In the United States, Terra Imaging has received Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval for commercial drone operations.
The FAA exemption would allow Terra Imaging to operate an unmanned aircraft system to conduct aerial surveys, photography and closed set cinematography.
Karl Engstrom, CEO of the company says that an exemption like this is a first for the geospatial industry.
The UAS approved for operations are the Trimble UX5 and DJI S1000. The FAA exemption documents state that the drones must weigh less than 55 pounds and stay within visual line of sight.
The FAA has also mandated to restrict the speed limit to 87 knots or 100 miles per hour, at an altitude not exceeding 400 feet above ground level.
The company plans to continue its work with airborne mapping clients for golf course, real estate, civil engineering and agriculture mapping.
