Your First March Update

Are you covered for Invasion of Privacy?

In an unusual turn of events, drones made the Daily Mail’s famous celebrity-focused ‘sidebar of shame’. The newspaper reported that former Apprentice contestant, Luisa Zissman tracked down and confronted a pilot who flew their device over her property without permission. The story highlights the need for pilots to obtain the correct insurance cover, such as Invasion of Privacy, which comes with all Moonrock policies as standard. 

Skydio X10 pilots must update battery firmware

Drone DJ has warned that users of the Skydio X10 drone must update their battery firmware before they fly their drone again.

The update has been developed to tackle the issue of some X10 and X10D models losing power while in mid-flight. The update applies to the drone, controller, and batteries.

If pilots fail to complete all steps of the update the drone will not operate. Drone DJ has outlined the action pilots must take so, if you fly the X10 or X10D please take a look.

Everdrone expands life-saving drone operations to Mölndal, Sweden

Everdrone, which specialises in the drone delivery of medical equipment, has expanded its life-saving drone operations to Mölndal, marking the sixth active deployment site in Sweden. 

Since 2021, Everdrone has been working in collaboration with Västra Götalandsregionen (VGR), the Emergency Medical Dispatch Center (Sjukvårdens Larmcentral), SOS Alarm, and Karolinska Institutet to deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) via autonomous drones to critical medical emergencies. 

According to Everdrone, the initiative has already resulted in approximately 300 successful AED deliveries, significantly reducing response times for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) and increasing the chances of survival.

Johnny Hörberg, Head of Flight Operations at Everdrone, commented: “Expanding to an area outside controlled airspace is a major step forward. It demonstrates the scalability of our technology and how it can be deployed in diverse environments. This paves the way for broader adoption of life-saving drone services across more regions.”

Royal Navy’s mini-helicopter debuts on operations in Gulf

At just three metres (10ft) long, yet capable of sorties lasting up to five hours at ranges well over the horizon, Peregrine is the first remotely-piloted helicopter operated by the Royal Navy. 

It’s been launched from the flight deck of frigate HMS Lancaster, which is deployed to the Middle East on a long-term maritime security mission, during sweeps of the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman looking for smugglers and drug-runners on the so-called ‘Hash Highway’.

Peregrine has been launched on sorties by day and night, scouring hundreds of square miles of ocean on every flight, feeding data, live radar picture and imagery directly into displays monitored in the warship’s operations room.

“Being part of the team that used Peregrine in our counter-narcotics operations was a fascinating experience,” said AB(AWW) Bradley Morris,

“The clarity of the images we obtained from miles away was impressive and highlighted the advanced capabilities we have at our disposal. It’s exciting to see how technology is enhancing our operations at sea.”

Ondas Holdings and Volatus Aerospace team up on border security

Drone DJ reported that Ondas Holdings and Volatus Aerospace have joined forces to use autonomous drones to boost border security. The firms hope to use the Optimus system, a drone platform which is capable of intelligence gather and 24/7 monitoring.

New NEDs at the CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed the appointment of two Non-Executive to its Board.

Trisha McAuley OBE and Professor Jordan Giddings will take up their new roles this month.

Trisha is an independent consumer expert with a strong background in regulated markets. For over 20 years, she was a senior executive in UK and Scottish consumer organisations and is the former Scottish Director of Consumer Futures. She was awarded an OBE for services to consumer affairs in 2015.

Jordan will advise the regulator’s Board on emerging technologies and innovation. Jordan is a science and technology adviser to the UK Government and holds a number of academic posts including being a visiting Professor at the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at UCL, as well as at Cranfield University and the University of Hertfordshire.

Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We are a world-leading regulator with a clear mission to protect people and enable aerospace. We look forward to welcoming Trisha and Jordan to the Board.

“Their expertise and guidance will be crucial as we navigate the challenges of looking after consumers and encouraging innovation and growth, whilst always ensuring that the sector remains safe and increasingly sustainable.”

ARPAS-UK member update: Westcott Drone Test Development Centre expands 

The Westcott Drone Test and Development Centre (DTDC) is undergoing a £1.4m upgrade backed by the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

ARPAS-UK reported that its members is using the funding to enhance its capacity and capabilities. It is hoped that the improvements will support drone firms to test their products at an earlier stage of development.

The upgrades will allow the DTDC, which opened in 2023, to support a wider range of drone companies and accelerate the market readiness of innovative solutions.

Carrying dangerous goods? ARPAS-UK shares the templates

ARPAS-UK has reminded pilots of the need to follow the correct templates when carrying dangerous goods.

The body published Templates for Dangerous Goods Operations for UK aircraft operators which have been developed by the Civil Aviation Association. 

ARPAS-UK reminded pilots: “Operators should use the template that is appropriate to their operation and complete it according to their company’s procedures, instructions and policies in line with Guidance on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods as Cargo for UAS/RPAS Operators in the Specific Category provided by CAP 2555.”