DronesFAA approves testing, developing standards for commercial use of drones

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) yesterday (Monday) has authorized test sites for UAVs. The FAA has selected six institutions to run the tests and operate the test sites:

• The University of Alaska will test UAVs in seven different locations, from Hawaii to Oregon, with varying climates
• Griffiss International Airport in central New York State will test how to integrate drones into the congested north-east airspace
• North Dakota Department of Commerce will test the human impact of drones and also how the aircraft cope in temperate climates
• The state of Nevada will concentrate on standards for air traffic and drone operators
• Texas A&M University plans to develop safety requirements for drones and testing for airworthiness
• Virginia Tech University will research operational and technical areas of risk for drones

The New York Times reports that the test sites are part of a program to develop safety and operational rules for drones by the end of 2015, as mandated by Congress.

The FAA has reported that integrating drones into the nation’s airspace will be accomplished gradually. FAA administrator Michael Huerta has said safety would be the main priority as the agency begins to issue private and commercial permits to operate drones.

The BBC reports  that the FAA’s decision followed a 10-month review process involving twenty-four states. In making its final decisions, the FAA considered geography, climate, the location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, aviation experience, and risk.

Experts anticipate an exponential growth of drone use in the agriculture and law enforcement sectors. Police and security services could use drones for crowd control, crime scene investigation, and search and rescue missions. A police department may spend hundreds of dollars per hour to deploy a helicopter or could spend as little as $25 per hour to use a drone. Farmers could use drones to spray crops or survey livestock.

According to the FAA, about 7,500 drones could be operating in U.S. airspace within five years of legalizing commercial and private drone permits. States with permission to operate test sites are predicting the development of a major drone industry, but privacy groups are concerned. The American Civil Liberties Union has said that allowing drones to operate in U.S. airspace would ensure that “our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded and scrutinized by the authorities.”

Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) considers the announcement a “wonderful news for Nevada that creates a huge opportunity for our economy.” The New York Times reports that the FAA is requiring test site operators to publish privacy policies detailing how data gathered from test missions will be used, how long data will be retained, among other steps.

The Teal Group conducted an industry-commissioned study which predicted that more than 70,000 jobs would be created in the first three years after Congress approves drone use in U.S. skies. The study also predicted a global commercial drone market valued at $89 billion in the next decade.