Drone Company Aims To Take Off In 2015 With FAA's Blessing

The agency will likely require commercial drone operators to have a pilot’s license, fly only during the day and keep their drones within sight and under 400 feet, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Monday.
Some drone supporters have criticized the rules as too strict, but Melamed believes the proposed regulations will help maintain professional standards for the industry.
OpenSky Drones launched in July. It operates unmanned aircraft whose cameras can live-stream visuals needed for building inspections, as well as natural gas detection and cellular tower energy readings for utilities and government agencies.
Melamed said his employees have pilot’s certifications, and they would rarely need to send drones above 400 feet, or about 40 stories.
 

“Especially in the South Florida area, very few buildings meet that criteria,” he said.

The startup is in talks with about 25 potential customers, Melamed said, and hopes to launch in the next three months. The company is still awaiting FAA approval.
While drone hobbyists do not need FAA authorization to fly, the agency has so far limited commercial drone flight to a few companies.
 

“We think that the rules are topsy-turvy, that the FAA allows hobbyists to fly drones and they don’t allow people with insurance and experience to fly commercially,” Melamed said.

Drones have raised safety and privacy concerns in recent months. Last week, three pilots reported unmanned drones flying too close to their flight paths near John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to NBC.
Melamed contends that safety issues are mostly due to hobbyists’ lack of experience. He looks forward to the day commercial drones can take to the skies.
 

“We always knew the FAA would succumb to common sense and allow drones to fly,” he said.