ERAU Releases First-Ever Drone Consumer Guide

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drone at the beach

Daytona Beach, FL - A research team at Embry-Riddle has written the first-ever comprehensive consumer guide to small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), otherwise known as drones, for novice users.

Professors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Worldwide Campus, who are considered experts in the UAS profession, teamed up with undergraduate students from the Worldwide and Daytona Beach campuses to conduct tests on 12 readily available drones. All of the tested aircraft cost less than $3,500, had electric motors with removable batteries, could carry or had built-in HD cameras, and weighed less than 7.5 lbs.

According to Dr. Brent Terwilliger, Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Worldwide Program Chair of the Master of Science in Unmanned Systems Degree in the College of Aeronautics, the guide contains measurements that are important to users, new and experienced, that indicates the suitability, performance, and cost-effectiveness of various drones that are widely available to the public.

"Our hope is that novices and experienced operators alike will use this free resource to examine critical features and capabilities inherent to the safe and responsible use of sUAS technology," said Terwilliger.

The team also prepared a detailed Operational Test Plan document, which is being shared with the public along with the consumer guide. Terwilliger said the Operational Test Plan document "includes critical safety assessments, observations, and strategies." The document includes everything the ERAU team used to formulate their plan and move forward as they began work on the consumer guide.

"We want new users to operate these aircraft safely and within the law," said Terwilliger. "It's why we also offer programs like free online classes, UAS workshops, and accessible sponsored research, plus actively promote industry public service campaigns..."

The Small Unmanned Aircraft System Consumer Guide can be found here.

To see the Operational Test Plan document, click here.

For information on Unmanned Sytems Degree Programs at Embry-Riddle's Worldwide Campus, click here.

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