Tim Wright

Writer and photographer Tim Wright is a regular Air & Space contributor whose assignments have ranged from Africa and Asia to the Arctic.

Last March, during a flight from Beta Technologies’ test facility in Plattsburgh, New York, the all-electric ALIA 250 quietly crossed over Providence Island, Lake Champlain, and the state line to land in Burlington, Vermont.

How Far Away Is Your Air Taxi?

The new electric, vertical-lift designs might mean it’s closer than you think.

An artist’s conception of Dragonfly on the surface of Titan. The real article will not launch until 2026, and arrives at Titan’s Shangri-La dune sea eight years later, in 2034.

Dragonfly Is the First Aircraft Built for the Outer Solar System

NASA returns to Saturn’s largest moon with a rover that can fly.

Quadcopters are a new tool for drug smugglers. These “narcodrones” are easily purchased and can carry up to several pounds. If the drone is intercepted, the launch location may be revealed, but not the pilot’s identity.

How Many Drones Are Smuggling Drugs Across the U.S. Southern Border?

Answer: Nobody knows.

None

The Flying Farmhand

This agricultural drone requires no human supervision at all.

David Givens and Bob Chartrand, archeologists studying Smith's Field in Jamestown, Virginia, use this DJI Phantom 4 to get high-resolution images of the site.

Drones Help to Map Historic Jamestown

Archeologists at Virginia’s 17th-century settlement have new ways to study old things.

One of the drones intercepted following an attack on Russian bases.

When is a Drone Swarm Not a Swarm?

A recent attack on Russian bases was coordinated, but hardly an example of artificial intelligence.

None

Human Beats AI in a Drone Race, But Just Barely

In the long term, bet on the machine.

"I think it's watching me" is just one of the complaints Nikolas Kubli (not pictured) gets.

If Someone Has a Complaint About Drones, This FAA Inspector Hears About It

He knows whether a drone pilot has been naughty or nice, but he also keeps the cranks off their backs.

AT&T's Flying COW in action over Puerto Rico

Flying COW Helps Puerto Rico Get Its Phone Service Back

A drone-based “cell tower” provides stopgap connectivity to the storm-ravaged island.

Will this help or hurt? We'll find out...

Should Localities Decide on Drone Policy? Not Everyone Thinks So

A new Federal pilot program will give local jurisdictions more say on drone flights, but the rationale is unclear.

Skynet's King Air, C-GJBV, now has a footnote in history.

It Finally Happened: A Passenger Airplane Hit a Drone

Luckily, there was little damage.

A Beechcraft AT-6, dropping a 500-pound bomb during 2011 tests.

Thinking Smaller, the Air Force Learns a Thing or Two

After evaluating “light attack” aircraft, the military likes what it sees.

Joseph Cione shows a Coyote drone, soon to be dropped into a hurricane from the P-3 behind them.

Meet Coyote, the Latest (and Smallest) Hurricane Hunter

NOAA sends disposable drones deep into storms, where it's too dangerous for airplanes.

Helicopter pilots flying over cities have to be extra cautious, as the pilot of this UH-60 (photographed over New York in 2014) undoubtedly was.

Army Blackhawk Collides With Drone Over NYC

The first confirmed mid-air collision involving a U.S. drone.

Damage assessment from above is one of the jobs taken on by Tampa-based FLYMOTION.

By Pitching in to Help Storm Victims, Drones Earn New Respect

Could their role in recent hurricanes finally mean a regulatory turning point?

How the U.S. Air Force trains drone pilots. Not so different from a Playstation, is it?

Do Gamers Make Better Drone Operators Than Pilots?

Video gamers’ psychology might be better-suited to flying drones.

Marine Sgt. John P. Hawkings would like to introduce your drone to his Stinger surface-to-air missile

You’ve Been Warned: Keep Your Drones Away From Military Bases

It won’t be long before the first legal shoot-down of an unpiloted intruder.

Pilotless aircraft are already banned from some locations, and lately their software has come under scrutiny.

It’s Been a Bad Week for Chinese Drone Maker DJI

The world’s largest hobby UAV manufacturer takes a beating in the news.

No longer Army material: DJI's Inspire 1 drone.

U.S. Army Puts a Halt to Its Use of Chinese-Made DJI Drones

Security concerns lead to ban of a popular brand of UAV.

Ok, but try enforcing it.

Anti-Drone Technology Could Become a Billion-Dollar Business

Demand for drone countermeasures is growing rapidly.

Page 1 of 2