US: Denver, Colorado-based Mountain Aviation has received FAA approval as the first FAA certified airline authorized to conduct commercial UAVs operations. After 23 years of operating private jets for business and leisure travelers, Mountain Aviation is expanding its product offering into the newly regulated field of commercial Drone operations.
To ensure public safety, the FAA requires oversight similar to that of passenger aircraft including a requirement that the drone be operated by only licensed and current aircraft pilots, strict UAS inspection requirements, and adherence to the same Federal Aviation Regulations that apply to manned aircraft.
Mountain Aviation's commercial Drone operations will extend to a variety of industries and services including aerial mapping, agricultural support, industrial inspections, aerial video, search and rescue, energy system inspections, as well as forestry and wildlife monitoring.
"After two decades as a global leader in private jet charter we are excited to bring our technology based aviation safety systems to the long unregulated and emerging commercial UAS market," says Gregg Fahrenbruch, CEO of Mountain Aviation. "We're certain the impeccable safety record we've earned in our private jet business will set the bar for reliable and safe Drone operations in the commercial and industrial sectors.
As an air carrier with full global operating authority we have the ability to service clients both domestically and overseas," Fahrenbruch goes on to explain. In addition to commercial Drone operations Mountain Aviation operates a fleet of 23 private jet and turbo-prop aircraft and operates flights globally while also assisting clients with aviation maintenance and aircraft acquisition services.
Source: PRN
