United States DOT and FAA Finalize Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States has finally released its rules and regulations for the flight of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This set of rules has been anticipated by pilots and the public for several years and now provides clear guidance on how pilots can use drones commercially without violating FAA regulations. The rules are similar to the guidelines released earlier this year.

1. The UAV (drone) must be registered if it weighs a certain more than .5 pounds.
2. The pilot must fly within “line of site” of the UAV.
3. There is now a speed limit (100 mph) as well as altitude limit (400 feet).
4. No flying over people.
5. No flying after dark without special exemptions.

These regulations are a welcome turn of events for pilots, hobbyists, and the US public as they finally help define what should and should not be done for commercial drone flights in the US.

For more, check out the FAA’s press release.

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515