Forensics investigation firm Donan received its second FAA exemption for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones), joining an elite group that includes insurance carriers such as State Farm, USAA and AIG. The exemption applies to its fleet of fixed-wing multi-rotor UAVs, which can be used for engineering and fire investigation inspections. The company received another exemption in May for its fixed-wing Sensefly eBee.
The exemptions allow Donan to gather data over large areas with its fixed-wing drones or use the multi-rotor drones for single-property investigations where it can capture small details like hail strikes on a structure. The quadcopters move similarly to a helicopter and can hover in place to capture high-definition video and images. They also will be equipped with infrared cameras for thermal imaging.
The FAA is granting exemptions on a case-by-case basis until it releases final regulations for drone use. The exemptions also outline safety guidelines.
“All of the exemptions granted by the FAA come with restrictions related to where UAVs can be flown and require that the operator be a licensed pilot,” says Duane Battcher, Donan's managing director.
Since receiving its initial exemption, Donan has used the technology to provide aerial photographs as part of an explosion investigation that analyzes damage and identifies the scope of the debris field.
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