FAA Grants Drone Exemptions

In another move to free up the airspace for commercial use of UAS the FAA grants drone exemptions to a Real Estate Agent, Douglas Trudeau of Tuscon, AZ and an Agricultural company, Advanced Aviation Solutions based in Spokane, Washington. Mr. Trudeau is using a DJI Phantom Vision 2 + to make real estate videos presumably of the properties he represents. Advanced Aviation Solutions is using their eBee AG UAS to do crop scouting for precision agriculture. This is another good step in the right direction before the administration issues the NPRM and regulations. Both of these business are exempted from an airworthiness certificate for their aircraft, however, the pilot is required to possess a private pilot certificate as well as a current third class medical certificate. In addition to the exemption both must apply for a certificate of authorization (COA) that will enable them to fly in the airspace they intend and to show they have taken the necessary steps for seeing and avoiding other commercial operations.