The Micro Drone Safety and Innovation Act would ease restrictions on the commercial use of small drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds.
Currently, if someone wants to fly a drone for business purposes, he or she must obtain an airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or successfully petition for an exemption. Drones may be flown recreationally without an airworthiness certificate, but must be registered with the FAA.
Under this legislation, anyone would be able to fly small drones for business or recreational reasons without having to:
Pass an aeronautical knowledge test;
Meet an age or experience requirement;
Obtain an airman certificate or medical certificate.
The bill lays out specific safety regulations for the use of drones. Micro drones must flown:
Less than 400 feet above ground level;
At an airspeed of less than 40 knots (about 46 mph);
Within sight of the operator;
During daylight hours;
No less than five miles from the geographic center of an airport with an air traffic control tower (unless the operator has notified the airport operator and received approval from the air traffic control tower).