One of a small handful of companies licensed by the FAA to operate drones in Connecticut is Photoflight Aerial Media.
The group handles multiple kinds of contracts including those for site surveying, residential real estate, and commercial real estate.
The company uses its FAA-licensed pilots to film video high above sites for customers.
“That’s what this whole business is about and seeing it from a different point of view" said Mike Gearin, one of the co-founders of Photoflight.
With drones becoming one of the hot items for shoppers this year, they face a new set of challenges, like sharing airspace with consumer drones.
“There’s a whole operation behind operating drones in a compliant manner" said David Weiner, who handles business development for the company. "Most of our clients would rather outsource that to an organization like ours rather than trying to incorporate those policies and procedures and responsibilities to themselves.”
“Safety, security, and compliance" Weiner said. "That’s what’s most important to us and our clients.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal issued a warning of sorts to those looking to buy drones as gifts.
He predicts the Federal Aviation Administration will issue new rules soon that will require all drones weighing more than .5 LB will have to be registered.
Blumenthal described the dangers in front of Westfarms Mall in West Hartford, while displaying a small helicopter drone.
“Even a small drone like this weighing a half a pound or more can potentially do danger or damage to someone’s home, property, people at parades, public places like sporting events,” he said.
Blumenthal and Weiner both describe the world of drones right now as the "Wild West."
Weiner says Photoflight Aerial is already getting ready for changes in the industry but views its operation as being ahead of consumers with its FAA status. He hopes toys in the sky don't interrupt what they can do for clients.
“Our biggest concern is the influx of drones out in the market and with everybody this Christmas this is the year of the drone, everybody buying their own drones and they think they can just go out and conduct business without complying with regulations that have been defined.”
