A new rule proposed on Tuesday would ease altitude and line-of-sight restrictions for drone operations, allowing them to be widely used for commercial purposes, such as package deliveries.
Under this proposed rule from the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration, drones can be flown beyond the current visual line of sight requirements, allowing them to be flown at an altitude of 400 feet or less.
This would permit drones to be used across the United States for operations like package deliveries, agriculture, aerial surveying and civil interests, including public safety, recreation and flight testing, according to a fact sheet from the FAA.
Before this rule, drone operators needed individual waivers or exemptions to be able to use their drones beyond the visual line of sight, but this proposed rule drops that requirement.
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“The rules are going to completely change in the way that drone use is going to be approved. And what this is going to do is, again, allow our innovators and businesses to continue to create and innovate and change the way our industry works with the use of these drones. And by the way, we’re talking about the commercial use of these drones,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a press conference announcing the proposed rule.
Amazon and Walmart are already authorized by the FAA to perform drone deliveries in select locations and cities across the nation.
Although the new rule eases some restrictions, there are still requirements drone operators will need to follow in order to be able to fly, including approval from the FAA for the area where they intend to operate. Drone operators would need to “identify the boundaries and the approximate number of daily operations, as well as takeoff, landing and loading areas. They would ensure adequate communications coverage and procedures in cases where the communications with the drone are lost,” according to an FAA fact sheet of the proposed rule.
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Drones will be limited to a maximum of 1,320 pounds including cargo.
Drone operators will still be required to maintain safe separation when flying, yield to all manned aircraft, ensure the drone does not interfere with any other operations in the airspace and abide by all current FAA flight notices and restrictions.
Drone operations will remain restricted over large crowds and open gatherings like sports and media events.
The FAA said it’s partnering with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure proper vetting of all parties involved in flying drones.
The proposed rule will go through a required 60-day public comment period before it can go into effect.
