FAA requires ‘remote pilot certificate’ to fly drones

Flying drones in the US will now require a remote pilot certificate starting August 2016. Image INQUIRER.net

With the increased use of drones, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will soon require pilots of the unmanned aircraft to secure certificates starting August.

According to a report by Ars Technica, drone pilots, under the new operational rules,  should be at least be 16 years old or be supervised by an adult with a remote pilot certificate. Pilots should also maintain “visual line of sight” with the drone at all times, and flights should remain below 400 feet or within 400 feet of a structure. The rules also apply to personal or hobbyist use.

Lisa Ellman, a drone lawyer, said the implementation of the rules would broadly authorize drone use for commercial industry. This includes taking advantage of safety and efficiency benefits.

However, the FAA has yet to address questions on potential privacy violations or aerial trespassing–issues that remain unsolved under federal law. Alfred Bayle