As we've seen with our phones and the advent of digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home, the future may be voice-controlled. Thus, it only makes sense that this permeating technology would inevitably combine with another quickly growing technology: drones. Years ago, UAVs activated with the sound of a voice still seemed like science-fiction. Now, they're reality. The road to voice-controlled drones has been an interesting one. On October 18th, 2016, Amazon was awarded a patent for an “Unmanned aerial vehicle assistant”. The patent claims that this device would be able to respond to a user’s voice commands and be small enough to carry in a bag or pocket. The patent goes on to say: “the disclosure is described herein as a system and method for controlling a UAV with simple voice commands to cause the UAV to perform one or more tasks”. It states that possible uses for this device would include finding a lost child in a crowd and aiding the police. Meanwhile, drone enthusiasts developed their own solutions to make up for the whole in the market. People with the skills and know-how built their own voice-controlled drones from scratch or by modifying pre-built drones. In 2016, Lukas Biewald with oreilly.com wrote an article called How to build an autonomous, voice-controlled, face-recognizing drone for $200. In it, he explains how to program a prebuilt drone to respond to voice commands. If you’re into DIY drones and coding, you might want to check it out. DIY site Instructables also hosts a few tutorials on designing a voice-controlled drone. However, if that isn’t up your alley, then you’re in luck. The wait is (almost) over. Earlier this month, for the whole world to see, Yuneec announced the first ever voice-controlled drone. For those unfamiliar, Yuneec is one of the leaders in electronic aviation. Based in China, Yuneec was founded in 1999 and has been releasing award winning aircrafts for years. Their Mantis Q is the latest in their electronic aviation legacy. Made to be energy efficient, this drone can last 33 minutes in the air at a constant speed of 15.5 MPH and retails at $499.99, making it one of their least expensive models. You can make the Mantis Q turn on, take off, take pictures, record video, and land with the sound of your voice. It has not been released yet, but it is available for pre-order in the United States. 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 #voicecontrolleddrones #droneinnovation

No matter what you plan on using them for, high quality drones are a serious investment. Like with anything else of considerable monetary value, it may not be a bad idea to prepare for the worst, meaning you might want to contemplate getting your drone insured. Piloting a drone means there are possible risks to take into account like injury and property damage. When piloting is your livelihood and you’ve invested over $1000 in that new DJI, a rough landing will cost you more than a new one. If that were to happen, having insurance could mitigate the situation. To protect yourself and your investment, it may be worth it to investigate all your options. You could try using a general insurance provider to cover your drone and its accessories. Searching through forums, I found that some people insure their drones through State Farm. A popular option is having your drone insured under State Farm’s Personal Articles Policy which covers belongings like bikes, art, jewelry, collectibles, etc. Users on different drone forums have acquired policies for their drones from Statefarm, stating that in some places, people were able to obtain a policy for only $60 a year with no deductible. Of course, this all depends on where you’re getting your insurance and coverage is limited. However, that will only be suffice as long as your drone is being used recreationally, not for business purposes. If you’re in the market for on-demand insurance, there are a couple of choices for commercial drone pilots: Verifly and SkyWatch. Verifly offers general and drone liability insurance. Their prices vary based on where you fly, but policies start very low for both. Both services allow you to track your flights and coverage with their own apps available on Google Pay and the App Store. Since they offer hourly policies, you can pay for coverage when you fly. Recently, SkyWatch added a new policy for those who would benefit from more than hourly coverage. Frequent flyers now have the alternative to pay monthly for SkyWatch Plus. These are only a few of the options available to you. Any of these possible selections are dependent on where you are and what works best for your situation. If you’re still uncertain, you could call the services you’re interested in and shop around for the best deal. Also, there are plenty of forums around the internet where fellow drone pilots may be willing to answer your questions offer their advice. Popular blog UAV Coach has published their own guide to drone insurance. Check it out for step-by-step guidance and additional considerations. 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

