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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah wants to establish itself as viable hub and an industry leader for commercial use of unmanned aerial systems, or "drones."
It’s created a new alliance with industry leaders, two universities and filmmakers, which should guide commercial operators in the right direction.
Jon McBride grew up playing with remote control toys.
“It’s just incredible what it’s going to,” he said.
His job as the head technician at Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems is the evolution of that passion.
The drone has quickly become an invaluable tool, which may even surpass its fascination for hobbyists. They are more accessible, more affordable and easier to fly than ever before.
In Utah, everyone from wedding photographers to real estate agents to law enforcement and ranchers are finding ways to use unmanned aerial systems.
“It really runs the gamut from personal to professional civil use,” said Ryan Wood, president of Mountain West Unmanned Systems Alliance and marketing manager of Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems.
Recreationally, the drone can’t weigh more than 55 pounds, must fly below 400 feet, the operator must have the aircraft within line of sight at all times, it must stay at least 5 miles away from any airport and it can’t fly near people or stadiums.
"It's definitely a good time to get in, get a ship, get trained and get ready for when the operator's license does go into effect, so you can be essentially certified and ready to go." Ryan Wood
Last year, the FAA began granting permits on a case-by-case basis to companies that want to use drones for aerial photography, to monitor crops and pipelines, and to inspect bridges, cellphone towers, oil platforms and other tall structures, among other uses, the Associated Press reported. But the agency has a backlog of nearly 700 permit applications, and the list is growing.
According to the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the unmanned aerial systems industry will have a $13.6 billion economic impact within three years of adoption of proposed FAA rules. That number is expected to grow to $82 billion by 2025. A large amount of that impact will be to the benefit of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Wood says now is a good time for an alliance because the Federal Aviation Administration proposed new rules that would open the door for commercial use of drones in about a year with an operator’s license.
"It's definitely a good time to get in, get a ship, get trained and get ready for when the operator’s license does go into effect, so you can be essentially certified and ready to go,” Wood said.
Currently the alliance is comprised of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems, several video production companies, Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University.
The alliance aims to help Utah businesses and agencies start to use drones, help them understand the rules and set up a training facility for law enforcement, firefighters, and search and rescue.
"The main goal is to make Utah the example for responsible commercial and civil use of unmanned systems,” Wood said.
