RANCHING Business
New Drone Rules Take Effect N
EW REGULATIONS FROM THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINIS- tration (FAA) for routine non-recreational use of
small, unmanned aircraft (drones) went into effect in late August. Utilizing the devices to check out crop conditions
or hunt for missing livestock can be done without go- ing through a lot of red tape. Formally known as Part 107, the regulations require certifi cation of operators, although there is no need to get a commercial pilot’s license, as had been the case. The FAA says there is high interest in using the un-
manned aircraft systems (UAS). When the regulations went into effect, more than 3,000 people had already signed up for certifi cation as UAS operators. These in- clude many involved in agriculture, but also surveyors, engineering operations, wedding photographers and people in the entertainment industry. Certifi cation as a remote pilot requires passing an
FAA-administered test of aeronautical knowledge — similar to the written test for a driver’s license. Testing centers nationwide can now administer the Aeronauti- cal Knowledge Test as required under Part 107. After passing the test, you must complete an FAA Airman Certifi cate and/or Rating Application to receive your remote pilot certifi cate. Find the application at https://
iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx The new regulations generally apply to drones
weighing 55 pounds or less and require commercial operators to: • Keep the drone within sight at all times • Keep drones from fl ying over people not involved in their operation
• Limit drone operations to the hours between half an hour before sunrise and half an hour after sunset
• Limit speed to no more than 100 mph and the de- vices must be kept below 400 feet
74 The Cattleman November 2016 The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems
International (AUVSI) says the commercial drone in- dustry has the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs and generate more than $82 billion in economic activity over the next decade. Brian Wynne, AUVSI’s president and CEO, said the new regulations will help to bring this about. “The United States has been a pioneer in aviation
since the Wright brothers fi rst took to the skies more than 100 years ago, and throughout that period there have been many, many milestones,” Wynne said. “This is another signifi cant milestone. With the small UAS rule now in effect, the commercial UAS industry is cleared for takeoff.” Not everyone is happy with all of the regulations,
including ranchers and farmers. The limits on line-of- sight operations are especially problematic since many operations are large and acreage may not be contiguous. The FAA notes, however, that waivers can be granted to operations that can prove that the proposed fl ight plans will be conducted safely and not put the public at risk. Users must apply for these waivers at the online
portal at
faa.gov/UAS. There may be an initial run of applicants for op-
erator certifi cation by farmers. To fully benefi t from the technology, however, most will eventually utilize professional companies. “They’ll fi nd out that (operating a drone) is not
such an easy thing to do,” Wynne said. “Farmers are already about as busy as they can be and this would be adding another job.” Blair also pointed out that the current weight limit
for small drone usage is 55 pounds, which limits the applications available to ag users, often to just taking pictures and video. Expect more regulations as the technology changes.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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