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I have been in Dubai for almost 14 years now.. Dubai can be very tough and extremely hot during the summer which is why I try to travel as much as I can during that period. I found myself to be somehow the designated photographer of the group, trying to take the nicest pictures for my friends which evolved eventually to landscape photography... somehow this made my travels much more enjoyable, always looking for the best spots to take pictures, more often than not they were off the beaten path. The only thing that was missing was aerial photography, taking pictures from a complete different angle and this is how I got into drone photography. What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? Mavic Air - I find it the best drone to travel with, no compromise on the quality of the footage and at the same time pretty light and compact. Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? It does not take a genius nor a professional, your passion should be enough... the best pictures I have seen are taken by amateurs. Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. It was right after the desert storm in Dubai, I decided to go on a off road into the desert and took a footage of the roads engulfed by sand. The feeling you get when you see back the footage was amazing... you truly feel the power of nature when its angry and how humans can never ever stop it What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I think the more you share your passion, the more the community will grow and strive... What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? Breaking the stereotype mostly... its not about gender or diversity, its more about passion... anyone can do it. On another note the more people join, the more we are able to share the beauty of the planet. I'm sure there are tons of places that are not represented where landscape is equally stunning. Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about you? More than photography, I am super passionate about people; the reason why I have stayed most of my career in HR.. I don't think I can live without music and I can easily live in my car driving from one place to another. Hi I'm, Joumana. There are so many people in the world who never have the opportunity to pursue the career they love. I’m not one of them. I love what I do and since starting my career in Dubai around 14 years ago, I’m thrilled to say that I’ve learned from so many amazing professionals in my field. Super passionate about people and their dynamics, a strong believer in building organizations bottom up and have always worked the closest with colleagues who are in immediate contact with the customers be it while I was in a commercial role or a people centric role. I was born and raised in Beirut, was lucky enough to travel around with my family during the civil war and came back to settle in Dubai. My passion for travel and photography started since I was a child and continued to grow ever since. It has allowed me to see people and places from a completely different perspective, there are certain emotions that you capture while taking pictures that you can never do otherwise. I love driving around and going where the roads take me, I always stumbled on the most beautiful places while doing that... I started droning around 18 months ago, it's truly amazing the things you can see from a completely different angle. Proud mommy of 2 dogs :). #spotlightinterview #womenwhodrone #WOMENWHODRONE #interview #FEMALEDRONEPILOT

Less than a month from now, thousands of people from around the world will be gathering to participate in InterDrone 2018. From September 5th to the 7th, InterDrone will be holding their conference at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. InterDrone is an annual international drone conference and exposition that started in 2015, making this year the 4th conference EVER. It serves as a networking event where people in the UAV industry can connect with their peers and stay up to date with drone news. The conference is attended by drone pilots, UAV manufacturers, videographers and more. It is the largest commercial drone event in North America. At InterDrone, attendees can participate in courses, special events, and workshops. To keep you up to date in the latest drone news, there will be over 110 panels, sessions workshops, courses, and keynotes. Attendees can participate in special industry-specific tracks to personalize their conference experience. Even though the conference begins on Wednesday the 5th, On Tuesday, there is a pre-conference workshop led by Enrico Schaefer and tony Sauerbrey. It is an all-day session that focuses on essential focus areas of the part 107 certification test. To kick off the conference, Daniel K. Elwell and Michael Chasen will be this year’s grand opening keynote speakers. Elwell is the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Michael Chasen is the CEO of PrecisionHawk. Highlights include the exposition floor and the Women in Drones Luncheon, which was spearheaded to connect women in the drone industry. InterDrone’s expo floor will house over 160 exhibitors, including drone manufacturers, sellers and solutions providers. The luncheon consists of a panel of leading