Drone on! Skies over U.S. open for business
Not too long ago, only the rich and powerful had computers. Then we got desktop PCs.
Once, only an elite few had brick-sized portable phones. Then iPhones came along.
Owning any kind of aircraft long has been out of reach for almost everyone.
Until now.
Federal authorities greenlighted commercial use of drones this week, opening the door for a variety of uses for anyone over 16 who can pass a test and a security check and get a certificate.
Just think of the possibilities. Actually, a lot of people already have thought of them.
Aiding in search and rescue. Analyzing storms from the inside. Tracking wildlife. Monitoring farm fields. Mapping remote areas. Inspecting bridges and antennas.
And, yes, getting aerial photos of your wedding guests arranged in a giant heart shape with you and your new spouse at the center. (Google "drone hits groom in head" for the down side of that particular application.)
Yes, drones can fall on people. The new regulations attempt to address that not only by the testing requirement but by stating that drones can't be flown over unsuspecting crowds.
And there are more potential hazards that surely will draw the attention of regulators, like the Utah wildfire-fighting operation that had to ground planes because drones got in the way. "Gapers block" is about to take on a whole new meaning.
Our rapidly eroding privacy is a real concern. It's not like there weren't eyes in the skies already, but those years-old aerial photos of your house online soon might seem positively quaint.
The government says education about respecting privacy will be part of the drone pilot certification process, building on "best practices" put forth last month by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
In reality, there's little choice but to forge ahead and there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the prospect.
Imaginative people will think of new uses for drones, new businesses, new jobs.
When people talk about creating a new entrepreneurial economy, this is what they mean.
And did we mention that news helicopter we've been dreaming about for years?
Might just be time to start shopping.