Drone News: Senate Drone Ban, Commercial UAV, WingtraCloud, and Two New Pilot Institute Courses!

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, we have four stories for you this week: NDAA Markup, Commercial UAV Workshops, WingtraCloud, and two new courses from Pilot Institute!
droneadvocacyalliance.com
Search and Rescue Class:
pilotinstitute.com/course/drone-search-and-rescue-essentials/
LiDAR Class:
pilotinstitute.com/course/drone-lidar/
Podcast episode on drone bans:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppS9pZlrnJKBnK8
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Senate Drone Ban
01:50 Commercial UAV
02:59 WingtraCLOUD
03:28 Two New Pilot Institute Courses!
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Now is the time to make our voices heard in the US Senate.
The Senate Armed Services Committee is considering its version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
The House’s NDAA bill includes the Countering CCP Drones Act, which would ban DJI Drones.
It’s also important to ensure the Drones for First Responders Act or the Countering CCP Drones Act isn’t included in the bill’s language.
As a reminder, the Countering CCP Drones Act plans to ban Chinese drones by revoking to preventing new FCC approvals, which would affect EVERYONE, including public safety agencies.
The DFR Act would ban Chinese drones in 5 years after creating an incremental tariff, which would affect everyone, including public safety agencies that would lose financial aid after 5 years and have to pay for expensive drones without subsidies.
The Senate will vote on their version of the act next week, between June 11th and June 13th, so the time to act is NOW.
Please visit the DAA’s website to contact your senator!
droneadvocacyalliance.com/
Next up, Commercial UAV Expo is around the corner!
I’ll be on a panel with Desiree Ekstein, Jared, Janacek, Vic Moss, Kenji Sugahara, and Amy T Wiegand discussing Regulations and Compliance, BVLOS, Airspace Management, Remote I, Operations Over People and Vehicles, and more.
The talk is on Tuesday, September 3rd from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM and I hope to see you there!
www.expouav.com/session/now-beyond-2024-essentials-for-every-drone-pilot/
Last up, Wingtra released WingtraCLOUD this week!
WingtraCLOUD is a new software solution for flight planning, site-based file organization, 3D Planning, and coordinate systems.
The primary goal of the new software is to streamline surveyors' workflows and enable more data capture.
It doesn’t look like WingtraCLOUD currently integrates an image processing system but integrations are available according to Wingtra’s website.
We’ll keep you updated if we see more!
wingtra.com/wingtracloud/
Lastly, two new courses: LiDAR and Search and Rescue.
Have a great week, and we’ll see you on Monday for the Live!

[@FDB-]

When an American company makes a drone that is as good as my DJI Air 2S, I’ll happily sell my DJI and never look back. But the unfortunate truth is that just doesn’t exist. And it doesn’t appear to be coming anytime soon.

[@hawgly]

I took the time to visit the Drone Advocacy Alliance website and use their contact information to let my legislators know I oppose the current drone legislation. If you really care about your drones and the industry, take five minutes and contact your lawmakers. This is important.

[@aaron6516]

Great news update!! I hope that everyone takes action on this NDAA... its not that hard make your voices heard!

[@HighlanderMikeGolf]

Thanks Greg, The Search and Rescue Course looks awesome…definitely going to check that out. Hopefully we can still fly in 5 years. I think we need to propose a bill to ban politicians. Thanks again for keeping us up to speed!

[@jfreytes]

Please include Puerto Rico so we can send our opposition to this bill to our representative. She has no vote on Congress but she has a voice in it by law. Thanks!

[@timothystark4475]

Great info. I submitted to my Maryland senators.

[@warrenjameson5465]

I have heard the TERM "SECURITY ISSUES", but no one has told me EXACTALY what is being transmitted and WHEN it is transmitted back to the Chinese Servers. Unless they can PROVE THIS, wouldn't this BAN be ILLEGAL?

[@jeremyleonbarlow]

It is a violation of the fifth amendment.

[@PropertyHighlightsTTP]

Half the s they do is illegal.

[@ForjdAmerica]

At this point it's a non issue and the legalities of the bill. They are doing it. We've got to make our voices heard. Contact your Reps.

[@yecatsbearcat9117]

Beaver County! My better half worked for the Sheriff there for almost 3 decades and we know most everyone in the area. We raised our two Daughters in a town called Beaver Falls, the birthright of the Great Joe Namath. Thanks again for the great update, I will call my NC Senator as I always do. Great weekend everyone!