women. On this year's panel will be Lia Reich (VP Marketing-Communications at PrecisionHawk), Sharon Rossmark (CEO and Founder of Women and Drones), and Mariah Scott (President of Skyward, A Verizon Company). Suzanne Lemieux will moderate the discussion. There is also the InterDrone Film Festival to look forward to. Each year InterDrone hosts a short film festival with submissions filmed using only drones. Submissions for this year’s competition closed July 9th, and winners will be announced at the InterDrone Film Festival reception on September 5th. Creators from all over the world submit their work in the following categories: Natural Wonders Cityscapes and Architecture Action/Extreme Sports Reel Real Estate & Resort Marketing Special Events (wedding, sweet 16, etc.) Breaking/Live News Best Overall Each category has its own winner, and there is a people’s choice winner. You can view last year’s winning submissions here. If you want to be a part of this year’s InterDrone, there are several types of registration for you to decide from. Passes range from $85 to $980 depending on what you want to get out of the conference. August 24th is the current cutoff for an early registration discount. Participants attending as students, on behalf of schools or nonprofits may be eligible special rates. Check pricing for passes here and register 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

After a month long delay, DJI finally unveiled the bigger picture we have all been waiting for. With two new designs, incredible new features, cameras and longer flight times, the DJI MAVIC 2 is now on sale everywhere. Women Who Drone had the pleasure to attend the event in NYC today and we were ecstatic to get our hands on these new drones! We were even able to test fly them inside the warehouse out in Brooklyn. Elena Garcia, WWD's Social Media Intern holding the new Mavic Zoom With all of the newest features that were announced, this drone is by far the most exciting consumer drone on the market. The Mavic 2 features Hasselblad's iconic image quality on the Pro model and a high-performance zoom on the Zoom model. Additionally, the Pro model is equipped with a Hasselblad camera 1 "CMOS sensor, Adjustable opening, 10-bit D log M, 10-bit HDR videos, and hyperlapse with multiple modes. Photo by Elena Garcia Improvements on the Mavic Pro implemented into the Mavic 2 include enhancing the Obstacle avoidance feature, Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS), which helps the drone fly around obstacles versus only avoiding collisions. They also added lights to the bottom of the drone to assist with landing in low lit environments and the Active track feature is better than ever with its use of three on board front facing cameras to create a 3D map of its subject, predicting paths up to 3 seconds in the future. Image of Mavic 2 Zoom Now, if that doesn't get you, some other features we're extremely excited about is that the new Mavic 2 flies longer, faster and quieter with the battery life now capped to 31 minutes versus the 28 minutes the Mavic Pro had. DJI even enhanced the Advanced Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC's), giving the pilot more control and precision over her drone. Additionally, DJI added a feature called Dolly Zoom, which zooms in on an object while the drone flies in the opposite direction as well as a number of Hyperlapse shots which I've included below directly from their website: Free – pilots the drone manually while shooting a Hyperlapse video. Circle – automatically flies the drone in a circular pattern around a subject you select to create a timelapse video that captures the action. Course Lock – keeps the camera fixed on shooting subject while the drone flies in a straight direction to create a unique perspective. Waypoint – plans a complex flight path based on both altitude and GPS coordinates to capture complex shots. Photo by Elena Garcia These two exciting drones prices are not that bad with the Mavic 2 running at $1,449 and the 2 Zoom at $1,249, respectively. DJI also announced the DJI Fly More Kit, which includes two batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, extra propellers and a bag for a total of $319. The best part is there is no waiting game like there usually is when an announcement like this happens, you can purchase the Mavic 2 and Zoom today! We will have our hands on this drone shortly, so we're excited to write up our review to showcase to you soon! Until then, happy flying and stay tuned! Elena Buenrostro is the Founder and CEO of Women Who Drone as well as a Video Producer, Photographer, Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot and Instructor. As featured in The Washington Post, Fast Company and on DJI for her aerial photography and cinematography, Elena's passion for flying drones stemmed from her trip to the Great Wall of China. From there, her curiosity turned into a hobby and now a passion and career. Currently, Elena offers drone lessons via Airbnb Experiences in San Francisco, CA and Brooklyn, NY. Elena graduated with a B.A. in Media Studies & Theatre from the University of California, San Diego. See her work on Instagram, @elenabuenrostro.

