Under regulations released by the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday, remote-controlled mini-aircraft would be allowed to monitor crops, inspect buildings, aid in search and rescue, and take aerial real estate photos.
But the new regulations would restrict companies such as Amazon from delivering packages using drones. The rules say a drone must remain within the visual line-of-sight of the operator.
Some drone enthusiasts, who project a multibillion-dollar industry as more drones take to the skies, contend the proposed draft does not go far enough and could hold back the fledgling industry.
Advocates for safety and privacy raise concerns about the risks of increased drone use. The American Civil Liberties Union has raised concerns about inappropriate drone use by federal agencies.
Max Tubman, of South Philadelphia, who uses drones to do low-altitude cinematography, said the new rules "sound pretty good."
He would like the FAA to distinguish, before the proposals become final, between heavy drones that weigh 55 pounds and lightweight drones weighing four pounds and made of plastic. "There's a lot more risk the heavier you get," he said.
Tubman, 29, said he agreed with the restriction that drones be flown within the pilot's visual line of sight, and not remotely in an office or from miles away.
"I don't think the airspace is ready for that," he said.
Amazon said Monday it would continue to work on drone deliveries of products to customers, even though the proposed regulations would rule that out for the present.
Amazon is testing technology in the United States, United Kingdom, and Israel to use unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes or less.
"The FAA needs to begin and expeditiously complete the formal process to address the needs of our business, and ultimately our customers," said Paul Misener, Amazon vice president of global public policy. "We are committed to realizing our vision."
Current FAA rules ban most commercial drone flights, although about two dozen exemptions have been approved.
Rules are different for hobbyists, who now are permitted to fly model aircraft below 400 feet and at least five miles from airports and crowds.
The commercial rules, which will receive lengthy public feedback before becoming final in a year or two, will govern unmanned drones weighing less than 55 pounds.
Commercial flights must be in daylight, limited to heights less than 500 feet, speeds under 100 m.p.h., and avoid airspace around airports. The operator must be at least 17 years old, pass a test, and obtain an FAA operator certificate. The test must be retaken every 24 months.
Safety is the biggest concern of pilot Dan Goldfedder, a captain for Republic Airways, which operates passenger flights for US Airways and American Airlines.
As the drone industry grows, he said, "it's going to be more and more difficult to separate airplanes and drones."
"Right now, I'm not too concerned, but it's a whole new industry that's blossoming, and there's money to be made," said Goldfedder, who lives in South Philadelphia. Goldfedder has never seen a drone while flying, but some pilots have reported seeing drones in their airspace.
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International has projected that commercial drones will create more than 100,000 jobs and $82 billion in economic impact in the first decade.
©2015 The Philadelphia Inquirer
