Library Possibly the most impactful changes under the Act are the new conditions for recreational drone use. The FAA reauthorization act “immediately repeals” the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (a.k.a. Special Rule 336 or Section 336), which prevented the FAA from regulating model aircraft that are flown recreationally, with Section 349. As long as they registered your aircraft and labeled them properly, recreational pilots were free to fly for fun without fear. Now, hobbyists are concerned about the implications of taking this Special Rule away. In particular, if the FAA were able to successfully integrate remote identification into drone regulation, hobbyists could be forced to buy costly add-ons such as transponders in order to be in compliance. Furthermore, the Act requires that the FAA develop a rule regarding drone package delivery within one year of its enactment. This comes as no surprise as many companies have been trying to get drone delivery off the ground for a few years now. It’s exciting to think that someday soon our packages and take out orders may be delivered via drone, but not everyone thinks this is such a good idea. Some people are worried about the consequences of commercializing airspace to such a large extent. Essentially, the changes in the reauthorization have brought to light the goals of the FAA, commercial pilots, and businesses with drones and how recreational users fit into this dynamic. Recreational flyers fear the financial costs and possible restrictions that could be a consequence of this repeal, so sites like getfpv.com and flitetest.com are urging others to fight to maintain Special Rule 336. You can read more about there stances in their articles Save the Special Rule for Model Aircraft – FAA Section 336 and Rule 336 - Take Action to Secure RC Flying. Image Credit: Wix Stock Library When the Act was signed, there was not an instantaneous change, but over the course of the next five years, these new terms and conditions might all be applied eventually. From the FAA website: “The agency is evaluating the impact of this change in the law and how implementation will proceed. The Reauthorization Act cannot be fully implemented immediately, please continue to follow all current policies and guidance with respect to recreational use of drones.” Of course, as is the case with any law, there is always the possibility that enough people will contest it that it could change. How do you feel about these changes to the FAA? Do they make you excited or apprehensive about the future of drone legislation? Let us know what you think. 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 #FAA #FAAReauthorizationAct #FederalAviationAdministration #UAV #SpecialRule336 #SpecialRuleforModelAircraft #droneregulation

Video Credit: DJI Technology Co. DJI made a name for itself in the drone industry by consistently producing camera drones that perform well for both amateur and commercial pilots. So far, DJI is only known as the go-to company for high-quality camera drones, but they are branching out to other sectors of the drone market. Drone racing’s popularity is gaining speed among the general public, especially with the advent of the professional Drone Racing League, the social media presence of racers, and the sport being recognized by big names like ESPN and NBC. Previously, DJI attempted to break into this market with its DJI Goggles and DJI Goggles Racing Edition. Now, DJI is stepping back into the fray with their all-new Digital FPV System. The DJI Digital FPV System is a quartet of gear released at the end of July of this year. The system consists of the DJI FPV Air Unit Module, Camera, Goggles, and Remote Controller. Similar to their other works, DJI states that they made this System with hobbyists and professional pilots in mind. Last month, this system’s release was foreshadowed by three FCC filings within the FCC ID Database. Initially shared by DroneDJ, these filings were made public several days before the official release. SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD has three applications dated for July 26th, 2019 listed on their FCC ID page. These applications are for an FPV remote controller, FPV goggles, and an FPV Air Unit. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. Now released, we can see that the DJI Digital FPV System is packed with innovation. It employs DJI’s new HDL FPV Transmission technology, which allows pilots to race with “a latency within 28 ms” and a “crystal clear view”. It's also equipped with eight frequency channels, meaning eight drones can be flown simultaneously with little threat of cross-interference. Highlight Features for the goggles include 720p/120fps FPV HD Image, 720p/60fps recording, and a low-latency transmission. With Audience mode, other goggle wearers can see what the racer sees, and you can do instant replays if you record and save your videos on the microSD card. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. Amazingly, the Air Unit also features a low-latency transmission between it and the DJI FPV RC and has 1080p Aerial Recording. DJI attributes its performance to “a strong transmission system, embedded remote controller receiver, and multi-antenna technology”. With its embedded remote controller receiver, the Digital FPV System reduces flight prep time by allowing users to connect their DJI FPV Air Unit to the DJI FPV Remote Controller wirelessly. Also, its two antennas, both being receivers and transmitters, offer broader signal coverage “for reliable image transmission”. