Section 333 UAV Exemptions Racing Skyward!

Authorizations to companies flying UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) by the FAA are climbing rapidly, with 5,309 authorizations granted as of June 12, 2016.  The demand for UAS applications has been unprecedented and rapidly mushrooming for a couple of years, now.  The traditional markets included real estate, farming and ranching, property surveying, search and rescue, law enforcement and many more, and it seems new applications are invented every week. Unfortunately, the practical effect of this avalanche of new apps has been somewhat frustrating delays felt by many in their quest to obtain authorization.

FAA Section 333 applicants indicate they would be willing to pay a small fee to speed up the exemption process, because it is costing them money on a monthly basis.  This forces a choice whether to proceed as criminals and work without legal authorization or to lose business. One applicant indicated that it seems un-American to offer a blanket authorization to recreational flyers (hobbyists) while prohibiting flying with respect to honest small business people.  For details on the registration process to obtain an authorization, please click here.  Image of a Walkera multirotor flying after dark by TJAtwood.