Thread: The future of UAV/UAS/drones etc etc

Im curious to see what everyone here says is the future of this up and coming industry. I think there are alot of applications that are yet to be utilized (crop dusting comes to mind). But as for having a UAV airliner i just dont see that happening as it defeats the point of a UAV, namely not having to have the systems to support a human being.
If you are wondering I ask because I just turned in my application at general atomics and am quite hopeful on the prospect

New Neighbor. Crazy cool UAV.

I have mixed views on the whole UAV thing. As a private pilot, I don't want to share airspace with pilot-less vehicles. Some of the small ones are getting to speeds and altitudes that can be an issue. That being said, they can be very useful in the right situations. Also, a lot of the companies you see showing off their "latest and greatest" all over the web are not the main players in this industry. I have a close friend that works as a pilot / composites specialist for one under the radar company that has sold close to a thousand units to various clients around the world. Their capabilities are amazing. From loitering around at 60k feet, delivering some unreal small weapons platforms, to active camo.

OP; I would say the transition from up and coming has passed; UAVs have been in deployments for the last decade plus now. The phase they're entering now is mass acceptance. If the country was stronger economically you'd probably see them around more and more FAA guidance on them. There's tons on interest from PD's wanting them in lieu of helo's that eat fuel.

MX304; actually very few FAA certified UAVs use commercial airspace or even travel over heavily populated areas (for private pilots). They're usually confined to border regions in the US for border patrol work (altitude & population density) or NASA's 'Altus' (First official FAA certified GA UAV) doing fire / climate surveys.

The saving grace with not having a pilot to notice others flying would be the constant radio contact with ATC through transient space and rotating crews that helps to eliminate fatigue errors. Mid-air collisions aren't what UAVs make headlines for; its the landings.

I used work for GA

Originally Posted by Built4Sin

OP; I would say the transition from up and coming has passed; UAVs have been in deployments for the last decade plus now. The phase they're entering now is mass acceptance. If the country was stronger economically you'd probably see them around more and more FAA guidance on them. There's tons on interest from PD's wanting them in lieu of helo's that eat fuel.

MX304; actually very few FAA certified UAVs use commercial airspace or even travel over heavily populated areas (for private pilots). They're usually confined to border regions in the US for border patrol work (altitude & population density) or NASA's 'Altus' (First official FAA certified GA UAV) doing fire / climate surveys.

The saving grace with not having a pilot to notice others flying would be the constant radio contact with ATC through transient space and rotating crews that helps to eliminate fatigue errors. Mid-air collisions aren't what UAVs make headlines for; its the landings.

I used work for GA

I agree they don't pose much of a threat now, but once the FAA figures out how they are going to license them, that's when I feel it will become an issue. There has already been one very close call between a UAV being operated by police and a traffic helicopter.

^ Agreed

Look up UCAS AND EUROHAWK AND FIRESCOUT

Agree with all and this could turn into a very bad situation I believe. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out with the FAA.