FAA clears the way for commercial drone use

Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Chris Beerman operates his DJI Matrice UAS over a field. Submitted photo

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A recent decision by the Federal Aviation Administration may result in local residents seeing more unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, zipping across the skies above Vernon County.

"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 U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a June 21 press release. "We look forward to working with the aviation community to support innovation, while maintaining our standards as the safest and most complex airspace in the world."

What began as toys a few years ago, contemporary UASs have developed into commercially viable tools. Some of the more advanced drones feature collision avoidance, global position system tracking, and high-resolution video cameras. Some, like the DJI Phantom 4, can return to the point where they were launched if they lose the radio connection with their controller.

Locally, UASs are already being put to use.

Vernon County Emergency Management just took delivery of their first UAS, which can be used for damage assessment following severe weather, real time video of man-made disasters, or searching for missing persons.

Cody Caflin and Chris Beerman of Aerial Agronomics have been operating under a section 333 exemption for over a year, which has allowed them to fly commercially for local agricultural customers.

Caflin said the sensor on their UAS allows them to perform a variety of jobs that were once time consuming and tedious. Caflin's UAS can scout 100 percent of a crop field in an hour, where as scouting the same field on foot would take several hours with a 1-2 percent coverage. His business, Aerial Agronomics, can also record 3D images of rock piles and then calculating the density of the rock, determine how many tons of rock are in the pile.

"Once I fly for someone and they see the difference it can make, its like turning on a light bulb," Caflin said. "This guy can save me money."

At this year's Vernon County Youth Fair, a drone hovered over the arena and recorded Friday night's steer riding.

According to the FAA's June 21, press release, the new rules set to take effect in August will govern commercial use of drones weighing less than 55 pounds.

"With this new rule, we are taking a careful and deliberate approach that balances the need to deploy this new technology with the FAA's mission to protect public safety," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in the June 21, press release. "But this is just our first step. We're already working on additional rules that will expand the range of operations."

The rules, called Part 107, have certain limits to which UAS pilots must adhere. The most notable are restrictions on flying at night and above people. Operators can however, apply for exemptions.

Amazon.com Inc. has recently made headlines announcing their intention to offer delivery by UAS service. This will have to wait however, as current FAA regulations require a human pilot have a direct line of sight with the UAS at all times.

Commercial drone pilots will have to be at least 16 years old, pass a FAA knowledge test and pass a Transportation Safety Administration background check.

UASs used under Part 107 for commercial work are not subject to FAA airworthy standards that other aircraft are, but must be inspected by the pilot prior to each use. Pilots must also report crashes that result in serious injuries.

Previously, commercial UAS pilots were required to have a regular FAA pilot's license or operate under a Section 333 exemption. There was no license just for UASs.

The new rule has no impact on recreational drone pilots, however they still have to register drones over 0.55 pounds.

Other restrictions on drones include limits on operating close to airports. Further restrictions can be employed by the FAA as demonstrated by a temporary flight restriction around the Republican and Democratic national conventions. Unauthorized aircraft and drones were prohibited from operating within a 30-mile radius of the event location.

The FAA noted the new regulation does not address privacy issues that have arisen from drone use around the country. According to the press release, the FAA plans to include privacy in the curriculum for commercial drone pilots but recommends pilots further check with state and local authorities on privacy laws.

"I look at it like trespassing," Caflin said regarding flying over other people's property. Unlike a traditional fixed wing airplane or helicopter, Caflin's UAS never needs to leave the field it was hired to evaluate and he does not operate in or near town.

Caflin said they have not had any complaints or concerns about privacy issues but he can see where that may be a more significant issue near towns. He said people that have stopped are more curious than concerned.

All drones over 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA and clearly marked with a unique identification number.

More information can be found on the FAA's website at www.faa.gov.

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