Member Article

Commercial Use of Drones: A Review

When the topic of drones comes up, it makes many people think of a futuristic world where electronic devices have overtaken the planet. It is not as deep or scary as that. But drones are being used right now, as we speak, to carry out several functions that influence the world market. Drones can help create new jobs for people and create business opportunities, such as using a drone for your photography business for weddings and other big days. If you put your mind to it, you can make drones work for you and make a profit for your business. The future is now, and drones are here to stay!

That’s why today we’ll discuss the many commercial uses of drones and how these small machines can change our view of the world.

Opportunities Available Now

Commercial activities that can be done by a drone are becoming more and more each day. Commercial drones are simply drones that help within a business or company to make money. This is including:

• Selling photos or videos that a drone captured
• Contract services such as inspections for factories or industries
• Professional services such as security or telecommunications.

Some examples of how a drone is helpful in the commercial industry, include:

• Using photos or video to sell real estate for businesses
• Using photos and video for weddings and other life events
• Using a drone for surveying and mapping land as a contract service.
• Using a drone as a delivery system, sending goods to their purchasers.

Every day there are more and more ideas that come from having a commercial drone, and many cannot come to fruition because the FAA or Federal Aviation Administration has rules and regulations regarding air traffic. While the FAA is making changes, drones will soon be able to work for commercial use. You can find more information about that through the FAA. Soon, you will be using a drone for your own commercial use, as long as your drone has a camera and can deliver goods, you are in business!

There are a couple of examples of drones being used for commercial purposes. Amazon has a few models that will be used as couriers in the near future. One drone model is akin to a plane and a helicopter mixed together. Amazon plans for their drones to deliver items 15 miles away at an altitude of 400 feet high.

Workhorse also plans to use a retractable drone that will allow customers to get deliveries from a mile away from the Electric Vehicle that stores the drone. It can carry up to 10 pounds in a load and when it is retracted back to the vehicle, it begins charging itself on its own.

How to Register a Commercial Drone

Any person can buy and fly a drone for their own personal use, but not quite yet for their business, due to the aforementioned FAA still working on changes to allow for commercial use. However, there are permits available (after a painstakingly difficult process) that will give you the right to use a commercial drone. There is an approval process, and you will have to apply for what is known as the Section 333 Exemption, or get the Special Airworthiness Certificate. In all, registration should cost around $200 for all of the fees. There is a proficiency test that you and anyone who is using the drone within the company have to pass.

There are then rules you must follow, such as only flying the drone during the daytime hours, which is not quite popular because drones can be seen with lights at night time. You also can not fly a drone over any persons. There are more regulations, and changing regulations, so if you are going to own a commercial drone, you need to stay on top of the laws.

A few drones that can be used for commercial purposes

Here are two reviews on drones that would work great for any business or entrepreneur.

DJI S900 Spreading Wings Hexacopter

This beast of a drone has 6 rotors and is highly stable and able to hold heavier loads or equipment while it is flying. It does fly longer than your average drone, which means you can cover more areas during one flight. It is powerful, can carry small loads, and is great for filming in the air. Some of its strong points include:

• Strong
• Stable
• Carries 5 kg of cargo or equipment
• Compatible with Zenmuse gimbals

DJI Phantom 4

If you are looking for a drone that can take beautiful footage and crisp photos, or do surveying or mapping, this is the drone for you! This drone can stay in the sky for nearly a half hour, letting you go as far as 6 km and as high as 6,000 meters! It includes sensors so it does not hit anything like a tree, a GPS system, and it is programmable to follow the route you choose for it. Some features modes include Follow Me mode, Go in Front of Me Mode, and Point of Interest Mode.

It has a 4k camera and records at 1080p at 120 fps, giving you some great aerial footage! The camera is 12 megapixels and has various modes for taking photos. Some of the highlights about this drone include:

• Tape to Fly
• Visual Tracking
• Sport Mode
• Can stay in the air for 28 minutes

Since commercial drones are getting the okay to be used, they are definitely part of the future for many companies. Not just that, many can start their own companies with drones, and then hire employees to use the drones, too, which boosts the economy and creates jobs. Commercially owned drones will deliver goods to your home, take great aerial shots for your wedding, or provide security for people. With so many new ideas popping up for drones all of the time, drones are sure to become more and more a part of our future in this world. It is all for the positive, because services can be provided for many!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Wyatt R .