Tell us your story. How did you get started in the drone industry and when did that happen? I have loved gaming on consoles and PC since I was a kid and I used to collect remote controlled cars (and break a lot of helicopters). I love using controllers, joysticks just make sense and they provide so much escapism. So, when I saw someone flying their drone at Rainbow Serpent Festival in 2016, I suddenly realized that I wanted to be that person with the high-visibility vest and the controller in their hands. What a job; flying amazing technology with professional camera's attached, and being surrounded by nature and people and art, and an amazing warm and energetic creative community. That is what inspired me to start droning, and now I am glad to call it my profession! I bought my first drone in the summer of 2016/2017 and I am now the owner of a growing collection. I fly every week and I now own a camper van (ie. a portable house!) which I use for adventures down the coast with my drone and surfboard. I own and run Skypan Australia, which is an aerial drone operations business. I am the Chief Remote Pilot and Director/CEO. I have my RePL, ReOC, and Public Liability Insurance up to $20 million. I specialise in videography and photography for events and festivals, which is my passion as I love the community and atmosphere at big events. They deserves to be appreciated from above, especially light shows at night! I also conduct real estate and landscape architecture photography and design plans (as I studied Landscape Architecture as a Bachelor and I have a Permaculture Design Certificate). I provide 3D point cloud mapping services and inspections. I love sports cinematography such as skating and surfing as well, and how dynamic you need to react in order to get the right shot in the moment. I also work in casually as a product specialist and as a remote pilot for D1 Store, the first and only authorised DJI Retailer in Australia. DJI honestly make the best equipment on the market and I am so satisfied with being surrounded in their merchandise and teaching people about their capabilities! What kind of drone(s) do you fly and what's your favorite thing about it? I love my DJI Phantom 4 Pro + Obsidian as it has the best camera that I can afford right now and it flies so well. I also love the 'Obsidian' colour as you can spot it further away than a 'White/Original' coloured one, and I highly rate the built-in Crystal Sky monitor. I want a DJI Matrice 210 RTK with an X30 and XT if I could have any drone I desired, or an Inspire 2 with an X7 lens! Have you learned any valuable lessons being in the drone industry you can share with our female drone community? I have learned so much already from my fellow community, particularly on Instagram and also with the Women Who Drone organisation, who have provided so many amazing opportunities for me to share my work. People are so encouraging and willing to share information if you ask for it and if you have confidence in your content. My advice is to find your unique style and find a way to communicate it in a way that is consistent and legible (whether its with color, content, or themes...). There are not nearly as many women as there are men in these STEM industries, so the more the merrier! Anyone can pick up a drone and fly it, and I want to see more women reaching out and linking up in the online drone community and producing content that inspires me. I love flying my drone as a career and I am grateful that I chose to follow my passion. If you do what you love everyday, you won't work a day in your life (as they say!). Whether its from a creative, commercial or humanitarian perspective, tell us about your most memorable drone flight you have piloted thus far. I was lucky enough to record the Mother's Day Classic in Melbourne this year, which is a run/walk which raises money towards breast cancer research and awareness. To date, the organisation has raised over $33.2 million dollars over 20 years. My mother passed away from metastasized breast cancer in August 2016 which was a big turning point for me in pushing me to do what I love in this short and beautiful life. She was always so supportive and excitable and active in the community, and I want to give back and share my energy just like her. It made me so happy to be involved in the event as a professional photographer and I look forward to returning next year. What would you say to women and girls about the drone industry to spark their interest in getting involved? I think the time is now to follow your dreams, and be a pioneer in the flourishing and fresh new drone industry. I want more women pilots in Australia to meet up with and be inspired by, so that the community can grow and so that we can make history! This is a movement and now is the time to be inspired by what you do and where you go. Photography is the art of saving moments of time and space in history, and someone needs to write that history book! Also, we need more women becoming talented remote pilots and FPV pilots. Drone racing is going to get huge in the next decade. The next Formula One. E-Sports is massive and drones bridge the gap between the physical world and online gaming world! What excites you most about more women joining the drone industry? I want to see the percentage of women drone operators in Australia growing to 50%, and same for the worldwide ratio. It is far too low. Apparently there are less than 100 in Australia! Drone's are a new industry and there is so much room for equal opportunity and equal pay. Like all creative industries, you need to know your worth and have the courage and confidence to ask for the price you deserve for your time. It is worth the responsibility for the freedom that owning your own business provides you. As a woman, to have a job with freedom and flexibility means so much as you