Although the FAA continues to have a bane on general commercial use of drones, they granted a permit to Tierra Antigua Realty in Tucson, Arizona, the first such exemption in the real estate industry. The FAA authorized the permit to, “enhance academic community awareness and augment real estate listing videos.” With this permit comes multiple regulations from the FAA including a requirement to operate the unmanned aerial vehicles with a ground pilot and an observer. The pilot is also required to have an FAA private pilot certificate and a current medical certificate. In addition to the certificates, the pilot is restricted to always keeping the drone within view of both operators.
This is an exciting step in the right direction for the real estate industry. Real estate professionals are now even more confident than ever that they will be able to use drones for capturing magnificent pictures of their properties for sale. With over 200 permits filed by those in hopes to get an exemption, congress is putting even more pressure on FAA officials to grant general commercial use of small drones.
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