PROFILE
FROM Jack Nicas
How High Will They Fly? A Peek at New Drone Rules While an industry has been growing behind the development of unmanned drones, the Federal Aviation Administration has been drawing up rules for what’s already “the busiest, most complex airspace system in the world.” After six years, its preliminary work is expected soon, but elements are beginning to leak out. The industry is not happy. One advocate for drone makers and innovators — including Google and Amazon — says new rules leaked from the FAA are, “so divorced from the technology and the aspirations of this industry…that we’re going to see a loud rejection.” That’s according to Jack Nicas, who covers aviation for the Wall Street Journal .
Big Business Is Ready for Drones, but What about the Feds? The US leads the world in producing unmanned aircraft, or drones. In other countries, drones are already being used for business. But the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to formulate regulations for commercial purposes in the US. The commercial use of unmanned drones will transform American industry. But, even though the technology is developing at warp speed, the FAA has been slow to issue regulations. Now, British Petroleum has received the first authorization to fly drones over land in the United States. What does such practice mean for privacy and air safety? Is it time to speed up—or slow down?
Big Business Is Ready for Drones, but What about the Feds? The US leads the world in producing unmanned aircraft, or drones. In other countries, drones are already being used for business. But the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to formulate regulations for commercial purposes in the US. The commercial use of unmanned drones will transform American industry. But, even though the technology is developing at warp speed, the FAA has been slow to issue regulations. Now, British Petroleum has received the first authorization to fly drones over land in the United States. What does such practice mean for privacy and air safety? Is it time to speed up—or slow down?
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