(Bloomberg) — Annual sales of drones in the U.S. will hit 2.5million this year and swell to 7 million by 2020, according to aprojection from the Federal AviationAdministration.
|Unmanned aircraft purchases are growing both for hobbyists andfor commercial ventures that perform inspections, assist farmers, and surveyconstruction sites, according to the agency's annual forecast ofaviation activity, released on Thursday.
|While the FAA isn't expected to issue regulations allowingcommercial uses of drones until later this year, it's granted morethan 4,100 exemptions for businesses flying unmanned craft. Theinitial regulations would allow limited flights during the day andwithin sight of an operator on the ground, according to the agency.The agency expects to later issue regulations allowing flights overlonger distances and for purposes such as delivering products topeople's homes.
|Related: Drones are proving to be a valuable tool foradjusters
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