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An Eye In The Sky: Drones In Vermont

University of Vermont
UVM's Spatial Analysis Laboratory deployed a drone to assist first responders in assessing the Amtrak derailment in Northfield on Oct. 5, 2015.

When an Amtrak train derailed in Vermont in early October, first responders relied on a drone to produce mapping-grade images for the accident investigation. That's one example of the powerful benefits that drones can provide, their operators say.

The generic term 'drone' has been applied to everything from pilot-less military planes to hobbyist quad-copters.  Operators of commercial unmanned aerial systems says drones can be used in diverse ways -- from assessing natural disasters to monitoring traffic patterns to measuring heat loss from buildings. But they say antiquated regulation is ill-prepared to handle new technological, safety and privacy questions of drones. We look at these questions with our guest Jon Budreski of AirShark, the first commercial drone operator in Vermont, and Jarlath O'Neil-Dunne, of UVM's Spatial Analysis Laboratory. Also in the discussion, Allen Gilbert of the Vermont ACLU explains the limits his organization wants to see on police use of drones.

Also on the program, Lisa Lynn, editor and co-publisher of VT Ski+Ride, points us to skiing and snowboarding deals that could have you on mountains around the state, country or the world.

Broadcast live on Thurs., Oct. 15, 2015 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Patti is an integral part of VPR's news effort and part of the team that created Vermont Edition. As executive producer, Patti supervises the team that puts Vermont Edition on the air every day, working with producers to select and research show ideas, select guests and develop the sound and tone of the program.
Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
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