Drone & Aerial Photography — 2026-05-15
DJI's SkyPixel 2026 contest results showcase the planet's most breathtaking aerial imagery, while the FCC's extended firmware waiver through 2029 gives professional drone operators critical operational breathing room. On the regulatory front, the FAA's long-awaited Section 2209 airspace designation NPRM opens a 60-day public comment window, marking a significant milestone for drone integration policy.
Drone & Aerial Photography — 2026-05-15
Gear News
DJI Wins NAB Show 2026 Awards for RS 5 and Osmo 360
At NAB Show 2026 in Las Vegas, DJI picked up multiple awards for two of its newest products: the RS 5 gimbal and the Osmo 360 camera. The awards cemented DJI's continued dominance in the professional filmmaking and content creation market. Coverage from DroneDJ noted the wins as highlights of one of the most important events for broadcasters and cinematographers.
Regulation Watch
FAA Drops Section 2209 NPRM — 60-Day Comment Window Now Open
After more than a decade of waiting, the FAA has finally released its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Section 2209 — the airspace designation component of federal drone policy. Published in the Federal Register on or around May 6, 2026, the rule opens a 60-day public comment period via Docket No. FAA-2026-4558 at regulations.gov. Comments can also be submitted by mail to Docket Operations at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, by hand delivery, or by fax to (202) 493-2251.
Importantly, Section 2209 governs airspace designation and sits alongside — rather than overlapping with — counter-UAS authority under the Safer Skies Act. Industry stakeholders now have a rare opportunity to shape the final rule.
FCC Extends Drone Firmware Waiver Through 2029
Professional drone operators got significant relief when the FCC extended its waiver allowing existing drone firmware updates through 2029 (DA 26-454). The extension was confirmed in coverage published May 14, 2026, by Extreme Aerial Productions. For operators flying DJI platforms and other drones potentially affected by ongoing FCC "covered list" proceedings, the waiver ensures continued access to manufacturer firmware and security updates for at least three more years.
Shot of the Week
DJI SkyPixel 2026: The Best Drone Photos on the Planet
DJI has announced the winners of its 11th Annual SkyPixel Photo and Video Contest, and the results are jaw-dropping. The contest ran from November 27, 2025 to March 10, 2026, attracting tens of thousands of entries from aerial photographers worldwide. DroneXL published its full coverage of the winners on May 12, 2026, calling the gallery a showcase of "what it means to see the world from above."
The winning images span sweeping landscape compositions, abstract geometric patterns visible only from altitude, and intimate wildlife encounters captured with telephoto lenses on high-end drone platforms. DroneXL noted that if you were "feeling reasonably good about your drone footage," a look at this year's SkyPixel winners would give serious perspective on the ceiling of the craft.
Technique highlight: Many of this year's top entries leveraged long focal lengths and high-altitude vantage points to compress foreground and background elements, creating surreal, painterly scenes that are impossible to replicate from ground level.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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