Drone News: Drone Hits a Robinson Helicopter, 2024 American Security Drone Act, and a Drone Rescue

Welcome to your weekly news update, we have 3 stories for you
this week, drone hits Robinson R44, 2024 NDAA signed with
American Security Drone Act, and a Drone Rescue, lets get to it!
https://droneadvocacyalliance.com





First up this week is one you’ve probably seen… A Robinson R44
Helicopter, operated by Leading Edge Helicopter Tours hit a drone
at approximately 180 feet near KDAB. It’s unclear what phase of
flight the helicopter was in, but it was able to land without any
injuries. The incident occurred above the Daytona Beach Flea
Market, in Daytona Beach, Florida while the UAS operator was
flying a mission for a construction company. All current
information points to the UAS operator having the valid
permissions to operate at that altitude in that area. The
replacement of the R44’s rotor blade is estimated to cost
approximately $60,000. Both the NTSB and FAA were notified and
we’re going to hold off on assumptions at this time, we’ll wait
for the NTSB report to be released. Next up this week is the 2024
NDAA, which had the American Security Drone Act added as an
amendment. If you’re unfamiliar with the ASDA, it aims to address
cybersecurity concerns for drones used by federal agencies. The
law defines aircraft as “Covered” and means they were
made/produced in China. The ASDA does NOT ban DJI or Autel drones
for recreational or commercial use. The ASDA does limit the use
of drones that are made by a “Covered Foreign Entity”, but an
exemption is in place if “as procured or as modified after
procurement but before operational use, can no longer transfer
to, or download data from, a covered foreign entity and otherwise
poses no national security cybersecurity risks as determined by
the exempting official.” This means drones with secure data
modes, such as Enterprise DJIs, may be allowed to be operated by
federal agencies and purchased using federal grants…. But… Later
in the law is a two year buffer, meaning for the next two years
no federal agency may fly a covered aircraft, procure a covered
unmanned aircraft, or spend federal grant money on the operation
of a covered aircraft. There is NO limitation in the ASDA
limiting public safety from spending non-federal money on these
covered aircraft. If you want to get involved in opposing the
ASDA as it currently stands, head over to the DAA and let your
representative know. Last up this week is a drone for good story
out of Weber County, Utah. A foreign exchange student, Kai
Zhuang, was reported missing by his parents in China, after they
supposedly received a picture of him indicating he had been
abducted and ransom was demanded. Despite initial fears, there
was no concrete evidence suggesting a forceful removal of Kai
from his home. Using an M30T, the Weber County SAR team located
Kai hiding in the mountains of Utah in a tent while fearing for
his family’s safety. It’s unclear what actually caused the
incident, but we’ll keep you updated if we see more. Alright,
that’s it!


Happy new year and we’ll see you Monday for the Live event!
https://dronexl.co/2024/01/01/rescue-missing-student-dji-drone/
https://dspalliance.org/what-the-2023-national-defense-authorization-act-means-to-the-uas-industry/