Drone News: DroneUp acquires Airmap, DRL Accreditation, +55lb Drone Waiver, Remote ID Update!

Join us in learning about the recent up-comings in the drone
community. DroneUp, a DSP, has squired the former LAANC provider,
Airmap. The Drone Racing League has been accredited by the FAA in
a first-of-its-kind drone safety event accreditation. A pilot,
and friend of Pilot Institute, Kenji Sugahara, has received a
response from the FAA regarding is p.107 exemption for a +55lb
drone.





DroneUp is acquiring Airmap No disclosed price for the
transaction or date. This is interesting to see a drone delivery
platform purchase a software provider such as airmap.
 AirMap has been in the news over the years and more
recently for losing their ability to issue LAANC requests and
wanting to monetize on the airspace access.
 https://www.zdnet.com/article/mergers-pave-way-for-scaling-drone-delivery/ 





DRL is now an FAA-accredited drone event organizer.  DRL
will help to oversee UAS events to ensure safety. “We’re honored
the FAA has accredited DRL as the first UAS event organization,
and we’re excited to participate in the FAA’s PSP program to
ensure safety is the priority at all UAS events,” said DRL COO
Ashley Ellefson. “We look forward to sharing our expertise in
drone-event safety more widely with the industry and continuing
to work with venue organizers to curate safe and spectacular
drone racing experiences through the most unique and incredible
spaces.”  





Kenji Sugahara has received the first 55lb+ exemption using only
a part 107. This paves the way into part 107 operators
potentially receiving waivers to operate aircraft that weigh more
than 55lbs.  Currently, part 107 operations are limited to
aircraft less than 55lbs. 





Fears of more expensive GPS appear to not be an issue for
transmitters and Standard RID. With this change however, comes
the possibility that cellphone’s GPS may not suffice for standard
RID.  An increase in cost however is unlikely, as WAAS GPS
units are within $5 of other GPS units currently in use on
unmanned aircraft.