WASHINGTON — As the popularity of drones heads skyward, so does the possibility of calamity.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now beta testing an iOS smartphone app that aims to make flying unmanned vehicles safer, particularly for novices.
The FAA has offered 1,000 drone operators the chance to test the new app, called B4UFLY, before its release to the public, which is expected within three months.
The app comes as the FAA tries to deal with the growing number of pilots who have reported seeing drones. More than 650 unmanned aircraft were encountered by pilots as of August 9, compared with 250 sightings all last year, according to the FAA.
Kris Van Cleave, transportation correspondent, for CBS News is one of the beta testers for the app.
“What the FAA has done is basically created and is now testing an app that somebody can have on their smartphone and fire up before they put a drone in the air,” says Van Cleave. “It will tell them about any flight restrictions, any rules in the area where they are.”
The primary purpose of the application is to avoid putting planes and drones in the same airspace.
“I just turned it on right now. I’m sitting in my office in Washington D.C., and what it comes up with is a big red X and it says ‘Flight prohibited. You are in an area with flight restrictions. Do not fly your aircraft,'” says Van Cleave.
The District, and closely-surrounding towns in Virginia and Maryland are in a “no-drone zone.”
“Basically it’s inside the Beltway,” says Van Cleave. “That’s why you don’t see news helicopters flying inside the Beltway, and you really only see military and police helicopters or commercial aircraft on very specific arrival and departure routes.”
The application includes a zoomable map, where drone pilots can find areas that aren’t subject to flight restrictions.
In areas without drone restrictions, pilots can fly unmanned vehicles legally, as long as it’s beneath 400 feet and at least five miles from an airport.
See the FAA’s FAQ about Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones.
