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FAA OKs Drone Use for Search and Rescue Effort
The FAA has issued an emergency Certificate of Authorization (COA) to the National Institute of Standards and Technology of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for the use of a drone to aid in the search for a 23-year-old woman who disappeared recently near Plano, Texas. The request to the FAA came from the Plano Police Department. (www.flyingmag.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
I wish a drone would find David Copperfield for me
Why did they not just contact Civil Air Patrol. They have air crews and airplanes ready to go at a moment's notice. They are trained for search and rescue.
I am guessing you did not see the article a few weeks back where crews had been searching for a missing gentlemen for 3 days. Someone brought in a drone and they found him in 90 min. There is a place for drones in search and rescue, just like everything else, it has to be used correctly.
I have a feeling I know why. Because manned aircraft typically fly so much higher that picking out small details like lost hikers is a bit difficult. A drone on the other hand can fly just above treetop level while toting a high-def camera that spots people with ease. Add the greater maneuverability of the much smaller drone, and the ability to use drones in ways that are far too risky for manned aircraft, and I can easily see how this could happen.
My thought exactly, and since search aircraft cannot fly below 500 feet, there is all that wasted airspace from 0-500, why not put a couple of drones and have everyone work together to increase the odds. Stick an IR camera on their as well, I am guessing they already do.
Because of some unlicensed idiots operation of a drone in the close proximity of a wildfire in northwestern California recently, the aerial fire suppression attack was suspended until the operator ceased operation. Many homes were threatened by this wildfire.
I am in favor of regulation of drone operation and the operators involved in this incident should be punished just as those who stupidly shine lasers at aircraft cockpits.
Yes, there is a place for UAV applications in todays airspace, but lets be intelligent about it.
I am in favor of regulation of drone operation and the operators involved in this incident should be punished just as those who stupidly shine lasers at aircraft cockpits.
Yes, there is a place for UAV applications in todays airspace, but lets be intelligent about it.