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AgEagle Product Updates

2016 | September 08

FUNCTIONALITY UPDATE

AgEagle and Botlink have recently released updates that enhance the functionality of the RX60.  It is now possible to use the RX60 with no cellular connection.  This enables use of the RX60 outside of the United States and Canada, as well as areas where cellular service is substandard.

Mission Planning and RX60 Management

Using the USB radio attached to your tablet, you can upload your mission plan, control the aircraft while in flight, and monitor the number of images taken.

Image Transfer to Botlink Stitching Service

After flight, the images taken by the camera are automatically transferred to a Micro SD card that resides in the Botlink XRD.  You can simply remove this Micro SD card and upload the images through Botlink’s web portal.  This allows flexibility to upload the images over the best internet connection available, and to simply retrieve your Micro SD card and power off versus waiting for the images to transfer over the cellular connection.

Note:  After this update, images will no longer transfer over the cellular connection. This method is now the sole method of transferring imagery to Botlink.

Software Updates

Software updates can now be applied with a Micro SD card.  After an initial update over cellular, all subsequent updates can be accomplished without a cellular connection.  Any RX60 shipped after July 11, 2016 will already have this update in place.

Other Updates

In addition to these updates, many optimizations have been made to improve the stability of the camera on the RX60.  The Botlink stitching service has also been improved. For a complete description of the recent updates, visit the Botlink website.

NEW FAA RULES

The FAA recently released the new rules regarding the operation of UAVs. Here are some quick points and useful links to navigate the new FAA rules.

Notable Items
  • New rules went into effect August 29, 2016.
  • Flights must take place during daylight hours.
  • The UAV must be in the operator’s line of sight at all times during flight.
  • The UAV does not require an airworthiness certificate.
  • The UAV must be registered with the FAA.
  • Flights are allowed within class G (uncontrolled) airspace and do not require coordination with ATC.  This would include most airports and heliports that do not have manned air traffic control.
  • If you have an accident that results in damage over $500 to something other than the unmanned aircraft, or involving serious injury, you have 10 days to report it.
Getting Started
  • Operators without a pilot certificate will need to pass an initial knowledge test at an approved FAA testing center.
  • Operators will need to take a knowledge test every 2 years.
  • To view a list of testing centers, click here.  The locations with “ABS” in the Site ID can take testing appointments now.  There is a $150 fee to take the knowledge test.
  • If you already hold a pilot certificate, click here to take the online course to earn a temporary UAV rating. If you do not have a current pilot certificate, you can still take the course for educational purposes.
  • To see a tentative overview of what you can expect in the test, click here.
  • To see a list of example questions for the UAV test, click here.
Additional Information
FAA Regulatory and Guidance Library
  • Advisory Circulars
    -AC 107-2, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS)
    - AC 91-57A, Model Aircraft Operating Standards (for hobbyists conducting recreational UAS operations)
  • Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
    - 14 CFR Part 107, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (available after Part 107 Rule effective date)
  • 14 CFR Part 48, Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft
    - 14 CFR Part 61.56, Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructions, and Ground Instructions
    - 14 CFR Part 91 Subpart B, Flight Rules
    - 14 CFR Part 99.7, Security Control of Air Traffic
    - 14 CFR part 375.43, Navigation of Foreign Civil Aircraft within the United States


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