Anyone doing aerial surveying for TxDOT (or doing roadway drone mapping) in Texas aware of this:
https://www.txdot.gov/government/programs/sharing/uas-services.html
I'm curious in the sense if the manual will apply to TxDOT employees or for anyone doing aerial drone mapping in or in close proximity to Texas roadways.
One of the requirements is to submit a Flight Plan to the designated 'UAS Coordinator' of any prior flights. I wonder how long will it take to be approved, as some companies get requests literally overnight and the first thing they think is to go fly asap.
If it??s anything like FAA waivers or permissions I would be sure to inform project managers to allow for extra time. I??ve waited for response from the FAA where promises were already made about timelines with no consideration of those factors. There are some common misconceptions I??ve noticed where the drone is expected to do miracles and perform tasks in just minutes with very little effort or planning.?ÿ
Yes, it will be something similar to FAA Waivers, other than the fact that all flights will have to be reported to this designated 'UAS Coordinator'. I agree that regulations and a manual will be in effect soon and it kind of professionalize aerial mapping (they are basically taking 90% of the FAA Part 107 regulations into the manual), but it temporarily gives the power to another entity as to when work can be done, as Flight Plans need to be approved by the Coordinator. In such case, extra time will have to be added and treated like any other contingency in the scope of work.
On its face, this appears tantamount to counties requiring a second license to survey there. Need more background...
Everything needs proper planning and coordinating of all the services required to get the project completed.
I am glad that this summer all my projects are set to do after they have bailed the hay or brush hogged the open lands.
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