Impact of flight regulations on effective use of unmanned aerial vehicles for natural resources applications

TitleImpact of flight regulations on effective use of unmanned aerial vehicles for natural resources applications
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsRango A., Laliberte AS
JournalJournal of Applied Remote Sensing
Volume4
Issue043539
Pagination043539
ARIS Log Number243122
Keywordsaerial photography, civilian applications, FAA regulations, National Airspace System, rangeland management, Small unmanned aerial vehicles
AbstractUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have great potential for rangeland assessment, monitoring, and management as has been shown by prior studies. Additionally, numerous other applications in natural resources have shown the value of using UAVs. In order to have UAVs become a dependable tool for public land management agencies in carrying out their government-mandated responsibilities, it is necessary to integrate UAVs into the National Airspace System (NAS). To achieve this, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations have to be followed to assure public safety. UAV operators need to know that the safety regulations which incorporate line of sight restrictions will slow progress towards an operational system and plan accordingly for the extra time necessary to prepare and complete flight missions. In the long term by following approved safety procedures, you will develop a UAV flight team that is capable of accomplishing missions anywhere in the United States and contribute to a totally integrated NAS comprised of manned and unmanned aircraft systems that can be used jointly for natural resources management. At the same time, it is hoped that FAA regulations will change with time based on the locale in which operations take place, especially when they include large, remote, sparsely populated areas, and based on the capabilities and experience of the UAV flight team being used.
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