If you have spent any time outdoors this summer, especially in areas near parks, hiking trails, or other scenic areas, you may have noticed a peculiar buzzing sound in the air around you. The popularity and use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones, is exploding across the U.S. as the cost of these machines decreases and the capabilities and features increase.
Both hobbyists and businesses are realizing the incredible potential these machines have to provide unparalleled footage, cheap delivery, and conduct numerous other functions, including surveillance, wildlife tracking, search and rescue, disaster response, crop monitoring, etc.
As the functionality and availability of these machines are forecasted to grow exponentially, the drone services industry is poised to become a massive business market for U.S. consumers. Existing businesses and visionary entrepreneurs who wish to be part of this new but expanding market need to be well informed of the shifting rules and regulations, both at the state and federal level, that govern the operation of these machines.
Existing regulations impose numerous operation restrictions, including vehicle registration, weight restrictions, operator TSA and FAA vetting and certifications, airspace class restrictions, maximum groundspeeds, maximum heights, etc.
If you wish to learn more about your responsibilities as a drone owner and operator, either for recreation or business, contact us to schedule a free consultation.