Drone use in Construction is Soaring

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), just released a report on the use of drones. Since the FAA has not issued rules for the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones), the easiest way to use them is by applying for an exemption as a way to get around the airworthiness requirements for manned aircraft. AUVSI looked at the number of exemption applications and discovered that construction and infrastructure companies received 1,800 exemptions.

1,800 exemptions translates to 60% of industry applications, and 40% of the 4,600 approved exemptions. Florida, California, and Texas based companies lead the industry. Of the 1,781 companies located throughout the country almost all of them are small businesses with less than $1 million in revenue and fewer than 10 employees.

Drone technology has taken off in the construction, surveying and real estate industries prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to announce in December an expedited online drone registration program beginning this spring.

If you would like to know more you should check out the the AUVSI release. The AUVSI webpage “provides interactive graphics detailing the data provided through the exemption process. This is the best way to explore the current state of the commercial UAS industry. The data are current through Jan. 20, 2016, detailing the first 3,136 exemptions and will be updated on a regular basis.”