The Federal Aviation Administration issued its long-awaited rule regarding the commercial use of small UAS on June 21, and while there were largely no surprises in the document it represents a critical step forward for small UAS (sUAS) businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to launch their ventures in the industry.
Some specifics laid out in the rule include:
- Drone operators must be at least 16 years old
- Operators are no longer required to have a commercial pilot’s license, they are required instead to possess a remote pilot certificate with a sUAS rating, or be supervised by someone with a certificate
- Operators are still required to keep aircraft within visual line of sight
- Aircraft may exceed altitude of 400 feet so long as they remain within 400 feet of a structure
For industry stakeholders such as Grand Sky, the rule opens the door to faster advancement and easier planning. Grand Sky executives were pleased to see the rule completed as it will allow them to more specifically prepare for businesses using sUAS, although as noted by many in the industry, the potential applications for sUAS are many.
The New York Times reported that the new rule will make it much easier for companies to use drones for myriad applications and in commentary highlighted North Dakota specifically as a opportune location for UAS businesses to advance.
While the possibilities are endless, one thing is for certain: When the new rule goes into effect in late August, Grand Sky will be ready and leading the way.