can always decide to start a family and you can be assured in your independence. And as a person, freedom to live the lifestyle you choose, and independence from the churn of the corporate ladder, is a blessing in this day and age. Also, the more women e-sports representatives the better, as it will be another massive industry and I can't wait to see where it goes. Thanks for taking the time to read about me! I hope that you also wake up every day feeling passionate about life because you do what you love. The world needs passion and creativity and you need to start following your heart and find your niche. You only have this one life regardless of your scientific or spiritual alignment; and no one on earth is promised tomorrow. So be you! And try to fly a drone at least once, just for me! Sara is a certified remote pilot, landscape architect, DJI product specialist, and drone nerd located Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She is running her own aerial drone business and wears many hats as an influential individual in the droning world. #femaledronepilot #womenwhodrone #FEMALEDRONEPILOT #dji #spotlightinterview #interview

Over the past year, there have been headlines about the devastating economic situation in Venezuela and dissatisfaction with the current government. Now Venezuela is making headlines in regards to a recent assassination attempt. Saturday, August 4th, an alleged terrorist group took matters into their own hands as they attempted to assassinate the president using drones. Amidst already troubled times, Venezuelans witnessed an attempt on the life of their controversial president, Nicolas Maduro. The attack occurred in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, during the president’s speech for the 81st anniversary of the national guard. Seven national guardsmen were injured, but the president was unharmed. The failed assassination attempt was made using two drones. Loaded with C-4 explosives, it seems the perpetrators wanted these drones to detonate towards the president, but the Venezuelan military was able to electronically alter the course of one using signal blockers while the other crashed into an apartment complex. The New York Times reports that the incident is the first “known use of drones against a head of state.” Consequently, this news seems especially disconcerting for the United States as news outlets like the Chicago Tribune report that the U.S. could be vulnerable to a similar attack. Due to present limitations, officials believe that new authorities need to be made “to combat threatening drones.” Senior Homeland Security officials state that the attack in Venezuela affirms the need for increased measures when dealing with drones. Known methods of detaining drones include electromagnetic signals and the deployment of nets, but these have limited approved use outside of the military. Proactively, a proposal for remote identification technology is being finalized by the FAA with comments to come later this year. Presently, the Venezuelan government has arrested 6 people they believe to be the terrorists responsible for the attack on their president, and lawmakers are constructing ways in which such an attack could be mitigated here in the U.S. However, drones are easily accessible, and their involvement in an assassination attempt is still unnerving. It is uncertain if and when we will start to see changes being implemented, and how effective they could be. It is also uncertain how these security concerns will affect the futures of drone hobbyists and commercial pilots who earn their living flying drones. 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

First and foremost, according to dictionary.com’s definition 2.b., the noun Drone means “any unmanned aircraft or ship that is guided remotely” which is a definition that applies to quite a few devices. Drones, like any other technology, come with their own jargon that might as well be a foreign language to a complete newcomer. If that sounds like you (which sounds like me), then you've fortunately made your way here. After researching the ins and outs of drone enthusiasm, I have come across my fair share of unfamiliar terms and acronyms. Rather than spend hours googling, you can bookmark this page (or others) and use this guide like a mini drone dictionary whenever you need it, or cram likes it's finals week and you have a cumulative exam on drones, which you might. Types of Drones To start, it might surprise you just how many different types of drones there are. You can categorize drones a few different ways: Fixed Wing Drones: similar designs to airplanes which means they glide with angled plane-like wings and lack the ability to hover in one place. Single Rotor Drone/Helicopter: similar designs to helicopters; they have one major rotor that allows them to hover and a smaller rotor on the tail. Multi Rotor Drones: any drone with more than one rotor; more rotors facilitate flight control, but drones with fewer rotors are faster. Octocopter: drones with 8 rotors Quadcopter: drones with 4 rotors Tricopter: drones with 3 rotors Endurance Drones: capable of staying in the air for long periods of time Parts That’s a good start, but it's not enough to just know the drones, you've got to know what they’re made of. Of course there's electricity, plastic, and a sprinkle of magic that results in flight, but there’s also these gizmos involved: Rotor: the rotating part (or parts) of a drone which contribute to flight Propeller: blades or fans attached to rotors; together they propel drones in the air, allowing them to fly and hover Flight Controllers: mechanism that communicates the pilot’s input to the drone’s motors Accelerometer: measures the drone’s acceleration and tilt; works with the gyroscope to maintain orientation Gyroscope: stabilizes drone while it's in the air Features