FAA Awards Commercial Use Drone Exemptions For Companies In Real Estate And Agriculture

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday issued drone permits to companies in the agricultural and real estate sectors for the first time. The exemptions to the ban on commercial drone use are specifically for crop scouting and enhanced aerial footage of buildings, according to an FAA statement. The exemption stipulates that the commercial drones must have an on-the-ground pilot and an observer, and that a drone must not leave the operator's line of sight.