Aircraft
Tiny drones perform in indoor arena
As part of a concerted drive to increase the number of unmanned aircraft displays at the Farnborough show, organizers have installed a special netted area

As part of a concerted drive to increase the number of unmanned aircraft displays at the Farnborough show, organizers have installed a special netted area in Hall Three where exhibitors are flying small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). As it works with aviation authorities on long-term plans to fly larger unmanned aircraft at future shows, Farnborough International has imposed a maximum limit of 20 kg (44 pounds) for aircraft being demonstrated here.

Among the UASs on show this week are Yellowplane’s autonomous flying wing, which features an AttoPilot autopilot and can fly for up to two hours at speeds of up to 46 knots. The UK firm is also exhibiting its larger–nearly five-foot wingspan–Boomerang UAS in the outside flying displays.