Time is Now to Consider Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Time is Now to Consider Unmanned Aircraft Systems

I had the pleasure of attending the Colorado Ag Classic recently. It was great to meet Colorado producers of wheat, corn, sorghum and sunflowers. One of the many informative speakers that day was Dr. Eric Frew Director of Research and Engineering Center for Unmanned Vehicles at University of Colorado.
He shared that now is the time for ag producers who are interested to learn more about Unmanned Aircraft Systems — or UAS and their benefits for ag production. He suggests
Frew: “I would steer you first to something called AUVSI.org — it is the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International They are probably the premier trade group in the U.S. for drones and technology. They are very aware of precision agriculture as a place to apply the technology. They are the clearing house — they are going to give you the positive view of things in terms of drone usage.”
Frew says the technology can be very helpful and the FAA rules are being worked on. He shares what the rules currently are for individual farmers in using UAS.
Frew: “You can fly without FAA approval for recreation. If you are flying over your own property and it is crops that you grow for your own table - it is fine. But if you’re flying over your own property but you are taking pictures of crop that you will sell for commerce that is not allowed by the FAA right now. The FAA has put out documents to explain that point and to emphasis that. So this is part of the misinformation that is out there. I’m just flying under modeler’s rules but you are not just doing it for the hobby-aspect of it — it is not approved.”
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