At the end of 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration made several changes to the regulations that affect Part 107. Usually hearing about new government regulations would make one think of restrictions to an industry. However, many of these changes are beneficial to the drone industry. It makes perfect sense. In order for the industry to advance into drones performing everyday tasks, these changes are necessary.
Drone pilots operating under Part 107 will now be able to fly at night without a waiver. Proper equipment is necessary. “The small unmanned aircraft must have lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least three (3) statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision (FAA.gov).”
The new rule allows drone pilots to fly over people as well. It is not intended the drone will not fly over congregations of people over a long period of time. It is only meant to fly over people incidentally as it travels.
Pilots can now fly over vehicles. Vehicle owners must be notified if the drone will fly overhead for an extended period of time. This notice is not necessary if the overhead flight is just incidentally during the normal flight path.
In addition, it seems as though the Part 107 certification will not require a test past to be passed every two years. After the initial certification, the F.A.A. website mentions that “online recurrent training” will be required. The website is not clear about what that means exactly, but it makes sense that constant training and updates on new regulations will make pilots better than to require a test to be passed every other year.
Amazon has been testing the use of drones to deliver packages (CNN). Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 is required for Amazon to make deliveries which is different from the Part 107 changes that will affect most drone pilots. Changes in the regulation are necessary for drones to become more mainstream in society. As technology advances drones will have even more uses in society. It is exciting to learn about the new changes to come and how it might positively impact the industry.
https://dronerush.com/part-107-license-flight-over-people-night-flight-faa-rules-22220/, Retrieved on 2/27/2021
https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people/, Retrieved on 2/27/2021
https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/31/tech/amazon-drone-faa-approval/index.html, Retrieved on 2/27/2021
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