Drones going where they aren’t allowed is one of the biggest challenges facing the consumer drone industry, no matter who the manufacturer is.
From invading commercial airspace to claims of domestic spying, drones rarely, if ever, make headlines because of how revolutionary their technology is or for how much they’ve changed the photography and videography game.
Thankfully for fans of drones, many of the biggest manufacturers in the world are working together with governments and drone pilots to bring about a better, more responsible world of drone piloting that benefits everyone, chief among these names being the world’s largest consumer drone manufacturer, DJI.
PetaPixel is reporting that DJI has obtained permissions from the US federal government to allow drones flights in protected airspace through a new program that pilots can use for speedy application processing. DJI, along with a slew of other companies, is being welcomed into the Federal Aviation Administration’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability program, which also includes Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, KittyHawk, UASidekick, and Unifly according to PetaPixel.
This program is designed for drone pilots to get expedited permission to fly drones near airports and is a speedier process than the current one that can take months to complete. The LAANC as it is called is predicated mainly on the robust technology DJI and other manufacturers have developed to prevent a potential catastrophe when commercial drones are in protected airspace. The FAA for its part has reportedly subjected this tech to rigorous testing and found it to not only be functional but robust at the same time thus the granting of an expedited approval process. Pilots can use LAANC to plan out their future flights and submit them for approval through the agency.
DJI Program Manager Brandon Montellato said of LAANC: “ Before LAANC, using drones for productive work near many airports required detailed applications and up to months of waiting, even when the benefits were clear and safety was prioritized…Now, LAANC allows easy drone use in more than 2,000 square miles near airports, including many populated areas that can benefit tremendously from drone operations. More than 100,000 Part 107-certified drone pilots will now be able to perform valuable work – from inspections and surveys to filming and photography – with near-instant approval.”