Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
IG Faults FAA Oversight of Commercial Drone Exemptions
The FAA did not verify that recipients of 5,500 commercial exemptions understood the terms, says Department of Transportation inspector general.
Shown is the Project Wing prototype drone developed by the X laboratory of Alphabet, formerly Google. (Photo: Project Wing)
Shown is the Project Wing prototype drone developed by the X laboratory of Alphabet, formerly Google. (Photo: Project Wing)

The FAA did not confirm that the recipients of some 5,500 exemptions it issued for the commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) understood or followed the conditions of those approvals, according to an audit report released this month by the Department of Transportation inspector general (IG) . Fines for improper drone operations have been limited, the IG said, in part because the FAA has emphasized education over enforcement of the rules.