The long awaited FAA proposal for sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems) was released today. What many will misinterpret is that they can now go out, buy one, and take to the air commercially. That is far from the truth. There is still a 60 day public comment period to go through. If like the announcement last year that drew over 30,000 comments that period may be extended beyond 60 days just like before. Then all those comments will need to be reviewed, or at least the ones of substance. In all reality we may be looking at two years before rules are changed for sUAS intervention into NAS (National Air Space). In a perfect world maybe as little as six months. Safety is a key factor with the final rule making. For this sUAS proposal the FAA seems to have hit the nail on the head for the most part. I still have 112 more pages to read of the 195 page proposal. Since I have my section 333 approved for real estate, I am intimately involved in the process. Many of the 33 conditions I have to follow today will be removed. But, for now compliance with those current conditions is the only way to I can conduct aerial video/photography with an sUAS. So, before anyone contemplates going out buying an sUAS and shooting aerial photography with it, remember today's release was just a proposal not the final rule change. A section 333 approval is the only current way to get in the air for now. It is a 120 day process. Mine took 177 days. For Tucson Realtors with clients who have a desire or need for aerial video/photography I graciously accept referrals.
Comments(5)