In the first episode of Weekly Wings Season 2, hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff explore key developments in the drone industry as the new year begins. They kick off with discussions on U.S. Army training operations in Romania using Skydio and Anduril drones for reconnaissance and the evolving role of American-made drones in defense operations - https://dronexl.co/2025/01/03/us-army-tests-drones-romania-anduril-skydio/

The conversation shifts to the unveiling of the Pivotal Helix EVTOL, a personal electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft priced at $190,000 and up. They examine its features, certifications, and implications for the future of personal air mobility - https://pivotal.aero/

Paul and Terry then review the capabilities of XCraft’s latest drone models, highlighting their American manufacturing focus and compliance with NDAA standards. They also cover a new proposed rulemaking by the Department of Commerce aiming to limit the use of Chinese-made drone components in the U.S. market for national security reasons - https://shopxcraft.net/ and https://dronelife.com/2025/01/03/commerce-department-issues-nprm-to-limit-use-of-chinese-made-drones-and-components/

The episode also explores real-world drone applications, including how Santa Fe Police recently used a drone to catch a fleeing suspect and how Severn Trent Water is leveraging DJI thermal drones to detect pipeline leaks remotely - https://www.police1.com/drones/video-n-m-police-nab-suspected-car-thief-within-minutes-after-deploying-drone

Closing the episode, the hosts reflect on a New Year’s Eve drone light show failure and compare the safety risks between drone displays and traditional fireworks - https://www.live5news.com/2025/01/01/falling-drones-injure-man-during-folly-beach-new-years-display/

Join Paul and Terry each episode as they dive into the latest trends and challenges in the drone and EVTOL industries.

In the final episode of 2024, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into a packed lineup of drone industry insights and future projections. Starting with a wave of mysterious drone sightings along the East Coast, we analyze public perceptions and regulatory challenges. The hosts also explore the emerging role of laser communication in drone systems, which promises to revolutionize resilient data transfer and navigation capabilities.

The discussion shifts to advancements in radar systems for drone detection, particularly those developed in Europe and deployed in Ukraine, raising questions about their potential applications in the U.S. Next, we examine the state of domestic drone battery manufacturing, including geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains and a new U.S. initiative, Family of Advanced Standard Batteries for Unmanned Systems (FASTBAT-U), aimed at bolstering battery innovation.

From drone delivery, we analyze Amazon’s MK30 program and a journalist's firsthand account of their Arizona hub, highlighting both the technology's promise and public skepticism. On a lighter note, we review Sky Elements' record-breaking drone light show, showcasing the marketing power of drone displays during the holiday season.

Looking ahead to 2025, we predict significant growth in drone delivery, battery technology, eVTOL developments, and counter-UAS systems, as the industry navigates new tariffs and global competition. Join us for this festive and forward-looking episode, wrapping up a transformative year for the drone industry.

Welcome to this week’s episode of Weekly Wings, your trusted source for all things drones! Hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff bring you a mix of expert insights, industry updates, and engaging banter. As the holiday season ramps up, Paul and Terry discuss plans to transition the podcast to a bi-weekly schedule. This change will allow for deeper dives into topics and richer discussions in the new year.

The two explore the current challenges facing DJI drones in the U.S., including the regulatory landscape that has impacted product imports during the previous months. Legislative updates focus on the FCC's planned evaluations of Chinese-manufactured drones, avoiding an outright ban but setting the stage for tighter scrutiny and the impact on U.S. drone manufacturers.

A deep dive into Russia’s use of FPV sleeper drones for ambush tactics includes the technological advancements enabling drones to lie in wait for extended periods before engaging targets.

Discover how NASA is collaborating with the FAA to roll out unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems, making drone deliveries a reality in Dallas-Fort Worth and setting a precedent for future operations nationwide.

The hosts speculate on the mysterious drone sightings reported across New Jersey, from UFO theories to potential government or private testing, all while keeping things lighthearted and humorous.

Get a glimpse of the recent drone displays, including SpaceX’s 12 Days of Christmas show in Texas and a record-breaking 8,000-drone performance in Japan that wowed audiences worldwide.

Celebrate DroneUp’s achievement of receiving a Part 135 UAS air carrier certificate, a significant step forward in expanding the drone delivery ecosystem and advancing commercial operations. From regulatory updates to breathtaking drone displays, this episode covers it all.

Tune in to stay informed and entertained, and don’t forget to subscribe to the DroneLife.com newsletter for daily industry updates!