How Do the New Drone Regulations Affect Your Business?
On August 29, 2016 new regulations went into effect from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) detailing how businesses can operate drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
The guidelines include:
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Requiring drone operators to pass a drone certification exam
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Not flying drones over 100 miles per hour and over 400 feet above the ground
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Not flying drones at night
Before this ruling, the FAA approved company requests on an individual basis to use drones. The new regulations allow for commercial use of small UAS, enabling commercial drone use in areas ranging from crop and utility inspection and aerial photography to research, education and rescue operations. Industry observers estimate that the commercial drone industry has the potential to bring $82 billion into the U.S. economy by 2025.
According to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, businesses can seek permission from the government to use UAS “outside the perimeters of what is included in the rule.” Google, CNN, and BNSF Railway are among the companies that have already received waivers to test delivery services, fly drones over people, and/or fly drones beyond the line of site of the operator, which all exceed the new regulations.
Click here to read a detailed summary of the new provisions. To learn more about flying a drone for work or business, click here to visit the FAA’s page on getting started.