UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air Mobility
UAV News Talk, formerly The UAV Digest, is your go-to source for drone, UAV, UAS, and eVTOL news. We cover the latest developments in drone regulations, pilot certification, emerging tech, advanced air mobility (AAM), and real-world use cases across industries. Whether you’re a drone pilot, developer, policy maker, or just an aviation enthusiast, you’ll find something in every episode to keep you informed and ahead of the curve. We talk about both commercial and military applications from all perspectives.
Episodes
Max and David reunite for UAV News Talk episode 434, bringing listeners a wide-ranging discussion on the latest UAV, eVTOL, and rotorcraft developments.
FAA Advisory Circular on Powered-Lift
They start with the FAA’s release of AC 21-17-4, the long-awaited certification guidance for powered-lift aircraft. Max explains how this 64-page document emphasizes performance-based outcomes rather than prescriptive design rules. Much of the co...
BVLOS rules, school safety drones, NASA’s Mars helicopters, and Michigan’s 40-mile drone research skyway take center stage in UAV News Talk episode 433, hosted by Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof. The discussion begins with the newly introduced LIFT Act—short for Leading Innovation in Flight Technology Act—proposed by Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia on July 24, 2025. The bill would compel the Department of Transportation to...
In Episode 432 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof explore the evolving role of drones in public events, law enforcement, and emergency response—highlighting both their growing utility and the risks of poor coordination. Titled "Drone Fireworks, Police UAVs, and a Black Hawk Crash in Texas," this episode covers breaking drone news from California and Texas, trends in UAV policing, and innovations in helicopter auton...
Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof dive into the future of drone delivery in Episode 431 of UAV News Talk. Max shares his firsthand experience receiving multiple packages via drone as part of a pilot program from Matternet, a Mountain View, California-based drone logistics company. After visiting Matternet’s headquarters and observing the behind-the-scenes operations, Max witnessed the packaging, pre-flight procedures, and live flig...
In episode 430 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof return from vacation with urgent news and safety concerns in the drone industry. The episode opens with a major headline: the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is not available in the United States. Although the drone boasts high-end specs—including a 6K camera and improved flight performance—it’s currently unavailable in the U.S. due to concerns about data security and alleged ties ...
Episode 429 marks a major milestone for the podcast formerly known as The UAV Digest, soon to be relaunched as UAV News Talk. Max Flight and David Vanderhoof return to the mic after a long hiatus to introduce new co-host Max Trescott, known for his work on the Aviation News Talk podcast and expertise in both fixed-wing and helicopter flying.
The episode opens with a nostalgic look back to 2013, when Max Flig...
If you’ve been a longtime listener, you know it’s been a while — actually, a couple of years — since our last episode. But the good news is: The UAV Digest is coming back!
Since we last released an episode, the world of drones, UAVs, and advanced air mobility has evolved dramatically. And with so many exciting developments in technology, regulations, and industry trends, we want to make sure that the new version of the show stays in...
Drone Safety Day is April 29, a drone that changes shape, jump-starting your car with a drone, Florida bans DJI from government agencies, decision-making for small UAVs, drones that work together without colliding, adding VTOL to a fixed-wing drone, agave farmers saving water, land a drone in Red Square.
UAV News
Drone Safety Day
Drone Safety Day is Saturday, April 29, 2023. The annual campaign is dedicated to educat...
uAvionix detects ADS-B spoofing, racing drones are delivering explosives, an aerial tanker that autonomously guides and controls multiple drones, self-flying F-16s that test loyal wingmen, the Condor heavy-lift UAV wins its first customer, a new mini light tactical UAS, and Archer Aviation and United Airlines plan air taxi service in Chicago.
UAV News
uAvionix Announces truSky ADS-B Spoofing Detection for SkyLine UAS BVL...
Alphabet’s Wing subsidiary wants a drone delivery network, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces consider using drones to intercept aircraft, DJI is reportedly dropping AeroScope, U.S. Senators want an assessment of DJI security risks, cardboard drones from Australia are going to Ukraine, the USAF has plans for 1,000 loyal wingmen drones, Zipline’s next-generation aircraft, and Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercept a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper.
