Drone News Roundup: Drone Flies Up Erupting Volcano, New DJI Mini 5 Pro Leaks, and More!
BY Zacc Dukowitz
7 August 2025This week we’re covering FPV footage from a drone flying up an erupting volcano.
We’re also covering new leaks about the DJI Mini 5 Pro, how drones helped first responders during the recent flooding in Texas, tips for changing company culture to embrace drone technology, and drones helping researchers in the Amazon find the largest river nesting site for turtles in the world.
Now let’s get to those links!
Rocks Crash around Drone As It Flies Up Erupting Volcano
Talk about sketchy! In this video trending on the drones subreddit, we see FPV footage as the drone flies up an erupting volcano, rocks crashing all around. In a split screen, we also see the FPV pilot—who, we should say, is remarkably calm and collected given how close to destruction his drone comes. Though the rocks whizzing by are dramatic, our favorite part of the video might just be the sound: the rumbling eruption and crashing rocks make the danger feel all the more real.
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New Leaked Images and Specs for the DJI Mini 5 Pro
In recent days, we’ve seen a flood of DJI Mini 5 Pro leaks, including images of the drone’s box and its spec sheet. From that spec sheet, we’ve learned what to expect when the Mini 5 Pro launches: a 1″ sensor (up from the Mini 4 Pro’s 1/1.3”), 4K/120fps video, a 48mm telephoto mode, and—getting the most attention—omnidirectional LiDAR obstacle sensing. Flight time will be 36 minutes, an increase from 34 minutes with the Mini 4 Pro. Another point of interest is the absence of the typical “under 249g” label on the box, driving speculation about the drone’s weight. Still, we’d be surprised if DJI deviates from the sub-249g threshold, given that it’s the registration limit in the U.S. and several other countries.
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Drones Proved Crucial During Texas Floods
Source: DroneLife
During the catastrophic flooding last month in Texas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department used drones to support rescue efforts on several fronts. In San Angelo, drone pilots delivered a life jacket to a stranded woman and provided visual support until first responders could save her. Drones also helped with swift-water rescue teams, provided real-time video to incident command, and helped prevent airspace conflicts among multiple agencies.
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Advice on Changing Company Culture to Embrace Innovation
Credit: MFE Inspection Solutions
Getting an industrial drone program off the ground requires more than just investing in hardware—it demands a shift in organizational mindset. A recent article in Commercial UAV News by UAV Coach writer Zacc Dukowitz lays out practical strategies for driving culture change: focus on education early; get leadership buy-in; start small and scale; empower field advocates; and learn from setbacks. The biggest piece of advice? Conduct internal marketing to sell the benefits of drones and advanced robotics to colleagues in other departments, so they understand the improvements these technologies bring. The article was based on advice shared in a panel Zacc moderated at the Energy Drone & Robotics Summit this summer Houston.
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Drones Reveal World’s Largest River Nesting Site for Turtles
New findings in the Amazon demonstrates the power of drones in wildlife conservation. Researchers from the University of Florida used aerial surveys to count over 41,000 giant South American river turtles nesting on the Guaporé River, along the Brazil-Bolivia border. By marking turtle shells and flying drones over breeding colonies, the team discovered far more turtles than ground counts had indicated. These findings highlight the promise of drone data and the importance of accurate wildlife monitoring for threatened species.
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