In the summer of 2017, the Stormwater Management Commission purchased a drone to improve task efficiencies and expand capabilities in areas with access limitations. Flying a drone in any commercial capacity, including government, requires the prospective pilot to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aeronautical Part 107 Knowledge Test and be vetted by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) in order to receive their Remote Pilot Airman Certificates. SMC has one licensed drone pilot who have completed the required training: Michelle Pope.

Federal law requires that small unmanned aircrafts weighing more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds be registered with the FAA and marked with a registration number, either by registering online or by using the legacy paper based registration process.

Anticipated Uses:

• Stream and Detention Basin Inventories
• Permitting
• Construction Site Inspections
• 2D and 3D imaging
• Flood Impact and Damage Assessments

All drone flights are logged and available to the public through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

FAQs

What is a Drone / Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)?

The FAA terminology of sUAS is synonymous with both Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and drone. A drone is an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Questions, comments, or concerns? Please contact Michelle Pope.

Information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration website.