[@NoI.D.]

My money, my drone, my business! What the government need to do is actually tell the truth for once. Moreover, actually come to the round table to solve issues instead of causing them! 🤜🎤

[@pstarxxx78]

Lol technically it’s DJIs drone. You can buy it. But you will never own it. About the time ccp sends out the brick yo sheeet update.

[@PropertyHighlightsTTP]

That'd be sweet

[@edruttledge342]

This isn't "the government." This is high placed players in one party trying garner favor with one guy by bashing China more than he does [... as they all use their phones containing Chinese components].

[@-Rowdy-]

Great info. Submitted to my Florida Senators.

[@captrobchichester]

I wrote to all three of my federal representatives (2 Senators, and 1 Congressperson). They are all soft-pedaling the concern and putting the "blame" on the FCC to decide if the DJI fleet is actually a national security threat. One even went so far as to say they did not know much, if anything, about the bills. Their responses were aggravating and ridiculous.

[@ForjdAmerica]

That's what our elected officials have resorted to. "We're just not that educated in the issues but we'll vote on them anyway. " Men and women who have no clue are making decisions about our lives and livelihoods.

[@OTRFlyer]

Thanks for bringing this info about these politicians trying to ruin our hobby! I wouldn't even have known this stuff was going on without your bringing it to my attention. I went and filled out info and added my piece to send to the senate and hope that this will not pass!

[@sgrams3578]

Thank you for the weekly update and especially for the easy to send message, I believe it will help!

[@itsthehumidityyall8303]

If they have evidence of a security threat, it needs to be made public! Otherwise, stop taking money for your friend’s pet project.

[@markkempton4579]

BINGO. We'd have already shut down an actual security threat, not tax it and give it five years to propagate.

[@PropertyHighlightsTTP]

THERE IT IS!!!

[@dronebuzz]

Letters sent. Phone calls made! Thanks Greg! ;-) T

[@ANOTHERJOKER]

When regulation first began & while many in industry were applauding, I envisioned just where we seem to be headed. It's Insanity.

[@KnightmareOX]

Submitted twice before the vote and about to do it again

[@JimBailey]

Thank you so much for keeping us up to date on all the news. :)

[@eprohoda]

Nice to meet you, Pilot-useful ~ goodnight!

[@CoolBikeProjects]

Thank you for your advocacy and updates. It is greatly appreciated!!

[@russellpoley7438]

I love that you always add the bloopers at the end.

[@nirkitaro]

Good morning, Thank you for the update!

[@thurber_shots]

I'm currently in the planning phases with the California Highway Patrol to film them doing search and rescue exercises along the coast and it seems like this new course may be beneficial, I'll check it out.

[@csjmoore]

Has anyone calculated the loss of revenue caused by killing a whole new industry and the number of new jobs effected?

[@markkempton4579]

Yes.

[@PropertyHighlightsTTP]

@@markkempton4579 elaborate please. "Yes" doesn't do anything sir.

[@markkempton4579]

@@PropertyHighlightsTTP if you search, it's there. Start with the Drone Advocacy Alliance. Vic has stated many times but I don't want to misquote him. I believe 85% of drone service providers will go out of business if Chinese drones are not allowed.

[@SC515]

Good information. Thnks for sharing

[@ywedrone6707]

Just an FYI: the Comm UAV Expo is at the Caesars Forumn, not at the Caesars Palace. The Forumn is on the west side of S. Las Vegas Blvd directly east of Harrahs and LINQ. If you book at room at one of the Caesars Towers on the west side of Las Vegas Blvd, it's a good 30-minute walk to the Forumn.

[@PilotInstitute]

Good catch!

[@RDOverland]

So I invested in a DJI drone to make off-road/overland videos and now Uncle Sam wants to get rid of DJI drones. They are very affordable compared to other drones that are not Chinese made. Unfortunately if this goes through, it’s not going to be easy to get another drone. Maybe the government should provide everyone with expensive, authorized and government complient drones since they want to take it away. Let’s cross our fingers and hope this does not happen.

