First FAA-Authorized Drone Takes Off

Last week the Federal Aviation Administration announced it had granted permission to oil company BP and drone manufacturer Aerovironment to fly a drone, the Puma AE, over the North Slope of Alaska. This approval is the first step the FAA has taken toward meeting the the 2015 deadline mandated by Congress. The agency has until then to regulate commercial drones' use of airspace over land and water to guard against their interference with other aircraft.
A word to companies hoping to use new high tech drones in commercial ventures: Don't get your hopes up for a speedy approval. The FAA relied on the military's experience with  this specific drone platform.  Since it had already been approved by the Department of Defense, the FAA waived its own airworthiness requirements in approving the Puma AE, a hand-launched 4-1/2 lb unmanned air vehicle (UAV)  with a wing span of 9 feet

Specifics

 The new regulations limit the 4-1/2 lb Puma AE to flying

• at an altitude of 200- 400 feet above ground 
• only in daylight hours 
• when visibility remains at a minimum of 3 miles
• within sight the remote pilot
• only after air traffic control has been notified.

The battery- powered drone has a maximum speed of 45 mph and can go 3-1/2 hours between charges.
BP announced that it will be used to fly aerial surveys of their North Slope pipelines, roads, and equipment, for the purpose of

• 3D road mapping
• pipeline inspections
• volume analysis of PB gravel pits
• aiding in search and rescue operations
• target maintenance needs.

Its maiden flight took place Sunday over Prudhoe Bay, the largest American oilfield.

Present Drone Use.

Drones are already inhabiting the airspace. The FAA has been granting case-by-case certificates of authorization  to police and fire departments to insure public safety and to several academic entities for the purpose of  carrying out research, but it has been coming down hard on unauthorized usage. It is currently engaged in upholding a $10,000 fine it levied against a commercial pilot who is challenging it with the National Transportation Safety Board.

 Aerial and Production companies doing work for the TV and movie industry have been among those seeking regulatory exemptions and the Motion Picture Association of America has facilitated petitions on behalf of its membership. According to USA Today, an unauthorized drone was used in making the film Wolf of Wall Street.

The Rush is On

As the drone industry chomps at the bit, eyeing myriad opportunities to get the UAVs in circulation of jobs deemed too boring or dangerous for humans, Nevada will host the next round of mandated research sites where regulators will continue to develop uniform procedures to determine

•  the qualifications of remote pilots
•  the safety of particular drones, 
• the drones capability to  sense and avoid  other aircraft, and, should contact be lost with the pilot, land itself.

Judging by his comments on the BP/Aerovironment approval,  Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx seems to be ready too: "These surveys on Alaska's North Slope are another step toward broader commercial use of unmanned aircraft. The technology is quickly changing and the opportunities are growing."

IP technology is keeping pace, and when drones are part of the airspace, IP camera systems will be part of the drones. Meanwhile if you're interested in IP cameras for any application, Kintronics is the place to turn to. Call 914-944-3425 to speak to a sales engineer, or if you prefer,  fill out an information request form.