Finding space for your drones (and other tech innovations)

Washington D.C. - According to Babette Boliek, "Drones are hot. The possibility of a drone-filled future fires the imagination. Packages, papers and even groceries might be (and in some areas, are currently) delivered by drones. Farmers already use drones to survey their crops, spray fertilizer and pesticides, and efficiently allocate other scarce resources. Beyond such private uses, it is also easy to see how drones will contribute to the public good – whether scanning for forest fires or tracking poachers in Africa, there is tremendous untapped potential for drones to protect lives and property. In order for these potential benefits to materialize, however, innovators and entrepreneurs need space. Unfortunately, when it comes to drones (and so many other new technologies), regulators seem reluctant to provide the needed leeway."

As the popularity of both commercial and recreational drones rises, so have the proposed regulations to limit permissible flight paths. To navigate the new labyrinth of regulations – both current and imminent – my colleague, Professor Greg McNeal has co-created a free, fantastically useful (and slightly addictive) new app that gives a visual of permissible drone airspace near you. Any prohibited airspace is shown in clean, elegant colored overlays of the applicable aviation map.

A brilliant feature of the app is that you can check for prohibited airspace on an incremental basis. Want to see if you have a Class B airport near you that may affect your flightpath? Click on the button to see the map place a purple overlay on any Class B airport near your designated area. Follow the same procedure for Class C-E airports, schools, hospitals and national parks.

For more information: http://www.techpolicydaily.com/technology/finding-space-for-your-drones/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=paramount&utm_campaign=cict