ISSUE VO‐3
High‐Tech Agricultural Equipment Many farms are moving towards technologically advanced equipment to improve efficiency of farming which includes the use of aerial applicators ( manned aircraft and drones ) that could potentially extend into airspace of low‐level Military Training Routes .
Compatibility Assessment Use of unmanned aerial vehicles ( UAVs ), commonly called drones , has increased dramatically as they have become cheaper , smaller , and easier to use . By 2020 , the FAA expects the number of UAVs used in US airspace to increase to 30,000 . The FAA has a ban on UAVs flying over Restricted Areas including national parks , military bases and within a five mile radius of medium and large airports . Yet , pilots and air traffic controllers in the US reported about 150 incidents in 2014 in which UAVs flew too close to airports or aircraft . Technology can be utilized to limit the range of UAVs using geofencing , which uses GPS or RF identification to create a geographic boundary that location‐aware devices know to avoid . However , few manufacturers have incorporated this technology in the drones as it is not required .
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 established rules for non‐commercial / recreational use of model aircraft , which includes civilian use of UAVs . Under these rules , civilian UAVs are limited to 55 pounds and must be operated to ensure they do not interfere with any manned aircraft . It also establishes that if the UAV is flown within five miles of an airport , the operator must notify the airport operator and the air traffic control tower . The operator must also maintain visual line of sight of the UAV .
The FAA released a proposal governing small commercial UAV operations in February 2015 . It sets a weight limit of 55 pounds , speed limit of 100 miles per hour , and height limit of 500 feet . Operato and avoid hazards , such as Restricted Areas , air also requires UAV operators to pass an aeronau operator certificate , but it does not require ope license . Final rules will take some time and it co are finalized . Until these rules are established , go through the Section 333 Exemption process . involves filing a petition for exemption , which is basis to perform commercial operations with U FAA granted 69 exemptions . Private recreation under the FAA Modernization and Reform Act o
In more rural parts of the US , UAVs are becomin agricultural purposes to monitor crops and field programmed to fly low over fields and streams to a ground station , where the images can be st analyzed to gauge crop health . They can also be soil and water samples . A 2013 study estimated would be largely in agriculture .
Most of the area below the MTRs utilized by Se currently used for agriculture or open space . Th recreational UAV use or farms may begin to util the number of UAVs increases , there is potentia communication between air traffic control and There will also be the increased risk of UAVs fly without prior coordination . This raises safety co able to reach a height of 500 feet – the minimu Seymour Johnson AFB aircraft travel through th
There is uncertainty as to whether a farmer wh drone to survey as part of the agricultural busin be considered a commercial or recreational use
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