It's now been almost two months since Part 107, the Federal
Aviation Administration's (FAA) new rule for the first time
broadly authorizing commercial drone operations in the United
States, went into effect. The commercial drone industry has hailed the
rule as a critical step forward, and indeed it is. Drone operations
that comply with the rule's flight restrictions –
including generally traveling no higher than 400 feet, within
visual line of sight, away from people and during daytime hours
– can now benefit a range of industries in innovative
ways.
But the operational limitations of Part 107 are actually quite
strict; amongst other conditions, one must operate a drone within
visual line of sight, during daytime hours, and away from people.
Meanwhile, to take advantage of the safety and efficiency benefits
of drones, companies need to be able to fly in urban and suburban
environments, where people are. To inspect pipelines and railroads,
they need to be able to fly
