The FAA earlier granted exemptions to seven film and video production companies. The commercial entities that received exemptions today are Trimble Navigation Limited, VDOS Global, LLC, Clayco, Inc. 'We want to foster commercial uses of this exciting technology while taking a responsible approach to the safety of America's airspace.' 'Unmanned aircraft offer a tremendous opportunity to spur innovation and economic activity by enabling many businesses to develop better products and services for their customers and the American public,' said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. In fact, it might not happen until 2017 or later.

While the FAA testified that the agency has made significant progress getting six test sites up and running, testimony from the Department of Transportation's inspector general and the Government Accountability Office showed that the FAA is going to miss the deadline of September 2015 for safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the national airspace system. The agency has received 167 requests for exemptions from commercial operators. The four companies plan to use drones for aerial surveillance, construction site monitoring and oil rig flare stack inspections. Permits for four of those companies were announced Wednesday, an hour before a hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's aviation subcommittee. The Federal Aviation Administration bars all commercial use of drones except for 13 companies that have been granted permits for limited operations. lags behind in developing safety regulations that would permit unmanned aircraft operations by a wide array of industries, witnesses told a House panel Wednesday.

WASHINGTON - Commercial drone flights are taking off in other countries while the U.S.

Faa drone exemptions