Not all drones are built equal. If you would rather buy a drone than build one, you should make sure that the drone you choose comes with the features you want: Dynamic Home Point: feature that automatically updates a drone’s home point. GPS Tracker: monitors your drones location so that you can find it if it ever falls. Accessories And finally, these optional things that could come in handy. These might not come with your drone, but you could buy them to make you’re flying experience easier: Battery Charging Dock/Hub: device that is capable of charging multiple batteries at a time. ND Filters: Neutral Density Filters reduce the intensity of the light and color of the images and videos captured by the drone’s camera. FPV Goggles: headset that gives you a first-person view of the drone’s camera; typically used in drone racing. Gimbal/Stabilizer: prevents the drone’s camera from shaking while in the air. Helipad: a portable mat that marks an area for a drone to takeoff or launch from. Other Acronyms FAA: Federal Aviation Administration; agency responsible for regulating civil aviation RTF: Ready-to-Fly; store-bought drone capable of flight right out of the box UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; AKA an aerial drone piloted by remote control UAS: Unmanned Aircraft Systems; each component of drone flying activity such as the drone itself and its operator UUV: Unmanned Underwater Vehicles FPV: First Person View RPM: Revolutions Per Minute For more vocab lists and in depth explanations for these terms, check out these links: Multi-Rotors, First-Person View, And The Hardware You Need Different Types of Drones 21 Types of Drones Types of Drones: Explore Different Types of Drones Types of Drones – Explore the Different Models of UAV’s 10 Must-Have Drone Accessories for DJI Phantom 3 10 Best drone accessories – do you have the tools to fly? Professional Drone Buying Guide- Best 8 Features Should Know 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

I got my first drone just a few days before take-off. An arctic white DJI Mavic Air – cute as a bug. I’d never flown a drone before, but I certainly wasn’t going to let that deter me… I’d already checked the rules for flying in American Samoa: flying is allowed, but not near airports or military installations. Easy enough. Plenty of extra batteries? Check. Compact case that holds all the equipment and fits easily in my backpack? Check. Ample practice flying before taking it on the road? S!*%. There just wasn’t enough time. The drone was released just a few days before departure. The Fly More bundle wasn’t even available yet, so I had to desperately hunt around to find to even find a seller with extra batteries. So, I only got a few minutes of practice before packing her up and whisking her off to the airport. I decided it didn’t matter. I told myself: I’m an intelligent girl - I can figure this out. First up, a stop in Maui on the way to Samoa. I decided to bring it out on the beach. It was a total bust. The drone needed another update (they seemed to be endless in those first few days) and it wanted to recalibrate…If you haven’t been through this yet, get ready. It seems to be required on every session. The drone gives you instructions – rotate the aircraft horizontally 360 degrees, and then vertically 360 degrees…This was my first time encountering this, and though I was following the instructions, it still took a few tries. And finally, after all that, there just wasn’t enough bandwidth on the beach for the millionth update I needed (f*@$!). I had to give it up. Next stop was the big island, Hawaii. My stay here was super short, and it was pouring rain and super windy the entire time. Not ideal for droning. Never even pulled my little bug out of the bag…sigh… Finally, American Samoa! The first lesson I learned came quickly - pulling out a drone in a third world environment is the fastest way to get literally EVERYBODY’s attention. I wanted to be slick and nonchalant but it’s just not possible, so fumbling through this recalibration process again was absolutely agonizing. There I was, picking it up, turning it around, setting it down, picking it up, rotating it…I could feel all eyes on me every time. I’d see little kids pointing at me from the corner of my eye and try to appear unaffected, but on the inside, I just wanted to crawl under a rock. As a girl who works hard to slip by unnoticed in life I was desperately uncomfortable with the attention I was getting. But alas! My persistence paid off. I’d gotten the drone into the air. Great, I thought. All I have to do now is make it fly in the direction I intend! And herein lies my second issue - I cannot tell you how many times I pushed on the joystick and watched the drone immediately buzz off in the opposite direction I’d intended. Despite these minor mishaps getting started, droning in American Samoa was rad! The territory is made up of 3 main islands. The largest, Tutuila, is the most populated and most developed. So, for this adventure, we decided to head to Ofu island, which is much smaller and more remote. It’s also insanely beautiful. The beaches here are nearly untouched by humans – the silky white sand glimmers in the sun, the water is crystal clear turquoise and teeming with life. There are over 250 species of coral here and over 950 species of fish (that’s more than twice the species you'll find in Hawaii!). Giant jet-black lava boulders protrude on the beach and the backdrop on land is lush emerald-green jungle. I don’t think I could’ve found a more incredible spot on Earth! Full disclosure: What I didn’t realize at the time, is that much of my flight took place over the national park beach, and droning is not allowed at national parks. In August 2014 The National Park Service made it illegal to launch, land, or operate unmanned aircraft under 36 CFR 1.5 (this