In my previous column, “The Little Drone Revolution” (PLSN, Sept. 2015, page 71), I discussed the AV industry’s great opportunity with professional Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). I also interviewed Kevin Kelly, president and COO of Stampede, who was instrumental in bringing the drone pavilion to InfoComm 2015.
Since that point, the proliferation of drones continues — certainly for the hobbyist, but particularly for commercial video production, and the resulting amazing aerial viewpoints. That’s the upside, but of course, there’s a downside. Perhaps you’ve seen those trending YouTube videos of drones being knocked out of the sky by angry citizens and read the news reports of drones getting in the way of critical fire-fighting operations.
Whether you’re a hobbyist, a professional drone pilot, or a manager suddenly in charge of your company’s new UAS department, where can one go for industry news, articles, forums, regulatory information and more? It turns out that AUVSI, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, has been around for over 40 years — providing its members with a wealth of information.
Reducing Infrastructure, Expanding Business
I spoke with Tom McMahon, AUVSI’s vice president for Advocacy and Public Affairs, and he shared my sentiments on the growing popularity of drones. “Photography, cinematography, and even news gathering, all of those areas are becoming increasingly popular with unmanned aircraft systems,” said McMahon. “These systems reduce the infrastructure required and provide flexibility, plus an entirely different perspective that you can’t get from any other platform. A good number of small businesses are now involved in the industry, as a way for them to expand and provide new services for their customers.”
In the traditional sense, AUVSI is an industry association that focuses on the commercialization of unmanned vehicle systems. True, they’re actively involved in defense systems, but with so much interest in commercializing unmanned systems, AUVSI represents 7,500 members around the world, and about 650 of them are corporations. They’re not a regulatory organization, but more of a focal point.
“We’ve been around for 43 years,” explained McMahon. “AUVSI was founded back in the 70s, when the Pentagon started gaining interest in unmanned systems. That includes unmanned aircraft, ground and maritime systems, and we actually work with our members in those three domains. The interest in the unmanned aircraft domain is getting the most attention, but all three have been around for a number of years, in a number of capacities.”
Not Just Aerial
When speaking with McMahon, my focus was exclusively on drones, but I didn’t realize the scope of AUVSI — especially when he mentioned Google and their self-driving car project. “Yes, unmanned cars are part of it,” added McMahon, “and automobile manufacturers are taking steps towards future unmanned systems, but they’re also using the technology today to place crash avoidance systems onboard. You’re now seeing those in many of the new cars by all the traditional manufacturers, as a way to make driving safer.”
The Benefits, Exemptions and Competency
I asked Tom to summarize the benefits of membership in AUVSI, not just for the videographer, cinematographer and editor, but also for those commercial organizations with drone systems in place and those considering such systems.
“Membership gives you access to the latest information in the field of unmanned systems, the latest technology, the greatest strides that are being made, plus a monthly magazine,” said McMahon. “Also, an important aspect is advocacy. We’re in the very early stages of this industry, and in fact, we’re waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to put permanent rules in place, so that unmanned aircraft systems can be operated legally.”
“Right now, the FAA is awarding exemptions on a case-by-case basis,” noted McMahon. “That is, exemptions from the current rules that don’t permit the commercialization of unmanned systems. They’re working on new rules that they hope to have in place by next year. Now, if you want to use your UAS outdoors for commercial purposes, whether it’s one you buy at the hobby shop or on line, you have to get an FAA exemption. The bottom line is that in your business, you can’t use an unmanned aerial platform that’s primarily sold for recreational purposes, unless you have the authority from the FAA.”
To obtain an exemption, one has to go to the FAA and complete a form with your company’s information and a statement of your commercial purpose. In addition, an airworthy certificate is required to demonstrate to the FAA that you have competency in flying an aircraft. And, when the rules take effect in 2016, the FAA is proposing that applicants pass a knowledge test.
Know Before You Fly
I asked McMahon where one would go to obtain the required certifications.
“In addition to our main website, www.auvsi.org, we have another called ‘knowbeforeyoufly.org,’ explained McMahon. “There, we have information about where it’s permissible to fly an unmanned aerial system, and if commercial purposes are involved, we provide a link to the FAA for information about their exemption process and the appropriate forms.”
“Even if you’re flying for recreational purposes, you have to keep in mind that there are restricted areas where you’re not allowed to fly your UAS,” said McMahon. “Primarily, that’s within five miles of an airport, and anywhere over a congested area. The way that the rules are written, you would not be permitted to fly over your neighborhood.”
Clearly, with the proliferation of these vehicles, getting the message out is critical — because incidents will occur (and incidents have already happened).
“This is new technology, and it’s great fun to operate, but keep in mind that we’re sharing the national airspace with everything from helicopters to airliners,” emphasized McMahon. “When the wildfires hit Southern California recently, in some instances the firefighters had to ground their airplanes because there were unmanned aerial systems in the area. It’s just good practice in any critical situation to simply stay away and let the professionals do their job. Lives and property are at stake. For all the benefits we’re seeing from UAS, and especially for those involved in videography and photography, it’s very important to know before you fly.”
TFRs
There’s an additional important point in the mix. When you’re flying a drone for video or photographic purposes, the operator must abide by the FAA’s temporary flight restrictions, or TFRs. These TFRs will be posted whenever there’s an incident such as a fire or an emergency. TFRs will also be posted around major stadium events, such as football and baseball games. Aerial video might be permitted when there are no spectators in the stands, but when the actual event occurs, the FAA will post TFRs. The responsible video drone pilot should always check with the FAA for TFRs affecting their area — and by all means, never fly within a 25 mile radius of the White House.
McMahon also recommends joining a local chapter of AUVSI, to meet other professionals of like mind, and to get involved with others using UAS in their businesses. It turns out there’s a local chapter here in my neighborhood, Silicon Valley and many other chapters across the country.
Waiting on the FAA
Congress passed a law in 2012 and instructed the FAA to have rules regarding UAS in place by 2014. We’re way past that deadline, and the FAA is still at it. At a hearing a few months ago on Capitol Hill, an FAA administrator said that he hopes that rules would be in place within a year — which puts us mid-2016. Those of us with keen interest in creating a UAS-centric business model would like to see the FAA move quicker, because other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, already have rules in place for commercial UAS operations.
Let’s get moving, gents. I’d like to shoot some video from overhead.
