In an historic move, The United States Congress has recently directed the FAA to begin the integration into US National Airspace of small UAVs. Very small UAS are to be allowed access in as little as 90 days when used by Emergency Services, and models as large as 55 pounds will be granted access in just 27 months. The law sets a deadline of all UAS being integrated into the NAS in just over three years (by Sept. 30, 2015). The Silvertone Flamingo, a small in-production UAV airframe designed for use in the under 20kg class of mini UAVs fits very neatly inside this weight limit with some room to spare. The full Flamingo story is to be found on the following pages.

Silvertone was founded in 1958 and has since earned the title of Australia's premier Radio Control manufacturer. In addition Silvertone has been involved in the design and construction of RPV/UAV aircraft since 1974, supplying radios, RPVs or UAVs to such entities as The Australian Army, The Australian Weapons Research Establishment (WRE), CSIRO, De Haviland Aircraft, Royal Thai Air Force, USAF, Queensland University of Technology, Continental RPV (USA), Notre Dame University (USA) and various private operators in Australia and the USA. Silvertone's latest UAV, The Flamingo, is suitable for use as a UAV or RPV. The unique features of this aircraft provide the operator with an aircraft that is highly efficient aerodynamically, speedy, very easy to fly and of robust construction. It is in actual fact the ideal UAV ab-initio trainer. Add to these such features as a payload bay with a volume of 1,300cu/in, a quick change nosecone and payload pannier system, a variety of undercarriage and launch options and it is easy to see that this is a very unique UAV indeed. Supplied as an empty airframe as the preferred option in order to hold export costs and delivery time delays to a minimum. In this form the Flamingo has been approved as an airframe free of export controls to approved countries. However the Flamingo can be tailored to suit customers specifications with full avionics and camera fit if required. For the full Flamingo story please read on.