Also: New AUVSI Jax Chapter, Switzerland Air Traffic Demo, KState Polytechnic, TopXGun

Facebook has abandoned its efforts to use a high-altitude solar-powered drone to relay internet connectivity to people living in remote areas without such service. Facebook began its efforts in 2014.

On its blog, the company said it developed an aircraft, known as Aquila, as well as other technologies to deliver wireless internet connectivity to remote areas. In 2016, one of its aircraft suffered a wing failure while attempting to land, which the NTSB attributed to strong winds. The flight was the first for the full-scale test aircraft. The company continued its development, and conducted additional successful test flight. The FAA has granted an exemption to Yamaha Motor Corp. to begin using its Fazer remotely piloted helicopter for select commercial agricultural spraying operations. The Fazer is Yamaha’s latest helicopter to receive FAA approval in the U.S., following the RMAX model, which is currently being operated in agricultural applications in California’s Napa Valley. Yamaha provides direct services for fungicide aerial application on wine grapes in Napa Valley and is now planning to introduce the Fazer into operation starting in June. If you’ve registered a commercial drone, the FAA wants to hear from you. On June 19, the FAA sent a questionnaire to everyone who has registered a commercial drone – more formally, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) – for anything but recreational or hobby use. Most of these owners fly their drones for commercial purposes, but the survey population also includes government departments and other users. Hobbyists are not included in this survey. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-Unmanned!!!

Airborne-Unmanned 07.03.18 is chock full of info in this Weekly News Episode, Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Brianne Cross, Christopher Odom, and Laura Hutson, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalist Tom Patton, this episode covers:

• Facebook Abandons Aquila Program 
• FAA Grants Exemption To Yamaha For Fazer Remotely Piloted Helicopter
• FAA Surveys Commercial Drone Operators
• AUVSI Launches Jacksonville Chapter
• Dozens Of Drones Fly Simultaneously In Switzerland In Air Traffic Demonstration
• KState Polytechnic Receives UAS BVLOS Waiver From The FAA
• TopXGun Enhances Flight Controllers With AirMap UTM Services

Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne-Unmanned" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, next week!

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