Picture this: you're in your backyard having a barbecue with friends. It's a bright, sunny day and you hear a loud noise. Looking up, you see an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), better known as a drone, hovering over your gathering, apparently taking pictures. It's startling to say the least!

Drones have expanded from their military role of unmanned combat strikes to use by businesses in a variety of ways. Hollywood latched onto the idea, requesting permission to use cameras mounted on drones to film remote areas or dangerous locations, following the government's approval of a request by BP to use drones to survey oil pipelines in remote areas of Alaska.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which controls all U.S. air space, also regulates the domestic use of drones and requires certificates of authorization before allowing the drones to fly. On Sept. 25, the agency granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial phot and video production companies, which is the first step to allowing the film industry to use drones extensively.

Insurance industry wants to be next

The insurance industry also is interested in using drones, primarily to survey damage at disaster sites. Think how much faster claims might be resolved if a drone could fly over a tornado-ravaged town or burning building and return information instead of waiting for it to be safe for an adjuster to physically visit the site.

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) has requested permission from the FAA to test-fly five-pound drones in a rural area near its San Antonio, Texas, headquarters, according to a recent statement. "We're constantly seeking ways to better serve our members, especially during catastrophes…and applying new technologies is one way we can do that," added Alan Krapf, president, USAA property and casualty insurance group.

USAA's use would follow in the footsteps of law enforcement and public safety officials, who are currently using drones for search and rescue, border patrol, and firefighting for example. State Farm has also confirmed that it is applying to the FAA for permission to use drones.

Is it legal?

The FAA makes a distinction between model aircraft used by hobbyists and drones used for commercial purposes. The agency requires commercial businesses to apply for exemptions although hobbyists can freely fly model aircraft that meet the existing regulations.

In the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, the FAA provides the following examples of flights that could be conducted as hobby or recreation flights and other types of flights that would not be hobby or recreation.

Special Reports /

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a drone?

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