Before the new rules went into effect Monday, Action News Jax had to file what’s called a NOTAM, or Notice to Airman, before going in the air, but now the FAA has done away with that requirement, allowing drones to take flight at any time.
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Monday’s new rules govern the commercial operation of drones and spell out a series of steps an operator must comply with including passing a written test administered by the F.A.A.
According to the FAA’s new law, drones may not fly higher than 400 feet or at night.
Schools across the country started offering drone regulation and safety courses in 2015, many of which were planned based on the premise that the FAA would meet an earlier deadline. Drones can be used by farmers to monitor fields, by telecom companies to inspect cellphone towers, and by media outlets to videotape news events – often with greater ease and lower cost than using helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.
“It ensures that a burden on our industry and our department is relieved”, said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
Garland said his last two drone training classes have been at capacity with people wanting to become certified drone operators.
Many are also wondering how the FAA will handle an expected flood of requests for expanded uses of drones.
Which doesn’t come as a surprise to Tim Kennedy who works at Who’s Hobby Shop in Rapid City.
The FAA regulations say operators will no longer need to get a pilot’s traditional pilots license, which is expensive and time-consuming.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, an industry group, forecasts that the unmanned aircraft industry will create more than 100,000 jobs and drive $82 billion in economic impact over a decade.
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To put it plainly, Commercial Drone Alliance spokeswoman Lisa Ellman says, “For the first time ever commercial drones will be broadly authorized here in the U.S”. These companies can apply for special testing waivers to allow them to go beyond the normal rules. Drones are also prohibited to be heavier than 55 pounds (25kg), and all unmanned aircraft must be registered.
