AUVS-Australia News

We like to keep our members up to date with what is happening here in Australia, in the Asia Pacific Region and internationally. Below you will find links and short news items with a focus on science and civil applications. We endeavour to keep this up to date, so watch this space! 

Newsletters


As well as the regular news pieces below, AUVS-Australia members can now access previous issues of the AUVS-Australia Industry Update Newsletter.

Draft Qualification for Remote Pilots Released for Comment

19 March 2012 — The Transport & Logistics Industry Skills Council of Australia, in conjunction with AUVS-A, CASA and members of the UAS industry, have been working to develop a Certificate III qualification for Remote Pilots. The qualification covers the operation of remotely piloted aircraft under 400ft, outside of controlled airspace, away from populous areas and within visual line of sight. A draft of the qualification is now available for broader industry comment:

http://tlisc.org.au/training-packages/aviation-training/aviation-for-comment/

The draft training package can be downloaded directly as a zip file here:

http://tlisc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/RPA-Remote-Pilot-Qual-Units-PDF.zip

Mining Giant Trials Autonomous Mining Trucks

7 March 2012 — Matt Chambers from The Australian provides a feature article on the Rio Tinto's trial of autonomous mining trucks. The article highlights the mining industry as an increasing user of autonomous vehicle systems. The full article can be viewed online at:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/rise-of-the-machines/story-e6frg6z6-1226291014017

UAV Used in Survey of Litter on South Australian Beaches

25 Feb 2012 — Miles Kemp from The Advertiser describes how CSIRO scientist Dr Denise Hardesty and her team are using small multi-rotor UAVs to study the litter washed up on South Australian beaches. The full article can be viewed online at:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/eye-in-sky-filming-our-rubbish-shame/story-e6frfro0-1226280052411#ixzz1nJTfV0mf

Dr Denise Hardesty - Photo by: Tricia Watkinson
Photo: Tricia Watkinson.

UAV Outback Challenge -  Airborne Delivery Challenge Registration Open

8 February 2012 — The UAV Outback Challenge Organising Committee have released this year's rules for the high school student Airborne Delivery Challenge Competition. The bar is raised even higher this year with a new and exciting "Search Phase" designed to challenge students and enthral spectators! Registration for the event closes on the 18th of July 2012. To find out more, visit the UAV Challenge website:

http://www.uavoutbackchallenge.com.au

Dickson College Outback Rescue Challenge Team Featured on ABC

6 February 2012 — ABC Reporter Jim Trail provides a feature on the Dickson College UAV Outback Rescue Challenge Team. The article and video can be viewed online at:

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2012/02/07/3425159.htm#uavOnABC  

Sea Shepherd Uses UAS to Track Whaling Fleet


26th Dec 11 - Sea Shepherd are trialling the use of a small fixed wing UAS to help track down Japanese whaling vessels in the Southern Ocean. More information here.

Sea Shepherd Media Release is available here:

http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2011/12/24/sea-shepherd-intercepts-the-japanese-whaling-fleet-with-drones-1299

Photo: Sea Shepherd   Photo: Sea Shepherd

Photos: Sea Shepherd: http://www.seashepherd.org

Insitu Pacific to Trial ScanEagle for Fisheries Queensland

12 December 2011 —  Insitu Pacific Ltd, in conjunction with the Queensland Government Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) will trial the use of the ScanEagleTM unmanned aircraft system to detect vessels illegally fishing in Queensland waters. The funded trial will begin in January. The trial highlights the benefits of UAS technology and its potential use in other applications such as the mapping of invasive weeds in far north Queensland, and flood and bush fire fronts. Full article can be viewed:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/unmanned-aircraft-to-soar-over-queensland-coast-20111212-1oq10.html   

2011 AUVS-A Annual General Meeting

16 November 2011 — The AUVS-A Annual General Meeting will be held on the 2nd of December 2011 in Brisbane. 

Time:
1200-1600 AEST
Reception following

Venue:
Level 26, 111 George St, Brisbane

Nominations:
Members can nominate for the Board and Office Positions using the attached form. Forms must be sent electronically to Peggy MacTavish and received by midnight November 18th, 2011. Please nominate agenda items to Peggy MacTavish by the same date.

Information Flyer:
Available for download here.

CASA Director Identifies Regulations for Unmanned Aircraft as a Short-term Priority

04 November 2011 — CASA Safety Director Mr John McCormick identified regulations for pilotless aircraft as an area needing attention in the short-term. 

This statement is consistent with the recent announcement by CASA of a review of regulations and guidance material relating to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - Project OS 11/20. Draft Advisory Circulars relating to Training and Licensing, Operations, Manufacturing and Initial Airworthiness, Maintenance and Continuing Airworthiness, and Safety Management are expected to be made available for public comment early 2012. AUVS-A is actively working with CASA to assist in the review through the Australian Aerospace Industry Forum and CASA Standards Consultative Committee. 

