Since the FAA granted the first Section 333 Exemption on
September 25, 2014, potential commercial unmanned aircraft system
("UAS" or "drone") users have eagerly monitored
the agency's progress. Let's review the first 200-day
period of UAS Exemption grants, and look ahead to what the evolving
process might mean for businesses hoping to use drones in the next
few years. What do the numbers say about how companies want to
employ UAS?
Low-risk, controlled-environment commercial drone operation
applications typically go through an exemption process (known as a
Section 333 Exemption, named after the authorizing provision in the
FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012) to
become approved for use. On February 15, 2015, the FAA
released its small UAS ("sUAS") notice of proposed
rulemaking ("NPRM"), which would establish new rules
for the operation of drones under 55 pounds and make it somewhat
easier for businesses to operate drones. But until those rules
become final
