But as they fly off the shelves, you need to be aware of some guidelines before you send that new toy soaring into the air.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as drones, are filling up KELOLAND skies. Tom Simmons sells DJI drones for Aerial Horizons in Sioux Falls, and says business is better than ever.
“Just in the last couple months with all the publicity my sales have really taken off,” Simmons said.
Simmons says his sales are doing so well, he is moving to a larger location in Sioux Falls. It’s serious business for many. In fact, most of the people buying his equipment are ag producers.
“They are using them from everything to crop monitoring, to checking on livestock. I’ve got a guy West River that has quite a large ranch and he takes it out and flies his ranch. Checks the fence line and things like that,” Simmons said.
Drones aren’t just for farmers. Construction workers and roof inspectors also take to the air to see what improvements are needed on buildings. However, as the potential uses for drones increases, so do the issues surrounding them.
Michael Klarenbeek was the first pilot in South Dakota to get a commercial license to operate a drone. Klarenbeek says the difference between recreational use and commercial use is how you use your drone. If you use the aircraft to help your business in anyway, it’s commercial use.
“For example, I take pictures of someone’s house and they pay me, that’s a direct way I’m getting paid. But if someone was a real estate agent and they’re using it they’re not making any money directly from the drone but their images that they’re taking and selling the houses with that would be considered commercial as well,” Klarenbeek said.
Klarenbeek had to fill out this paperwork to get his drone license. Right now, people flying for a hobby don’t need to fill out the forms to get a registration number for their drone. However, that could be changing soon.
“What they want to do now is, because they’re seeing more and more of these pop up at airports, people using them in the wrong way… they want to integrate a registration system for everything,” Klarenbeek said.
Klarenbeek says the FAA wants every drone in the air to have a number, so it can easily track operators not following proper regulations. If you’re flying a drone recklessly, you could be fined up to 10-thousand dollars.
Want to know what the FAA considers the proper use of a drome? You’ll find that on a website the FAA created just for that purpose. Klarenbeek says people need to understand when and where to take off.
“Probably see that more and more emergency stuff, like someone has a car accident. Well, someone’s got their drone in the back they want to fly up to it. Well, they don’t realize they might need to be airlifted out of there,” Klarenbeek said.
Safety Guidlines for recreational users:
- Follow community-based safety guidelines, as developed by organizations such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
- Fly no higher than 400 feet and remain below any surrounding obstacles when possible.
- Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use an observer to assist if needed.
- Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations, and you must see and avoid other aircraft and obstacles at all times.
- Do not intentionally fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles, and remain at least 25 feet away from individuals and vulnerable property.
- Contact the airport or control tower before flying within five miles of an airport.
- Do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as in high winds or reduced visibility.
- Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Ensure the operating environment is safe and that the operator is competent and proficient in the operation of the sUAS.
- Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.
- Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property.
- Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual’s permission.
New drone pilots can also find more answers about the proper ways to fly their aircraft through a 3-hour class Justin Quigley will soon begin offering in Sioux Falls, called “University of Drones.”
“A lot of it just comes down to the education portion of that and what we want to do is help them understand those rules and regulations so they don’t receive those 10-thousand dollar fines,” Quigley said.
As people and companies become more aware of the FAA regulations as they are finalized, Simmons estimates drone sales will soar even higher.
“As soon as the FAA lays down the rules, this is how it’s going to be, the doors are going to blow the roof off the industry. I think that there are a lot of people on the sidelines right now I think a lot of larger companies that are on the sidelines waiting until the FAA gives them a clear path to get out and fly,” Simmons said.
It’s a booming industry that has just begun to take off.