law basically gives NPS the complete authority set and eliminate limits on public use within the parks, like a ban on flying drones). I didn’t know this at the time, and only found out later – don’t make this mistake when you drone. It’s important to check more than just general guidelines for your destination. Check specific sites where you plan to launch your drone on AirMap – it’s free and easy to use and it’s the best way to avoid a ticket or a fine on your trip. I had two successful afternoon flights and one during sunset on Ofu before returning to Tutuila for one last day. I decided to fly one more time there, but I was at the hotel and had already returned the rental car and I needed to pack for my flight so I didn’t want to walk down to the beach. The location was beautiful though, and I was eager to fly, so I decided I’d fly right off my hotel room balcony. Taking off from the balcony wasn’t too difficult, aside from again capturing the attention of every human within a half-mile radius. I was able to jet off the balcony, fly over the hotel and glide over open ocean once again. The bay here was much less windy than the beach on Ofu, and I’d had no trouble at all taking off from the balcony, so I felt much more relaxed and confident now. So, naturally the gods of technology saw fit to kick me down a couple of pegs! When it was time to land her, I found it to be much more difficult than take off. To do it, I’d have to bring the drone in over the partition wall and set her down in the center of the balcony to avoid the wooden slats. And this is where the trouble began… I realized I wasn’t so confident after all, so I decided to try to take the easy way out – use the Return to Home feature. Obviously, there’d been enough space between the drone and the balcony walls for an easy take off. Return to Home is supposed to return the drone to the point of takeoff - perfect! Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite that simple. The drone returned but it was slightly askew from where it had taken off from. It was too close to the partition wall. It hovered there, halfway between the ground and the top of the partition, alarms blaring, props whirring, whipping the wind into my face. In the tiny space of an enclosed balcony the buzzing was incredibly loud and echoing. Here I was again – ALL EYES ON ME! I was instantly overwhelmed and flustered; I could feel my face and ears turn beet red and I was starting to stress-sweat There were suddenly a lot of voices – adults yelling, little kids shouting. And then a young girl somewhere below me couldn’t take anymore. She screamed a blood-curdling scream…seriously, the girl has a bright future in horror films. Remember that issue I mentioned, where I move the joystick intending to the move the drone one direction and she takes off in the opposite direction? It was rearing its ugly head again! I pulled the joystick to bring her closer to the center, but apparently, I was urging her backward. She didn’t move – just continued to hover in place, sounding the alarm. Then the scream. That scream did me in! It made me jump and, in a panic, I just decided to force the thing down. A back prop clipped the wall and that was my beautiful new drone's first crash-landing…certainly didn’t take long…smh. Luckily, only a prop was damaged. I’ve flown a few times since and there appears to be no issues from that minor collision. Not too bad for a beginner, eh? And I’m happy to report, I’ve gotten much better at flying since then, and much less concerned with the attention it draws. And that’s good news, because I've got big plans for this little bug. Happy flying! Kori's on a mission to see the world and do good for the Earth and inspire YOU to do the same! Since 2016 she's visited 6 continents! Along the way she's hiked the Inca Trail, chased waterfalls and the Northern Lights in the Arctic, island-hopped on a pirate boat in Asia, explored incredible coral reefs in Oceania and stand-up paddle boarded in Antarctica! Don't ask her to pick her favorite adventure - it's impossible to choose! www.theearthlyvagabond.com #dronedronegirlfirstflightDJIMavicAirMavic #americansamoa #dronegirl #femaledronepilot #womenwhodrone

What is Part 107? Essentially, Part 107 is a remote pilot certification process for the commercial use of small drones. Without one, flying a drone for profit could get you fined upwards of $1,000. Part 107 was finalized as part of Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations on June 21st, 2016. To have a Part 107 remote pilot certificate (or “commercial drone license”) means that pilots are allowed to operate their drones for profit without a Section 333 Exemption (Section 333 being the part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that “grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to determine whether an airworthiness certificate is required for a UAS to operate safely in the National Airspace System (NAS)”). How do You Get Certified? Certification for Part 107 can be obtained in a couple of different ways. Pilot certificate holders may either take the FAA Safety Team online course called “Part 107 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) ALC-451” or take the aeronautical knowledge test, then submit an online or paper application (FAA form “8710-13”) through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA). All other applicants are required to pass the FAA remote pilot knowledge test. Are You Eligible to Take the Test? Not everyone can nor needs to take the Part 107 certificate. You can’t or don’t need to obtain certification if you are: Only a recreation drone user, Under 16 years old, or A Part 16 certificate pilot who has completed a flight review within the past 24 months ( meaning you have the option to complete the Safety Team training course, and submit an 8710-13 form) Before