CEO DATELINE - Drone groups hail proposed rules as ‘good first step'
CEO DATELINE - Drone groups hail proposed rules as ‘good first step'
- February 17, 2015 |
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Walt Williams
Associations also have worries about new restrictions
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The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed new rules that would open the skies to the legal use of small drones—a move associations representing the industry say is a good start.
The rules announced Sunday would allow people to fly drones up to 55 pounds in weight as high as 500 feet, but only if the operators are at least 17 years old and have obtained an operating certificate. Currently drones exist in a legal quagmire with no clear rules governing their use. http://lat.ms/1FWWFph
The rules wouldn't permit companies like Amazon.com to deliver packages to customers via drone. Still, groups that represent both drone makers and users hailed FAA's actions as an important step in legalizing the technology.
"This proposed rule is a critical milestone in the (unmanned aircraft system) integration process, and one that is long overdue. UAS technology has largely remained grounded while many prospective users wait for the regulatory framework to catch up," said Brian Wynne, CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. "This is a good first step in an evolutionary process that brings us closer to realizing the many societal and economic benefits of UAS technology." http://bit.ly/1JngrQe
The Small UAV Coalition also praised the rules but at the same time raised several concerns, including proposals to limit small drone use to daylight hours and not allow drones to fly above 500 feet. http://bit.ly/1E1F6VV
The National Association of Realtors was more enthusiastic about FAA's plans. The agency had previously clamped down on the use of drones to create videos advertising property for sale. The new rules would tear down that restriction.
"The proposed rules announced today for the commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles are good news for property owners and Realtors who desire to embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance the process of buying and selling real estate with images gathered by unmanned aerial vehicles," NAR Board President Chris Polychron said.http://bit.ly/1BiZ0Mg