Ardupilot (Cube) Critical Service Bulletin 005

From the CubePilot website:

SB005: I2C Storm can cause inflight reboots, (all cube and Pixhawk hardware, including clones and derivatives)

Due to an issue with a bug in the I2C system for ArduCopter for 3.6.10 version and earlier and Arduplane before 4.0

Please ground any vehicles that have not BEEN updated to Arduplane 4.0 or 3.6.11 for Arducopter or later.

This issue has lead to aircraft failing mid flight, and the details can be found in the Ardupilot release notes for 3.6.11.

See full instructions at https://discuss.cubepilot.org/t/sb-0000005-i2c-storm-can-cause-inflight-reboots-all-cube-and-pixhawk-hardware-including-clones-and-derivatives/2419.

Chris Jackson appointed as Flight Standards Manager

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd (ASMS) is pleased to announce that Chris Jackson has been appointed in the newly-created position of Flight Standards Manager. This appointment recognises the outstanding leadership Chris has shown in unifying UAS flight testing standards across CAA-certified training organisations, as well as his contribution to establishing standards for flight tests at night.

As Flight Standards Manager, Chris has primary responsibility for setting and maintaining the standards for flight training and testing for ASMS’ UAS training activities. He will have oversight of our basic flight training, initial issue flight test, Part 102 Operational Competency Assessment, and Night Rating assessment.

ASMS Congratulates Northland Police

Members of New Zealand Police undergoing training.
Photo credit: Adam Kerr.

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd congratulates Northland Police on the successful deployment of a drone on operations. As described in the linked news story, the drone enabled Police to track the driver of a stolen car as he ran across paddocks. Officers were then directed to the man’s location and were able to apprehend and arrest him. Northland Police also intend to use drones search and rescue operations, mapping crime scenes, and gathering evidence at serious car crashes.

The pilot had recently completed training with ASMS and had been awarded our UAS Pilot Certificate. As part of the ASMS course, pilots from law enforcement agencies receive additional training on the interaction between the Civil Aviation Act 1990, the Civil Aviation Rules, and the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. ASMS is the only CAA-approved training provider that is able to provide this additional training.

NZ Herald article: Drone used by Northland police for the first time

Job Listing: Agricultural UAV Technical Operator

Closed
Pyka is seeking its first full time technical operator for a 250 kg fixed wing agricultural aircraft. In this role, you will be responsible for deploying the first ever commercialized large autonomous aircraft for agricultural operations. In addition to mission planning and chemical handling, you will work closely with our engineering team to identify and address areas for improvement in our system. Your feedback will be critical for defining the technical direction of our development and refining our service for our customers.

To find out more please read the attached job description.

Pyka comes to New Zealand

The Pyka Egret

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd (ASMS) is excited to welcome Pyka LLC to New Zealand. Pyka will be test flying their 'Egret 4' unmanned aircraft under a certification programme agreed with the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand. The Egret 4 has a wing span of 7.8m and maximum take-off weight of approximately 270kg, with 100kg being available for payload.

Once aircraft certification is achieved then Pyka intends to undertake commercial agricultural spray operations.

Simulated spray run (water only)

Our journey together began back in 2017 when we prepared Pyka's exposition for operation under New Zealand's Civil Aviation Rule Part 102. That journey has continued as we have provided regulatory advice, delivered pilot training and competency assessments, and will continue as we provide training for a UAV Agricultural Rating after aircraft certification and full Part 102 certification is achieved.

About Pyka
Based in Palo Alto, California, Pyka LLC (flypyka.com) is an autonomous electric airplane startup aiming to make agricultural chemical application fast, and precise, and easy – even over challenging terrain.

ASMS issues UAV Agricultural Rating

Warrick Funnell of AgDrone Ltd operates the DJI Agras MG-1S.
Source: NZ Herald.

Aviation Safety Management Systems Ltd (ASMS) congratulates Warrick Funnell of AgDrone Ltd as the first recipient of a UAV Agricultural Rating.

The UAV Agricultural Rating enables the holder to engage in the aerial application of agrichemicals. The organisation must hold Part 102 certification with a privilege allowing the aerial application of agrichemicals, and the pilots flying for that organisation must hold a UAV Agricultural Rating.

Warrick Funnell says “There was no approved training syllabus / programme for the supervised flying and instruction to gaining our 102 Certificate. ASMS then put together a syllabus and went through the process of CAA approval.

We are very pleased to have had the guiding hand of ASMS and would recommend them as the best source of dealing with all aspects of 102 accreditation.”

The UAV Agricultural Rating course starts with the candidate demonstrating their ability to prepare spray plans that meet all regulatory and local authority requirements. The course then moves to the field where the candidate commences agrichemical operations under the supervision of an experienced instructor.

Pre-requisites for the UAV Agricultural Rating course are an approved pilot qualification, a pilot chemical rating, and within the last 12 months having successfully passed a flight test on the make and model of UAV intended to be used for agrichemical application.

For more information on AgDrone Ltd see their website dronespraying.co.nz.

For more information on how we can assist with Part 102 certification and training for agrichemical application see our agrichemical application page or contact us by email.

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