Another personal eVTOL, cops flying BVLOS, military drones with facial recognition, a lethal drone designed in Australia, the Lilium Jet eVTOL, and moving air quietly.
UAV News
Is this one-seat flying saucer the future of flight?
ZEVA Aero designs and builds electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles. The company’s flagship product is the Argon, based on a pre-existing airframe. But their Zero is a p...
Ameriflight plans to purchase cargo drones from Natilus and Saberwing, a plan for autonomous wind turbine inspections and repair, the American Security Drone Act, an arrest made for flying a drone at Dublin airport, a new hydrogen-powered octocopter drone, and Green and Blue UAS.
UAV News
Ameriflight adds 35 heavy-duty cargo drones to wish list
Ameriflight is a regional cargo airline (Part 135) that operates 156...
A global drone market report, aircraft control with artificial intelligence, a slow start to Amazon drone deliveries, drones disrupt flight operations at Dublin Airport, a testing service for microgravity research.
UAV News
Chinese drone maker DJI is dominating the market – despite being blacklisted by the U.S.
A report by Drone Industry Insights says: the global drone market was $30.6 billion in 2022 and it is expec...
A large autonomous blended-wing cargo drone and a smaller electric cargo drone, the Eaglet takes flight, taser drones at public schools, the GAO recommends the FAA create a comprehensive strategy, the Dronut for inspections, two MQ-9 Reapers for a Dollar, and a BVLOS autonomous inspection solution.
UAV News
Drones will ‘push the boundaries of what is possible’ in air cargo
The Natilus Kona cargo drone ...
Toroidal Propellers offer a solution for multirotor noise, layoffs at Prime Air, Valkyrie drones for the US Marines, regulating advanced air mobility in Utah, mapping a radioactive environment with a collision-tolerant drone, and a cargo drone that can carry 100 pounds for 600 miles.
UAV News
Toroidal Propellers May Quietly Pave the Way to UAM Package Deliveries and More
An autonomous drone that collects environmental DNA, a robotic wing that measures flapping performance, a Wyoming bill to outlaw drone flights over prisons, flying drugs into the U.S. with drones, and an ex-drone manager sues Amazon.
UAV News
Special drone collects environmental DNA from trees
If you want to find out what creatures live in an area, you can observe them or you can collect the “environmental DNA” they ...
Using drones for weather prediction, tracking warehouse inventory with an autonomous drone, an FCC NPRM for the UAS communications spectrum, Walmart delivery drone statistics, underwater drones to detect ocean carbon, hardening the electric grid from aerial attacks, and cargo delivery to moving ships.
UAV News
Drones Make Weather Prediction Easier at the Poles
Researchers are using DJI Mavic 2 drones to measure Arcti...
A UAV tether for choppy seas, four advanced (and expensive) drones, drones changing the way buildings are designed, a drone (and rover) for simulated Martian missions, the Army’s short-range reconnaissance program with Skydio, an Apple patent for pairing UAVs and controllers, kites that take down drones, Ukraine drones that take down Russian drones.
UAV News
Navy engineers test new slack tether for launching quadcopter f...
European drone strategy 2.0, armed drones for Ukraine, drones used for poaching and other wildlife investigations, drone videos of three active volcanoes, dynamically assigning frequencies for UAS command and control, a survey of consumer attitudes on home drone delivery of goods and food, liquid hydrogen power, and the Dover AFB sUAS program.
UAV News
Drone Strategy 2.0: Creating a large-scale European drone market
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The latest Amazon Prime Air drone, XQ-58A Valkyrie tactical drones, bringing a drone on a cruise ship, a drone light show fail, and attacking a navy with uncrewed surface vessels.
UAV News
Amazon reveals the new design for Prime Air’s delivery drone—here’s your first look
Amazon has continued to develop its delivery drone. The new MK30 drone has increased range, expanded temperature tolerance, and the capability to f...
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