Those exemptions initially only permitted drones to be operated by people with a full pilot’s license, but that requirement was later rolled back to allow commercial drone flights by operators holding a sport or recreational pilot’s license. A report released Friday by Bard Colleges Center for the Study of the Drone in NY says 90 of the close encounters involved drones and commercial jets, the majority of which had the capacity to carry 50 people or more.
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The FAA has finally weighed in with new regulations for drone operators.
Previously, commercial drone users had to apply for special waivers to operate their craft, and authorities had approved thousands of these on a case-by-case basis. “I also expect that our established aviation schools, such as Middle Georgia State University’s School of Aviation, and other organizations will move quickly to add the necessary training classes and testing for this new certificate”. The drone must be lighter than 55 pounds; it must fly under 400 feet and have a maximum groundspeed of 100 mph; it can only fly during daytime and at least five miles away from airports.
The new rule doesn’t go into effect for another 60 days, but the reaction from industry and Capitol Hill was generally positive.
While the most viable uses of commercial drones have yet to be determined, so far they’re being put to work in fields such as photography, agriculture monitoring, real estate, data-gathering on wildlife, news reporting and security.
Under the FAA’s rules, drone operators will be allowed to fly commercial craft weighing less than 25 kilos during daylight hours, provided they can maintain a clear view of the drone at all times. The licensing specifically prohibits the drone from flying above any person other than the operator and a delivery recipient, meaning it would be as good as impossible to get deliveries to urban areas.
“We are part of a new era in aviation, and the potential for unmanned aircraft will make it safer and easier to do certain jobs, gather information, and deploy disaster relief”, said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Drone flights will be approved for agriculture, research and development, educational and academic use, powerline, pipeline and antenna inspections. “Right now, we have an actual pilot – someone who flies aircraft – to be the drone operator”.
The rules would still prevent delivery drones from flying across cities and suburbs clasping small packages.
The rules may still boost drone manufacturers such as SZ DJI Technology Co and PrecisionHawk.
Commercial craft, however, make up only a small part of the overall drone community.
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See the FAA’s summary of the rule here.
