FAA Could Allow Commercial Drone Use In US

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- New technology may soon be taking to the skies. The FAA has released proposed requirements that could allow commercial drone use in the US.

Meghan McCorkell has more on the new proposal.

Right now, just a handful of companies have waivers to operate drones here in the US. The regulations could open up the skies to many more.

New rules could clear the way for drones to inspect infrastructure, help in search and rescue operations and take aerial photographs---and even more.

The regulations proposed by the FAA would allow commercial drones weighing under 55 pounds to be flown up to 100 miles an hour during daylight hours. The operator must be at least 17 and have an unmanned aircraft operation certificate.

Keith Kaplan, president of the Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle System Association, lobbied the White House for the new rules.

"So this rule making is very important because it sets up standards, just like with a manned aircraft where you follow certain procedures so you eliminate human error," Kaplan said.

Researchers at the University of Maryland worked with the FAA on how to safely introduce drones to the skies.

"We can leverage all of that history and then really make the system a bit more reliable and safe for flying in the national airspace," said Dr. Darryll Pines, University of Maryland.

The proposed regulations would also require operators to keep drones within eyesight at all times. That could derail Amazon's plans to deliver packages using drones in its new Prime Air service. The company has indicated it might take Prime Air overseas.

It could take two to three years for the final regulations on drones to be approved.

Trade groups say integrating drones to the US skies could result in 70,000 new jobs.