Unmanned drones are used
by groups as widely dispersed as hobbyists who want to take videos of
their neighborhoods to Amazon.com Inc., which wants to use the machines
to make deliveries. No matter what the use, it could be severely
restricted by a ruling set by the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB). Drones may not fly unregulated.
The case that will begin a
clampdown in earnest concerned drone use by Raphael Pirker, who flew
his machine over the campus of the University of Virginia in 2011. In
its opinion on Pirker’s actions, NTSB officials said:
In reaching
its decision, the Board determined the FAA may apply the regulation
that prohibits operation of an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner
to unmanned aircraft.
“Careless and reckless” are apparently
open to interpretation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
already prohibited the use of most drones for commercial reasons. The
NTSB decision reinforces that.
The drone business has expanded
rapidly in the United States. The devices can be cheap and easily
operated. The Verge recently pointed out that powerful drones are
available for about $1,000. Whether the drones are used for personal
reasons or commercial ones is not part of purchase restrictions. People
make decisions one by one about how they will use the machines.
Amazon
and other companies that want to use drones for commercial purposes
need to worry about the NTSB action. Should it be supported by courts,
the introduction of new services involving drones may be completely
blocked.
Read more: http://247wallst.com
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