Government
Drones flying despite FAA ban but the industry wants rules
|
By GREG MONAHAN
Capital News Service
LANSING — State and university officials as well as entrepreneurs in Michigan are anxiously awaiting the results of a federal appeal that will affect how a commercial drone industry develops in the state and across the country. The status of using what are also called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAVs -commercially is in a holding pattern after a federal judge ruled last month that the Federal Aviation Administration had no authority to issue a $10,000 fine against a Virginia drone pilot. That set off celebrations in the drone community that were short-lived. The following day, the FAA announced it would appeal the decision and the ban on commercial drone flight remains in effect until the appeal is decided. “In a way really nothing has changed,” said Tony Sauerbrey, the drone program manager at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.