Drone News Roundup: Free Fall with the DJI Avata, Sale on New Dronetag Remote ID Module, and More
BY Zacc Dukowitz
7 March 2024This week we’re covering an epic free fall dive shot in a beautiful, mountainous locale on the DJI Avata.
We’re also covering a new Remote ID module from DroneTag launched just before the FAA starts enforcing the Remote ID rule on March 16, a fun freestyle FPV video shot by DRL world champion Alex Vanover, reporting from Drone Industry Insights that shows investment in the drone industry fell by 50% last year, and news that Arizona is moving to ban Chinese drones while Texas police departments would like to keep using them.
Now let’s get to those links!
Free Fall Dive with the DJI Avata
Some drone shots take you back to that thrill you felt when you first put your hands on the sticks. This free fall dive shot on the DJI Avata by YouTuber Forward Motion FPV is one of them. The shot starts high above a sweeping view of green, mist-covered mountains and water, then quickly turns for a steep dive, sweeping alongside a bridge and down over a green river. It’s beautiful, and just about 30 seconds—take a look if you’re in need of some inspiration today.
LEARN MORE
Dronetag Offers Special Remote ID BS Combo for $99
Credit: DroneTag
Dronetag has launched the second generation of the BS, its Remote ID broadcast module. (The BS is a tongue-in-cheek way to talk about Remote ID—it stands for Basic Solution, but if you’re annoyed by the rule, Dronetag is happy for you to use the other meaning.) As you can see in the picture above, the BS is teeny tiny—it weighs just one gram (.035 ounces)—and according to Dronetag it’s the smallest Remote ID solution on the market. Right now, as part of a special promotion, Dronetag is offering the module in a BS Combo that comes with enclosure, battery, charger, and antennas for $99.
Remember, the Remote ID rule will be enforced starting on March 16—which is next Saturday. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to comply with the rule, the BS Combo may be your best bet.
LEARN MORE
Fast, Beautiful Freestyle FPV in the Woods
What’s the vibe around flying FPV in the woods? Pretty damn good, we’d say. This impressive video from Alex Vanover features freestyle FPV footage shot at an FPV course created in a beautiful, green forest. Vanover was the 2019 DRL world champion, and you can see why in this footage, which is worth watching for the first line alone. In the video, Vanover zips effortlessly through obstacles, making last minute switches and quick changes that showcase his incredible flying chops. Vanover’s FPV drone shots were used in Michael Bay’s action-packed movie Ambulance to make the action sequences come alive, putting him in an elite group of drone pilots. Watch the video to see his skills on full display.
LEARN MORE
Drone Funding Fell by 50% Last Year
For years, investment in the drone industry has grown at a rapid pace. According to Drone Industry Insights (DroneII), funding for drone companies doubled two different times in the last five years—once from 2019 to 2020, and again from 2020 to 2021. That’s huge growth. But now things are cooling down. According to a new report from DroneII, in 2023 the total amount invested in the drone industry was $1.7 billion. That’s down from $3.3 billion in 2022—a reduction of about 50%. DroneII points out that the number of investments didn’t go down significantly, just the amount invested, indicating that companies may simply be moving past the early stages, in which they need major amounts of capital to get off the ground, and into more mature territory, where they can rely on their own revenue in addition to fundraising to stay open and continue growing.
LEARN MORE
Arizona Wants to Ban Chinese Drones, Texas Police Want to Keep Using Them
Credit: DJI
DJI ban efforts are just heating up. When the Congress passed a law banning Chinese drones from use by the federal government a few months back we predicted it would lead to state bans, with states passing their own state-level bans. The losers in all this are police and fire departments, who have relied almost exclusively on DJI drones to build their fleets. Florida passed a Chinese drone ban last year without a plan for funding replacements, and it’s estimated that the ban will cost police departments in the state over $25 million (the state legislature has earmarked $2.5 million to help, but only after a big outcry about the repercussions of the ban).
Now we may start seeing the state ban effort begin in force. In Arizona, a new law that looks likely to pass will ban state agencies from using or buying Chinese drones. But law enforcement in Texas has voiced its desire to continue using Chinese drones. Findings from a recent survey of police departments and sheriff’s offices indicate that many of them own and plan to continue using DJI drones, while noting that they’re being mindful of security precautions around how data is collected and shared.
LEARN MORE
Make sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter using the button below so you can get our weekly newsletter every Saturday, with this roundup and our other featured stories from the week.
