Flying drones for business just got a whole lot easier thanks to new rules set into effect today by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The slew of new rules, known as Part 107, were announced in June and go into effect today. For those wanting to fly drones for business (think aerial photography, mapping, and inspection), there’s a simple process for doing so that includes filing for a commercial waiver.
What are the rules?
There are quite a few rules, so here goes. Drones must weigh less than 55 pounds while flying at altitudes no more than 400 feet at speeds no greater than 100 miles per hour. Pilots must keep a visual line-of-sight on their drones at all times, regardless of first-person view (FPV) technology. Drones can be flown during the day and can’t be flown over people not related to the flight. A list of these rules can be found here.
How can I fly commercially?
The FAA says you’ll need a remote pilot certificate to fly commercially, and there are two ways to get the certificate. Pilots (who are at least sixteen years of age) must demonstrate aeronautical know-how by passing a test at an FAA-approved testing center, or if a pilot already holds a Part 61 pilot certificate, complete a flight review and online training course. There’s vetting of course, so pilots will need to be cleared by the Transportation Security Admission.
You can visit your local FAA-approved testing center and they’ll administer the test. Once you’ve passed, you’ll need to complete a FAA Airman Certificate and Rating Application to receive your remote pilot certificate.
What if I don’t want to fly commercially?
Register your drone (given it’s between .55 and 55 pounds) with the FAA and follow the rules for recreational drone flying. You can register your drone here and view the rules here.
But I don’t have a drone yet?
We’ve got buyer’s guides featuring on best, highly-rated drones. If you’re a beginner, we’d recommend toying around with a Hubsan X4
That’s it?
Almost. For anyone looking to stretch the rules of drone flight, you’ll want to look into a 107 waiver. For drones that exceed the 55-pound capacity, you’ll need a 333 exemption.
A complete set of rules on drone flying (commercial and recreational) can be found on the FAA’s website.
Source: FAA Image: Andri Koolme/Flickr
The post Thanks To New FAA Rules, Drones Are Now Open For Business appeared first on Simplebotics.