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Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Drones

The use and regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as drones (shown in image below), is rapidly evolving and this trend is expected to continue over the next several years.

Photograph of a Drone Hovering

Sales of UAS are on the rise as they become less expensive and easier to get. Also on the rise are reports of unsafe or illegal UAS operations around airports, near manned aircraft, at major sporting events, among others. Educating users of the rules that must be followed when operating a UAS will be one of the biggest challenges into the foreseeable future.

Just a few of the uses for UAS include:

  • Crop monitoring
  • Precision agricultural spraying
  • Aerial photography
  • Infrastructure and utility inspection
  • Law enforcement
  • Search and rescue
  • Recreation

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