The FAA says after an operator passes the test, they need to complete an FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application to receive a remote pilot certificate.
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Huerta said FAA “estimates there could be as many as 600,000 unmanned aircraft used commercially during the first year after this rule is implemented”, and said the agency wants to enable commercial UAV operations as long as those operations can be conducted safely.
“Over the next 10 years, commercial unmanned aircraft systems could be generate more than $82 billion or the U.S. economy, and by 2025 could be supporting 100,000 new jobs”, said Anthony Foxx, U.S. secretary of Transportation.
All commercial drone users will also have a background check performed. The agency estimates 600-thousand commercial drones will be flying in the US within the year.
Commercial operators initially complained that the new rules would be too rigid.
The new rules simplify the process of flying legally.
The unit may not weigh more than 55 pounds.
Limit speed to no more than 100 miles per hour.
The FAA is now working on new rules that eventually will allow drone flights over people and beyond an operator’s line of sight, but are also have to hammer out privacy safeguards.
He said that’s probably because drones are simpler to operate than full-size aircraft. Any business with more “ambitious or capital-intensive plans”-like the still-but-a-dream Tacocopter-will likely run afoul of the FAA’s light of sight rule and would need a special waiver, the Times reports”.
Some aviation groups, such as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), argue that the rule should raise the bar for safety, requiring all commercial UAS operators to obtain a regular pilot’s license.
Huerta said the FAA is already working to release a rule by the end of this year that will permit drone flights over crowds. The new rules don’t apply to people who are flying drones for recreational purposes.
“This is going to open up the opportunity for a lot more companies and individuals to purchase a drone, so we’ll be able to sell more product”, said Rimanelli, 43.
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Under the rule, known as Part 107, FAA-approved testing centers can now start administering aeronautical knowledge tests required for drone operators.
