Thinking Of Adding A Drone To Your Operation?

SYKESVILLE, Md. - May 8, 2015 - PRLog -- Whether you are thinking of adding a Drone to expand your existing operation or the addition would enhance your current operation, this new technology is evolving more rapidly than regulators can accomodate.

The thought of using UAV's (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's) UAS's (Unmanned Aerial System's), commonly referred to as Drones in commercial industry to add efficiencies and human safety is a highly attractive proposition. The possibilites are endless.  They range from public safety in monitoring the possibilities of natural disasters to search and rescue.  Natural resource industries that operate on a large scale like mining and agriculture can gain extreme efficiencies in time management and output.

Companies ranging in size from one man operations to multi-national corporations are experimenting with this technology to see how it can better their operations.  However, current regulations to flight presents an obstacle to the testing and/or usage that companies want to perform.

Currently, if you are a commercial operation (which if you generate any revenue you are) you must apply for an FAA Section 333 Exemption.  If granted this exemption, you will receive a COA (Certificate of Approval).  This COA allows you to fly the UAS in NAS (National Air Space) under 400ft with some other restrictions such as not over people or within 5 miles of an airport.  *see FAA site for specific restrictions*  Your are also only approved for the specific purposes listed on your COA.  You will be required to list the specific UAV that you will be flying and all of the safety measures to take place.  Oh yeah, did I mention you need at a minimum at least a licensed private pilot!  That is correct.  As far as the FAA is concerned this is an aircraft that must be flown by a licensed pilot.

There appears to be some relaxed regulation on the horizon.  In February the FAA released the NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking)  which has proposed safety rules for small UAS (under 55 pounds) conducting non-recreational operations. The rule would limit flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations. It also addresses height restrictions, operator certification, optional use of a visual observer, aircraft registration and marking, and operational limits.  While these relaxed rules are not in effect today, it appears to be moving in that direction.

With all the confusion about creating a legally compliant operation, the next question moves to the area of insurance.  Will it have a mission failure and fall out of the sky and injure someone?  Could I interfere with a manned aircraft causing it to crash?  Could I invade someones privacy or violate a copyright with video that I shoot?  These are all valid questions.  While all commercial operations should have general liability coverage, it is typical for these policies to exclude aviation.  Many operators are now reporting that they are required to provide Crtificates of Insurances to secure work.  Don't be left without coverage when you unknowingly provided your General Liability coverage that excludes flying!  Now what to do?  Visit http://americanheritageinsurance.com as we have been educating ourselves and located the best carriers willing to write the aviation portion of this risk for Unmanned Aircraft commercial coverage. We can provide liability coverage as a result from the UAS, as well as, physical damage coverage that occured to the UAS.  With the drone prices climbing into the six figures, you do not want to have your UAS in the sky without coverage!

Submit your contact information through www.americanheritageinsurance.com and we will contact you to learn about your business.