Key Words: what is a "drone?"
- Drone - a term used to describe unmanned aircraft, in use by the US Military since the 1940's to describe unmanned target planes. Now commonly used to describe any unmanned/remotely-piloted aircraft. While drones can be programmed to fly automatically, they still need operators and technicians to fly and service them.
- UAS - the aircraft, control system, launcher, and any other associated equipment
- SUAS - small unmanned aircraft system (aircraft under 55 lbs.)
Where we are (for more information see www.faa.gov/uas)
- 73,000+ commercial UAS pilots in the U.S (FAA, March 2018)
- 300,000+ UAS pilots needed by 2022 (FAA, March 2018)
- Most common uses include real estate photography, industrial inspection, and agricultural surveys
- Recreational flight is permitted as long as it doesn't endanger national airspace system (new rules coming soon)
Why use a drone?
- Drones can be used to do anything dull, dirty, dangerous; more safely and efficiently than a manned aircraft
- Dull - tedious, monotonous, time-consuming
- Dirty - risk to
pilot - Dangerous - risk to
pilot , aircraft, and people on the ground
- Current industry: mainly SUAS companies, expect growth in
USA up to ~$10 billion by 2020- Film - TV shows, movies, Super Bowl commercials, X Games, Winter Olympics
- First responders - search and rescue, accident investigation
- Aerial photography - make maps and photograph real estate properties
- Inspection - inspect antenna towers, bridges, construction sites, pipelines
- Agriculture - track
growth of crops and apply seeds and fertilizers - Research - collect samples of seawater, air, pollution, patrol wildlife areas
- Military - used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
- Future jobs: larger aircraft, higher altitudes
- Delivery - deliver packages, medical supplies, water
- Traffic - monitor traffic flows, highway and railway conditions
- Ranching - monitor herds, track animal health
Current Requirements for (Commercial) UAS Operators
- FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, with the following limitations:
- Aircraft must remain within visual line of sight and stay under 400 feet above ground level
- No night flights
- No flights over people
- No flights near airports with a control tower unless authorized