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. The DJI FPV Remote Controller features Integrated Control, an Integrated System, and an Improved User Experience. The Controller reduces operational errors and increases stabilization by allowing users to remotely set parameters for the other devices in the system. The control sticks are adjustable, and DJI claims the controller is easy to use. They also claim that the controller connects quickly to the Air Unit and Goggles. Between quick connections, reduced prep time, and low-latency, it’s clear that DJI had speed in mind when developing the technology for this system. Image Credit: DJI Technology Co. Currently, the DJI Digital FPV System is on sale, starting from $819. On their store page, DJI is offering three options for purchasing this system, all currently discounted: DJI FPV Experience Combo ($819), DJI FPV Fly More Combo (Mode 1) ($929), and DJI FPV Fly More Combo (Mode 2), and ($929). All options come with free shipping and savings of over $60. 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 #DJIDigitalFPVSystem #DJI #dji #djisale #DJIstore #djinews #droneracing #droneracingleague #fpv #fpvracing #goggles #racinggoggles #DJIGoggles #DJIGogglesRacingEdition

Image Credit: X DEVELOPMENT LLC. Military, film, construction, and agriculture are only some of the many industries that use drones to perform tasks in a more timely and cost-effective manner. As drone technology advances, their usage expands, which has been especially evident in the realm of delivery services. In 2012, Alphabet, Google's parent company, started Project Wing to explore ways to develop a self-flying drone that could safely and quickly transport goods. Currently, Wing is an autonomous delivery drone service that aims to increase access to goods, reduce traffic congestion, and lessen CO2 emissions attributed to transportation. When designing Wing, Alphabet’s focus was to create a self-flying delivery drone. They hoped to accomplish this by concentrating on 3 things: fuel efficiency, precision, and safety. Wing has an energy-efficient design that allows it to fly at speeds of up to 75 mph and an all-electric powered system that can fly up to 400 feet above the ground. Also, It can deliver packages to locations the size of a doorstep and safely navigate around various obstacles such as other drones, trees, buildings, and power lines. Video Credit: X, the moonshot factory For the past 7 years, Wing has conducted thousands of test flights in Australia, Finland, and the US. The project’s first real-world delivery took place in Queensland, Australia, where the team was able to transport a first-aid kit, candy bars, dog treats, and water to farmers. One of the most successful flights conducted in the United States was in September 2016 where Wing delivered burritos to students at Virginia Tech. According to the company, food is a great way to test drone delivery technology due to its fragility and temperate sensitive nature. By combining Wing with OpenSky technology, the company presents a service that allows consumers and businesses to fly with more confidence. The platform provides a detailed map of the world and tells users where and how to fly, which grants safe access to other drone pilots. Project Wing is currently available in Helsinki, Finland and Canberra, Australia, and Alphabet is working on bringing the service to Virginia. On April 23, 2019, Wing became the first drone delivery company to receive the Air Carrier Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This allows the company to deliver goods from local businesses to residents of the United States. Once it's available in a community, residents have access to this service via the Wing app. The application allows consumers to search for specific businesses or items. When the order is placed, the item is sent out, and the project’s software finds the best route. The app also lets its users track the package and notifies them when it has arrived. Image Credit: Wing Aviation LLC. Wing has proven to be beneficial to consumers, businesses, and communities. It is a faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly way of delivering goods. It provides consumers with access goods that were previously out of reach and a quicker solution to previous transportation problems. Business owners are now able to serve current customers quickly while reaching new ones more affordably. As for communities, Wing not only encourages the flow of income and expenditures, but it also reduces carbon emissions associated with the transportation of goods. By collaborating closely with communities and governments, Wing can ensure that they are successfully abiding by their requirements and regulations while also providing a service that is beneficial to all. Blanca Tavera is a University of Georgia grad with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Communication Studies. She’s an intern at Women Who Drone and is relatively new to the drone industry. Her main goal as an intern is to gain a holistic understanding of the industry and experience as a writer in order to provide beneficial and entertaining articles to the readers. #selfflyingdrone #dronedelivery #packagedelivery #commercialdronedelivery #medicaldronedelivery #ProjectWing #GoogleWing #AlphabetsWing #AirCarrierCertification #faa