In the electrical industry, a contractor can capture aerial footage of a construction project or storm-related damage with a drone. Before taking flight, however, users need to register their drone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA offered this pre-flight checklist for flying safely:
- Fly your drone at or below 400 ft.
- Keep your drone within your line of sight.
- Be aware of FAA Airspace Restrictions.
- Respect privacy.
- Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports.
- Never fly over groups of people, public events or stadiums full of people.
- Never fly near emergencies such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts.
- Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Beyond keeping these safety tips in mind, electrical contractors can also help the drone users at their companies to obtain a remote pilot certificate, which is valid for two years. The candidates must be at least 16 years old, proficient in English, be physically and mentally capable of flying a drone, and pass an initial aeronautical knowledge exam.
The initial exam covers these areas:
- Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations and flight operation
- Airspace classification and operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
- Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
- Small unmanned aircraft loading and performance
- Emergency procedures
- Crew resource management
- Radio communication procedures
- Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
- Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
- Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
- Airport operations
- Maintenance and pre-flight inspection procedures
To learn more about how to become a remote drone pilot, visit the FAA website. Electricians and engineers interested in receiving more training can also check out FAA’s training resources and guides page.
Fischbach is a freelance writer based in Overland Park, Kan. She can be reached at [email protected].
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About the Author
Amy Fischbach
Amy Fischbach, EUO Contributing Editor
Amy Fischbach ([email protected]) is a freelance writer and editor based in Overland Park, Kan.