Drone News Roundup: Memorial Day Sale, What To Do If Your Neighbor Calls the Police While You’re Flying, and More!

This week we’re covering our Memorial Day sale for Drone Pilot Ground School—get $140 off our FAA Part 107 test prep course now.

We’re also covering what to do if your neighbor calls the police while you’re flying your drone, Fresno police using a drone to catch retail theft suspects, the FCC extending firmware updates for DJI and Autel to 2029, and Sunflower Labs’ FAA approval for multi-drone operations.

Now on to the links!

Memorial Day Sale—Get $140 Off Drone Pilot Ground School (47% Discount)

Want to start flying drones for work? A key step is getting your Part 107 certificate.

Our remote test prep course Drone Pilot Ground School was made to help drone pilots get ready for the FAA’s Part 107 test. We’ve trained over 85,000 drone pilots and our students have a 99% pass rate. Today through Thursday, May 28 at 11:59 PM CT you can get $140 off the course (down from $299) and course bundles:

• Drone Pilot Ground School: $140 off
• Drone Pilot Pro Bundle: $140 off
• Drone Business Starter Bundle: $140 off
• All-Access Drone Training Bundle: $140 off

*A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a Veteran Service Organization, like K9s For Warriors.

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What to Do If a Neighbor Calls the Cops on Your Drone Flight

Ever had your neighbor threaten to call the cops for flying your drone? In this video, we analyzed a real-world confrontation between a neighbor and a drone pilot, separating FAA facts from neighborhood myths regarding airspace and privacy.

Here are the takeaways:

• Even if you’re legally in the right, make sure to stay calm and be respectful.
• Be ready to explain where you’re flying, why you’re flying, and whether you’re following FAA rules.
• Keep basic documentation handy—like your TRUST certificate or Part 107 certificate, registration if required, and any relevant airspace authorization—so you can show that you’re operating responsibly.

Watch the video for our full breakdown of what’s legal, and what to do if you ever find yourself in this tense situation.

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Fresno Police Use Skydio X10 to Catch Retail Theft Suspects

Police in Fresno, California recently used a Skydio X10 to track down suspects connected to a series of thefts at Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. In this case, the drone wasn’t just an extra tool—without it, it’s unlikely the thieves would have been caught. Using the X10’s live aerial view, officers followed the suspects after they fled the store, helping ground units locate and arrest them. According to Fresno police, the suspects were connected to several thefts, totaling more than $10,000.

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FCC Clears DJI and Autel Firmware Updates Through 2029

The DJI Avata 360 | Credit: DJI

The FCC has announced that DJI and Autel drones already authorized for use in the U.S. can keep getting firmware and software updates through at least 2029. Prior to this news, we only knew that firmware updates would continue for DJI through the start of 2027. The decision helps address concerns that common consumer drones could suddenly lose access to updates or support due to ongoing regulatory pressure against Chinese drone companies. For DJI and Autel owners, this news means existing drones can continue receiving updates for at least three more years.

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Sunflower Labs Gets FAA Approval for Multiple Drones Controlled by One Pilot

Credit: Sunflower Labs

Sunflower Labs has received an FAA waiver allowing a single pilot to operate up to six drones at the same time, a big step toward making autonomous drone security systems more scalable. The approval covers a broad operational bundle, including BVLOS flights, flying over people and moving vehicles, low-visibility operations, and multi-aircraft control.

Significantly, the waiver isn’t tied to a single location—it can be used across multiple deployment sites where the operating conditions match the approval. That flexibility matters because Sunflower’s system is designed around autonomous security drones that launch from docking stations in response to motion or security alerts. Since each drone can operate for up to eight hours a day, one pilot supervising six drones could oversee security operations across more than 18 deployed sites, potentially making drone-based patrols a lot less expensive, and a lot easier to do.

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