FAA proposes drone rules for businesses, hobbyists

By

Michael Hardy

People inspect a a remote control aircraft during a press conference by the Small UAV Coalition January 20, 2015 in Washington, DC. The group who advocates for mall remote controlled, frequently multi rotor, aircraft held the conference to democrat their technologies and speak about legal issues effecting the industry. AFP PHOTO/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a set of rules for commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles. If the proposal should become final, operators of non-government UAVs would have a set of rules to follow, including:

  • class=”zn-bodyparagraph”>A UAV operator must be at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and get an FAA license;
  • class=”zn-bodyparagraph”>The operator must be able to see and avoid manned aircraft;
  • class=”zn-bodyparagraph”>Flights must be limited to 500 feet in altitude and 100 mph.
  • class=”zn-bodyparagraph”>The operator must not allow any object to be dropped from the UAV.

The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days. It has no power until it is made final. Meanwhile, UAS operators can learn about the current rules at the FAA’s recommended resource, knowbeforeyoufly.org.

About 

Michael Hardy