The full article, written by Steve Creedy and titled "Civil Aviation Safety Authority close on reform of riles" featured in The Australian on Friday 04th November 2011 can be viewed online at:
 Further information on the CASA review of regulations can be found on the CASA website:
Information on the current regulations relating to UAS can also be found on the CASA website:


Passing of Professor Rod Walker   

October 2011 — The international unmanned systems community is mourning the loss of one of its true pioneers, Professor Rod Walker  

Rod was the Director of the Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation (ARCAA), co-founder of the UAV Challenge, founding Board Member of AUVS-Australia, respected researcher, educator and passionate advocate for the civil unmanned aircraft systems industry.
 
It was Rod’s vision to see unmanned aircraft routinely benefit all Australians, through applications in search and rescue, bushfire fighting, delivery of freight, environmental and infrastructure management.

For more than a decade Rod led industry in addressing the many technical and regulatory challenges facing the realisation of his vision and with it a viable civil unmanned aircraft industry in Australia. His tireless work has established the foundations for the industry and has brought us one step closer to his vision.

The unmanned systems community will sorely miss Rod’s leadership, expertise, passion and most of all, his mateship. The AUVS-A Board offers its deepest condolences to Rod’s family, friends and colleagues.

Rod leaves behind legacies in his research and education, and a demonstration of excellence that all of us in the unmanned systems community should hope to aspire to.

We will miss you Rod.

The Courier Mail published an obituary on Monday 31st October 2011:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/obituary-rod-walker/story-fn6ck8la-1226180786034  

Rod’s friends and colleagues are exploring ways to ensure Rod’s achievements and contributions will be recognised for generations to come. We are currently establishing an educational award in Rod’s name. It will be an annual award to a final year student who demonstrates excellence in the pursuit of Rod's vision to see civil unmanned aircraft systems being used for the benefit of society. We have already received generous donations towards the establishment of the perpetual fund.


More information on the award can be found here. If you would like to help us reach our fundraising target, then please visit:

 http://www.arcaa.aero/about-arcaa/rodwalkerfund/ 

or contact AUVS-A Board Member: Mr Reece Clothier (r.clothier@qut.edu.au).


Research into How Honey Bees Fly Inspires Development of UAS   

15 Sep 11 — University of Queensland researchers, led by Prof. Mandyam Srinivasan are developing new unmanned aircraft navigation and guidance algorithms inspired by the humble honey bee. The research was covered in a story by ABC's Catalyst program titled "Honey Bee Aerobatics" on Thursday the 15th September 2011. See the full video here:

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3318902.htm  

Insitu Pacific ScanEagle Performing Whale Trials in Australia 


5th Sept 11 - Channel Seven news coverage of recent trials of unmanned aircraft to survey whale population. 

http://au.news.yahoo.com/video/queensland/watch/26519007

Unmanned Aircraft Demonstrated for Application in Australian Agriculture 

31 AUG 11 — AUVS-Australia representatives were on hand to support a demonstration of unmanned aircraft system capabilities for use in the agriculture industry. The successful demonstration was held at Marburg, west of Brisbane on the 31st August 2011 and showcased products from V-Tol Aerospace, Yamaha (Sky Division) and Air Robot. For further information on this event, please contact us. The full news story, including pictures from the event can be found:
http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/machinery-and-equipment/general/uavs-have-ag-appeal/2281696.aspx?storypage=0

Pictured below is AUVS-A Executive Director Peggy MacTavish with Mark D'Alterio from AirRobot.
 

UAS Trialled in Rural Fire Fighting


17th Aug 11 - Ripley Valley Rural Fire Brigade trial UAS for applications in bush fire management. More information can be found here.


Unmanned drones to patrol ACT skies

BY NOEL TOWELL

21 Jul, 2011 11:02 AM

ACT Policing is considering the use of unmanned drone aircraft in the skies above Canberra.

Chief Police Officer Roman Quaedvlieg said this morning that the drones could be used in pursuit situations to make the traditional police car chase redundant.

The Chief Police Officer said that the force was already looking at unmanned aircraft systems that were in use with overseas police forces and it was “absolutely” possible that police drones could be in the skies above the ACT within five years.

The police chief made his comments while defending the force’s car pursuit policy which had come under attack in recent days from the ACT Greens.

"What we're examining is the possibility of using unmanned aerial vehicles so we don't have to have vehicles in behind pursuing the vehicle," he told ABC radio.

“It's a reality in policing jurisdictions overseas.

“We've spoken to those jurisdictions, they've used them successfully and if we can find a capability that is sustainable we believe that we can deploy unmanned aerial vehicles for police pursuits.”

“We're exploring other technologies such as engine immobilisers.

“There's a whole range of technologies that will complement our systems and our practices and our guidelines." 
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