[@ejh_x2]

just got my first dji mini 4 pro, i financed it for 12 months, haven't even made a payment on it and i see they are banning drones and we won't get $$$ back 😓

[@ronsaathoff1561]

I’m new to drones I don’t even have one yet. I ordered a mini3 and it’s supposed to deliver on the 11th. I’m not sure if I should accept it or return it. I am 60 years old and don’t have the money to throw away if the ban passes. I have always wanted a drone and now I may not be able to fly it depending on the bills due to pass. I contacted the senators to stop it but we all know how air government is. There are going to go with whom ever greases there palms best. I hope for everyone’s sake it doesn’t pass but I am not sure if I am going to be able to be a part of the drone community. Don’t know what to do with my delivery keep it or return it. Help

[@sarahjenkins7064]

They can't take away what you already have and the drone can fly without Internet access. Or am I missing something?

[@Huntley926]

Just sold my mini 2, this hobby gets attacked so much now you cant comfortably fly now. Too much of a money grab for the government. Going to drone sims.

[@jamieekinney]

Could you provide a link to the Search and Rescue course? I was only able to find the "Dronesponders" course on your website.

[@PilotInstitute]

Here's the link: pilotinstitute.com/course/drone-search-and-rescue-essentials/

[@johnnysager8899]

Did my part and Our rights are being threatened with this situation and the reason they are using is a joke!!

[@sullytrny]

Homegrown $3999 up

[@marcoruiz7242]

Done! I have just sent my opposition message.

[@jonred233]

How would the bill go about grounding existing DJI drones?

[@PilotInstitute]

It only discusses future DJI drones. We don’t think they could ban existing ones but these politicians can get crafty.

[@noseeum6385]

After a 30 year career of flying and now piddling with a DJ I Mini 3 Pro I am extremely impressed with your presentations and advocacy of the sport. Thanks for the legislative information: voices matter.

[@PH-md8xp]

Piddling, really? Sounds like you really look down on flying drones. No one is forcing you into it.

[@highsocietywellness]

Im literally thinking about buying myself a DJI drone for my birthday at the end of the month... Should i hold off on buying it until i see what happens?

[@KnightmareOX]

I would say yes just because things are so up in the air. I was going to buy an Avata soon but I’m holding off to see how this plays out.

[@TimsDrones]

All of this has the side effect - of pointing out how very very lame our drone industry is, here in the good old USA. And the mere fact that we cannot make competitive drones - that's telling as all get out. Not just about drones - but also about the whole electronic tech support industry here in the USA (it's gone, BTW - been gone for a few decades now).

[@usadroneflyer]

This ban on Chinese Drones is getting real... I have reached out and was told that it would not pass in the house; and it did.... Liars! What's next? Cell phones!

[@pspicer777]

Yes.

[@gearadventures]

Well TikTok and e-bikes are next. They already are adding 25% tariff to e-bikes starting June 15th

[@sarahjenkins7064]

​@@gearadventuresThe ultimate goal is to ban everything that is made in China.

[@toasti2699]

PLEASE contact your senator and representative directly and NOT through the website. Copy and paste the template, but look up their email addresses and contact directly. These voter service websites are often flagged and do not get much attention.

[@charlesrabycr]

It's about gaining a monopoly on drones. The average joe isn't going to buy a 14000$ drone.

[@kymdarling4080]

I am retiring from my 'day job' this year and want to do search and rescue for lost pets (like people living next or visiting wooded areas, lost while camping or hiking, after natural disasters, stuff like that, not in cities), would your search and rescue course have any benefit for me?

[@PilotInstitute]

The “lost person behavior” we teach in the course will be different for pets but everything else should apply.

[@steve-and-drones]

i fly for fun i don't fly over anyone i fly VLOS and i turn on my Remote ID module.

[@glenncoody]

The Gov't wants to take away MY drones?! "From my cold, dead RTH landing pad...!"

[@kellcoleStyleEnt]

I fly drones in the messing shit up for every body right now

[@jimquinn6433]

Ironic that they want DJI tossed out of the country while our military is using them (with our own software/firmware) and deployed with our special forces folks. At least that's what I've been told.

[@chemicalrage8458]

DJI just removed the US from collection of flight data. Their drones will no longer access Chinese servers. This is good news , but what about geofencing... DJI can still collect data if you need djis permission(unlock Geofencing) to fly in controlled airspace???

[@markkempton4579]

The nine most terrifying words in the English language: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Go home, Congress. You're drunk.