You Take the Test Each attempt to pass the test costs $150. Administration of the test is by appointment through www.catstest.com. There, you can pay and search for your nearest testing site. The test is administered at around 700 locations approved by the FAA, so you have a good chance of finding a site closeby. Unfortunately, you won’t know your actual testing date until a few days after registering when a representative from a CATS Testing Center will call to reserve a time slot, or you can directly book an exam by calling the CATS facility directly (800-947-4228). What to Expect on Test Day At your local testing center, the test will be administered electronically at a computer station under the supervision of a proctor. You will have 2 hours to complete 60 multiple choice questions. A score of at least 70% is required to pass, and you will be tested on the following 12 topics: Regulations Under Part 107 Airspace Classifications Flight Restrictions Aeronautical Charts Airport Operations for Drone Pilots Radio Communications for sUAS Pilots Aviation Weather for Drone Pilots Maintenance and Preflight Procedures Crew Resource Management and Aeronautical Decision Making sUAS Loading and Performance Hazards to Flight and Emergency Procedures Physiology for Drone Pilots Under Part 107 After the Test Immediately upon completion of your test, you will receive your score. If you failed, you will have to wait 14 days before you can be tested again. If you passed, your temporary certificate will be made available on the IACRA site within one week. With the temporary certificate, you can fly legally. Within 1 to 3 months, your permanent Remote Pilot Certificate will arrive in the mail. This certificate is valid for 24 months before you need to retake the test. Resources If you’re worried about the certification process or the material, there are many guides available online to help you prepare. You can check out these resources for more information on Part 107 and obtaining certification: What is “Part 107”? Drone Certification: A Step-by-Step Guide to FAA Part 107 for U.S. Commercial Drone Pilots How to get your drone license (and legally make money) DARTdrones: Pass the Part 107 FAA Drone Pilot Exam 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

If you don’t already know, DJI was scheduled to have what seemed to be a release event in NYC on July 18th, 2018. However, this morning, we received an email that it was postponed for a later date. A few hours later, an image of what appears to be a NEW Mavic Pro started circulating on social media. After further observation of the image, this could very well be the announcement DJI was supposed to release on July 18th. After examining the leaked image, it appears that there is a much larger camera attached that resembles the size of the Phantom Pro 4. By the size of it, this could mean that the new Mavic Pro might have a 1 inch sensor, which would improve the overall photo and video quality over the original Mavic Pro. The propellers look like they may have been redesigned, which could mean that they might be quieter, but at the very least, they have folding propellers just like the original. Could this be what DJI was going to announce on July 18th? Why do you think they postponed the event? And who on earth is going to go down for leaking this photo? What do you think?

When entering college, you may not know what it is you want to study at first. After perusing through your course listings, many things may jump out at you as potentially being interesting. While you’re looking, keep an eye out! You may or may not be aware, but schools are adding drone training to their registry. Colleges are training students to be drone operators and technicians. Our world is changing, and our schools are trying to reflect the society we currently live in. Drones are being integrated into different parts of society. It's a growing market which could lead to increased demand in drone expertise. Colleges and universities are beginning to realize this. For years, colleges and universities from all over the country have been adding minors and degrees in Unmanned Aerial/Aircraft Systems. Students at the Embry-Riddle University (one of the first universities to offer this program) have the options of obtaining their Bachelors on either the Pilot or Operator track.Their typical first semester schedule for someone on this path includes courses in pilot operations and aeronautical science success. As the job market demand for all things drone related continues to increase, universities are enhancing their efforts to prepare the potential workforce. The number of job opportunities available in defense, aerospace, and the commercial sectors has the potential to grow significantly, but the future is uncertain. While colleges are glad to provide students with the opportunity to learn, Technology Review reports that faculty are uncomfortable with the lack of certainty surrounding their student’s job prospects. Regardless of these fears, the drone industry is expected to continue to grow. The AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) foresees the drone industry creating over 100,000 jobs through 2025. As a new and rising industry is still unclear what the future holds for people who take on these specializations. Current students should take advantage of their advisors, upperclassmen and entry level courses if they are interested in pursuing the degree. Other options to get your hands on a drone are workshops taught by the Women Who Drone! Check out upcoming workshops below. Check out these lists of schools that offer drone training programs: Women Who Drone Workshops based in NYC 15 Best Drone Training Colleges Drone Training Colleges: The 20 Best Ranked 16 Top Drone Programs at Universities and Colleges 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