Rotorcraft
Helicopter Operators See Drones as a Business Opportunity
Operations of the unmanned aircraft are likely to proliferate, and their integration needs to be done right, says HAI president Matt Zuccaro.
The Rotor F/X stable of aircraft includes the custom-made MR14 multi-rotor unmanned aircraft, shown at center. (Photo: Rotor F/X)
The Rotor F/X stable of aircraft includes the custom-made MR14 multi-rotor unmanned aircraft, shown at center. (Photo: Rotor F/X)

As of February, the FAA had granted 26 exemptions to operators to fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, commercially. That activity wasn’t allowed before Congress passed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Section 333 of the act, titled “Special Rules for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” gave the agency the discretion to exempt small drones that it determines can be flown safely for specific operations—that is, until it drafts a uniform regulation. There were more than 300 applications awaiting the agency’s approval.