As drones become a more common device, restrictions will be modified according to the needs of the market.
Currently, the use of drones is hampered due to the government's uncertainty about their development. There are a lot of questions to ask about drone usage. For example, what tech is truly necessary for recording or transporting material? What viewing/recording tech can be used without the tech overstepping a subject's privacy? How big can a drone get before it is too big for a suburb or a city?
While these questions are hard to answer, the Federal Aviation Administration is doing its best to provide a framework for drone developers. The FAA released a proposed series of regulations on Feb. 15 that would help control and make drones available for public use. However, the framework would also put a damper on certain commercial uses, the IP Watchdog reported.
The rules would significantly improve the standards of drones that weigh less than 55 pounds. The framework would also require users to register drone users separately from their drones. This is a significant improvement, since it wouldn't require the user to register as a pilot in order to operate the drone. Potential drone pilots would be required to be 17 years of age, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and get a UAS license from the FAA.
However, the framework would require drone pilots to keep them within eyesight, as well as banning smaller drones from flying over urban areas. While these bans likely won't affect amateur drone pilots, they do make it hard for companies like Amazon to use drones as a commercial delivery system.
According to the IP Watchdog, hobbyists and individual drone users are supportive of the new framework. However, companies who want to use drones effectively will have their work hindered.
The FAA is currently looking for public feedback in regard to the proposed framework of regulations. Americans will be able to comment on the framework from now until April 24.
