tified. To become a certified remote pi- lot, there are other FAA conditions that need to be met . A pilot must be at least 16 years of age, fluent in English, pass an aeronautical knowledge exam, and be in good physical and mental condi- tion to fly a drone. Remote ID All drones that weigh more than 249 grams and are used for commercial purposes must be regis- tered with the FAA . The cost to reg- ister is $5 per drone and is valid for three years. Aer registering, a certificate is issued and must be in the possession of the pi- lot while flying. In addition, all drones must be labeled with their correspond- ing registration number before they are cleared for flying. Henry says a remote ID is like the license plate on a car. “The identifi- cation number needs to be visible,” he says. “The easiest way is to use a paint marker and write the number on the drone.” Local regulations In addition to fed- eral requirements, each state has its own laws and regulations for flying drones. Common restrictions include flying near stadiums and sporting events, airports and hospitals, over large groups of people, emergency or rescue operations, and other restricted or special-use airspace as outlined by the FAA . But even in highly restricted airspace, requests may be granted in certain cir- cumstances. “Drone operators need to research the class of airspace they plan to fly in,” says Henry. “For example, Class B air- space is highly restricted, while Class G airspace is fairly open. In restricted airspace, you can request permission to fly, but that’s not always guaran- teed. Download the B4UFly app from the FAA. It makes requesting flight in restricted airspace much easier.” Line of sight: Drones can fly up to 400 feet above the ground and must
be within one’s visual line of sight (VLOS). That means the operator can see the drone without the need for binoculars or special equipment. This rule is essential to keeping drones out of the flight path of airplanes and other aircra. Special flights that exceed 400 feet require a waiver from the FAA. Insurance Many commercial insur- ance policies do not include drone coverage. While insurance is not cur- rently mandatory, it is highly recom- mended. A general liability insurance policy may cover accidents related to drone use. Owners and operators should regular- ly visit the FAA’s website to stay up to date on all of the licensing and regu- lations as they apply to commercial drone use. FINAL THOUGHTS Using a drone in your tree care oper- ation offers many advantages. From providing accurate real-time data and imagery to advanced tree health as- sessments and applications, it’s easy to understand and accept drones as a useful tree care management tool. Drones are proving to be cost-effective, efficient, and are eliminating some of the risks associated with the tree care industry. Tapping into this technology could give your company a competitive advantage. These companies make drones and add-ons commonly used within the tree care industry. Popular Drone Manufacturers
ents. These can also be used to support a company’s marketing effort. Posting regular videos on a website, blog, or social media platform is a great way to show potential clients how tree care work is performed. BEFORE YOU BUY The use of drones is an exciting ad- dition to the list of services tree care companies can offer. It can provide a cost-effective solution to oen labori- ous tasks, as drones eliminate risk and increase efficiency. “You can spend a few hundred dollars and buy a quality drone for your busi- ness,” explains Henry. “But be aware, however, that flying for money, no mat- ter what drone you purchase, you still need to get a pilot’s license and follow all of the FAA (Federal Aviation Admin- istration,) state, and oen municipality, rules, and guidelines.” Here are a few things to consider be- fore and when buying a drone. Licensing To fly a drone for commer- cial purposes, an operator must be cer- A USDA Forest Service nursery employee counts seedlings for inventory using a rectangular frame and capturing GPS points for validating drone -derived measurements
DJI Flyability Freefl y
XAG Parrot Wingtra
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