Proposal Would Limit Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

摘要

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed regulations that would place limits on commercial use of airborne drones. It is a technology that has drawn interest from, but only a few permits to, surveyors and industry firms like Trimble. The proposal, announced Feb. 15, would apply to drones weighing less than 55 lb, restrict flights to daylight hours and require that operators keep the devices within their line of sight. Drones' maximum altitude would be set at 500 ft and their top speed would be 100 mph. Operators would be at least 17 years of age, would have to pass an aeronautical knowledge test and get an FAA certificate. FAA's plan doesn't cover "micro" drones, which weigh less than 4.4 lb; nor does it apply to model aircraft. The agency will take public comments for 60 days after it is published in the Federal Register. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) called FAA's plan "a positive first step." He added, "We need to properly balance safety, privacy and access while ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of aviation technology."