Commercial Drone Regulations Reportedly Poised For FAA Approval

Based on a leaked FAA document, Forbes, the NY Times and other news outlets today are are reporting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is about to approve favorable rules for the commercial use of drones, UAS or UAV. However, it should be noted that while this leaked document is dated for February 2015, it’s possible that it could be outdated or revised (or may be revised). Of particular interest with this reporting is that this important industry news story was broken by none other than a land surveyor, Steve Zeets, according to Forbes.

As reported, land surveyor Steve Zeets was looking online into a FAA exemption filed by his company when he discovered the accidentally released FAA economic analysis document concerning the soon to be released FAA commercial drone regulations. Before the document was eventually removed online, land surveyor Zeets was able to save a copy of the FAA economic analysis document to pdf.

The leaked FAA economic analysis suggest less burdensome rules may be implemented for commercial drone, or sUAS in FAA parlance, use. Additionally, the leaked document is reported to have found that commercial drone use will provide a significant benefit to society, economic benefits and will save lives.

If the leaked is correct, here is a list of expected commercial drone use rules:

• sUAS or Drones (or UAV) under 55-pounds
• Drones operated within line of sight
• Drones operated during daylight hours only
• Drones flown under 500 feet AGL
• Commercial drone pilots to take an FAA administered aerospace knowledge test, rather than get an expensive private pilots license
• Security check by the Transportation Safety Administration

It is additionally reported that the new commercial rules for these drones, UAS or UAV could be released as early as tomorrow.

To read the leaked FAA document, click here.