National Security & Defense

unhappycamper

(60,364 posts) Tue Jun 10, 2014, 09:29 AM Jun 2014

FAA grants first certificate for commercial drone operations over land

http://www.latimes.com/business/aerospace/la-fi-faa-bp-drone-20140609-story.html

AeroVironment's Puma AE is used by BP at Prudhoe Bay in Alaska.

FAA grants first certificate for commercial drone operations over land
W.J. Hennigan
June 10, 2014

Monrovia drone maker AeroVironment Inc. announced a contract that marks the first time unmanned aircraft will be performing routine commercial services over land in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

The company’s small drone, called Puma AE, is now scouring BP Exploration Inc.'s Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska.

Since Sunday, the drone has been flying above the largest oil field in North America using high-tech sensors to create 3-D computerized models of roads, pads and pipelines for industrial applications.

The five-year contract could be a sign of things to come as drone technology becomes more advanced and demand increases from police agencies and others for using drones in the commercial world.

3 replies

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FAA grants first certificate for commercial drone operations over land (Original Post) unhappycamper Jun 2014 OP

in formative stage, but Leme Jun 2014 #1

Imagine if this amazing technology had NEVER been used for war and to kill randys1 Jun 2014 #2

"demand increases from police agencies and others for using drones in the commercial world." djean111 Jun 2014 #3

Leme

(1,092 posts)

1. in formative stage, but

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jun 10, 2014, 09:32 AM

Jun 2014

I am of the opinion all drones should be banned except by court order perhaps. They could be a standing court order for police, or similar. If I see something in the sky, I do not wish to have to wonder friend or foe.

randys1

(16,286 posts)

2. Imagine if this amazing technology had NEVER been used for war and to kill

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jun 10, 2014, 09:43 AM

Jun 2014

If we could use it for any number of things none of which connected to war, death, police, etc.

imagine

djean111

(14,255 posts)

3. "demand increases from police agencies and others for using drones in the commercial world."

Reply to unhappycamper (Original post)

Tue Jun 10, 2014, 09:49 AM

Jun 2014

I would bet that the purchase orders are already completed, and it will be just a tiny happy skip and a merry hop to armed drones.
With the usual clauses that absolve the drones and their users from any responsibility.

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