[@americandronecompanyllc4268]

I am quitting drones and retrofitting my homing pigeon with a action camera...

[@StellaDavila]

Are we really not going to be able to fly our DJI drones?

[@PilotInstitute]

An FCC ban would ban only new DJI drones.

[@StellaDavila]

@@PilotInstitute I took action and sent the emails. But do you mean we can still fly Mini 2 and Mini 3 Pro?

[@markkempton4579]

@@StellaDavila The proposed FCC ban would prevent the FCC from granting frequency use to DJI going forward. It would not block existing drones from working.

[@rayofsunshine107h]

@@markkempton4579 ahhh thank you

[@jon_espi10]

Uh oh

[@mattalford3932]

DJI should shut down its geofencing protections.

[@derose2026]

Keep talking about it! Do you have an online petition?

[@markkempton4579]

@derose2026 - it's the first link in the description

[@Ozkar2023]

Why don't they banned TikTok

[@sarahjenkins7064]

I thought they did, didn't they? The law has passed and they either divest or get banned, no?

[@KimFieldstad]

Aren't iPhones made in China.

[@rcbearings1]

Virtually every phone sold is made in China.

[@OVAZUSA]

I wrote both of my AZ Senators today and will call my US Representative Monday to Vote No on this misguided bill.

[@Dnf_Jeff]

What’s the accent. I’ve waited long enough.

[@PilotInstitute]

Pink is usually the accent color we use but we've been known to use blue as well.

[@Dnf_Jeff]

@@PilotInstitute His voice lol!

[@lanceboudreau3630]

Im not sure who can help with this but it needs to be know it is very important. The company that makes Autel Drones is the same exact company us in the automotive industry use for autel automotive diagnostic scanners. The reason this needs to be know and spread around is because they are banning drones because of cmthem being made in china and spying. So please explain why they arent banning autel diagnostic equipment. Especiacially when they are scanning diagnosing and PROGRAMMING US autmobiles. The government needs to know that this is the exact same company and if they are fmgoing to ban one they need to ban all and if they arent going to ban all then whats the valid excuse for just the drone side.. please spread this word to every senator and state house. I dont know how to spread this fast enoughh but it needs to be HEARD.

[@lanceboudreau3630]

Also sorry for the bad Grammer I was in a frenzy trying to get that out knowing we have little time to act

[@PropertyHighlightsTTP]

My question is; Will emailing standardized or not standardized paragraphs to the people in power do anything at all? I believe that as voters and right holders, it's much more important to make an effort to expose the ridiculousness of bills of this nature. There's clearly a hidden agenda behind this bill and that should be our focus. Of course, go through the systematic steps to make an effort to be heard but we really should emphasize educating ourselves on the people WE vote into these positions of power. I'm genuinely curious as to how the senate and house could honestly believe that these drones are more of a threat than the multi-million dollar satellites that orbit the globe on China's behalf. Sorry, this stuff really pisses me off.

[@robertdodson1823]

Contacting my senator (or my representative when that applies) doesn't do any good. They hold to their party line and don't listen to constituents opposing that line, so in the case of drone legislation, my input would effectively be ignored. It's unfortunate, but it's the way politics is working these days. I, too would welcome any US manufacture, but that's just about as likely as my appointed congressional representation listening to me on this topic.

[@RecoveryoneDrone]

Greg! have you been to the Billy Kyle speed speaking school, where he teaches you how to not breath for 5-10 minutes while speaking.....lol

[@PilotInstitute]

haha, Billy is still the master at information per minute.

[@w.e.s.]

They aint gonna ban drones quit talking about it. Nobody that doenst fly knows what remote id is we did that to ourselves talking. Same with the ban quit talkin about it. Same with part 107 people talked they did it. Like covid it wasnt the government it was mads hysteria bc social media blew it out of proportion

[@caesarsride7329]

You’re selling courses and showcase training in rescue and mapping but all that is useless because there aren’t any drones capable of doing this except for DJI drones. Even in your video of search and rescue they were using a DJI drone. You want to map something get surveyors to do it, need to find a missing person time to hoof it or just use the standard police line we’re doing everything we can. I suppose you could attach your lidar equipment to a kite just make sure it’s not made in china. How many channels and influencers will go away after this ban. Honestly I have multiple drones new in box anyone want to buy them let me know.