Ohio College to Build Drone-Friendly Arena

DAYTON, Ohio — As the drone industry awaits much-anticipated federal rules on the commercial operation of drones in U.S. airspace, Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio is coming up with its own solution. The college plans to build a 12-meter-high pavilion that would provide students enrolled in UAV- and aviation-related courses to test their flying machines without being concerned about any current or future Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions.
The current FAA policy allows recreational drone flights in the U.S., and allows commercial use only on a case-by-case approval, according to The Wall Street Journal. The new regulations, which will apply to all UAVs weighing less than 55 pounds, are expected to allow commercial operators to only fly drones during daylight hours, while they will also have to keep their drones below 400 feet and always within sight.
Additionally, all commercial drone operators will have to have a pilot’s license. This ruling will likely disappoint those in the farming, filmmaking and construction industries who were hoping drone use would become widespread after six years of waiting on a ruling. It is also not helpful for students looking to test out drones as they relate to coursework.
The FAA has said it is moving carefully on drone rules out of concern for potential collisions with other aircraft and injury to people and structures on the ground. While the rules are expected to be released by the end of the year, it could still be another year or two before they are finalized.
As such, the college is moving forward with a $5 million arena that will be used by students who need to test drones related to coursework, reported Digital Trends. The new facility will give students access to resources such as “aviation and flight simulators, avionics, engine labs and a wind tunnel,” Deb Norris, the college’s vice president for workforce development and corporate services, told Digital Trends.

Small-drone supporters say smaller models are less risky, reported the Wall Street Journal. For instance the 2.8-pound Phantom line of camera-equipped four-rotor helicopters made by China’s SZ DJI Technology Co. have increased in popularity in the last couple years. Canada, for instance, is planning to issue blanket approval for all commercial operations that use drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds as long as they comply with certain safety standards, such as altitude limits and no-fly zones around airports.
If the Sinclair Community College project follows its schedule, students should be flying their machines by early 2016, despite the rulings that the FAA makes as the industry continues to grow.