First Commercial Drones Take to the Skies after FAA Approval

The first FAA-approved commercial drone flights took place this week. The flights will inform the FAA's policy expected by 2015 regarding non-military drone flights, per a mandate from Congress.

1 minute read

June 13, 2014, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

"The Federal Aviation Administration has granted a contractor for oil company BP the right to fly the first approved commercial drone flights in the United States," reports Keith Laing. The first flight already occurred, in fact, on June 8, 2014.

"Arlington, Va.-based drone manufacturer AeroVironment is planning to use the unmanned aircraft to survey BP oil pipelines in Alaska, the FAA said."

These first flights are a first test of a new era in non-military drone use, "with private companies, such as Amazon, clamoring to use them for deliveries and other tasks."

"Congress has required the FAA to develop a plan for boosting the use of drones in the U.S. by 2015. Between now and then, the FAA is planning to test the interaction between drones and other types of airplanes at six sites across the country."

FULL STORY: Feds approve first commercial drone flight

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 in The Hill

Technology Transportation United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Drones Commercial Drones View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.