BY THE NUMBERS
$82 billion — Potential impact of unmanned craft on the U.S. economy in next decade
100,000 — Potential new jobs in U.S. in next decade
55 pounds — Size of unmanned craft mostly affected by new rules
16 — Minimum age to operate UAS under new rules
Unmatched coverage
Check out our videos created by Sky 7 at mydaytondailynews.com/data/videos/sky-7/
New rules for how small drones can operate commercially will go into effect by the end of the month, and some businesses and aviation enthusiasts think the change could spur economic development and some challenges at airports in the region.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s new regulations will be enacted on Aug. 29, and they set the foundation for how drones can be used commercially in industries like agriculture, emergency relief and aerial imaging.
The relaxed regulations, called Part 107, make it easier for businesses to utilize drones as long as they stay within a set of guidelines including: only daylight operation of drones that weigh 55 pounds or less, below 400 feet in the air at speeds of 100 mph or slower.
“People will be able to operate commercially. That is a positive because it opens up more commercial airspace,” said David Gallagher from the Ohio/Indiana Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center and Test Complex in Springfield.
Still, more drones in the air is a concern for some airports like the ones located in southern Montgomery County and Butler and Warren counties. Dennis Fisher, president and chief pilot of Rapid Aerial Imaging, said the concern is more hobbyists and commercial users “operating outside the regulations.”
“Non-commercial users don’t have as many restrictions,” he said. “Some moron is going to fly a drone near an airport and cause a collision.”
The result — of even a small drone hitting a plane — would be “catastrophic” to an aircraft taking off or landing, he said. George Bockerstette, manager of the Moraine Airpark, said drones that come near airports and don’t communicate with air traffic should be fined.
“It is dangerous for planes,” Bockerstette said.
Bockerstette said, however, most commercial drone operators flying now under the exemption have been respectful and communicative near the airports.
“You have to be cautious about it,” said Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Fisher said pilots and drone operators are still waiting to see how the rules evolve with time.
Across the U.S., thousands of companies have already been able to use drones by applying for a Section 333 exemption. The FAA has granted more than 7,100 such exemptions by the end of June and thousands of additional requests are in the pipeline.
The new rules mean it should be easier for businesses to avoid seeking an exemption.
The enactment of the new laws come on the heels of the fifth annual UAS Midwest conference, hosted in downtown Dayton at the convention center early this week. Industry leaders met to discuss the fast-paced industry and its impacts on the region.
During a panel about the commercial operations of drones, business leaders discussed how some industries are already utilizing drones for their companies.
Ramanathan Sugumaran, a manager of knowledge based solutions at John Deere, said they are already utilizing drones to fly over fields. The drones collect data for agricultural productivity, among other duties, Sugumaran said. As the population grows, production has to meet new demands, he said.
“Our company always looks at new, innovative products,” Sugumaran said. “Why is John Deere interested in drones? John Deere is not interested in drones. John Deere is interested in … the data coming from the drones.”
For many companies, drones are about productivity and innovation. Fisher said his company has used drones for mapping, videography, showcasing real estate, and even surveying and documenting rail and aviation accidents.
But flying a drone for commercial use requires passing a written test for a certification that covers the “majority of low-risk, commercial UAS flight operations,” according to the FAA. The test costs $150, and some local airports will administer the tests, including Moraine Airpark and Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport.
Bockerstette said eight people have already signed up for the test for Aug. 29 and Aug. 30, and he only expects that amount to increase.
“Local businesses will profit from this,” he said.
Tom Card, a test proctor at the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport in Springboro, said the airport only has a few people signed up for the first couple of days to take the test.
“They’re expecting a lot,” he said. “There’s sites all over the country. I think this is really good for the future, good for businesses, and it’ll get a lot of stuff done.”
Staff writer Matt Sanctis contributed to this report.
About the Author