Recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos explained on CBS's 60 Minutes TV show that the company is considering the use of drones to deliver packages of 5 pounds or less at some point in the future. The planned program is called "Prime Air."
National Geographic recently listed 5 other (non-military) uses for drones currently or expected in the near future: hurricane hunting, 3D mapping, protecting wildlife (poachers in Africa), farming including precision applications of pesticides, water, or fertilizers (widely done in Japan already), and search and rescue for missing persons. Forest-fire fighters in California could probably provide an additional application or two.
Of course, we're in the electronics business and we're enthusiastic about new technologies that utilize the rf and microwave and other electronic components made by Electro Technik companies. But has technology managed to jump ahead of good sense when it comes to drones? Are drone-flying paparazzi just the beginning?
Just last week, two commercial passengers reported a drone flying within the protected airspace at JFK International Airport -- one sighting within 100 ft of the jet! And on August 7, CNN and several other news sources reported on an Ohio prison "free for all," after a drone dropped drugs into its prison yard.
"Free for all" is right!
The FAA currently does not issue Certificates Of Authorization to private citizens or civilian businesses. However, The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 requires that the FAA establish rules for drone operation by September 30, 2015.
Let's hope they make the deadline.
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