Lets assume for discussion purposes, that I have an engineering firm client that has had us set and position aerial photo control targets on a project located in a highly urban environment. My understanding at the time was that they were going to do the mapping themselves.
Now, lets assume that I have since discovered that the client was either planning to map or has already mapped the project using a drone mapping system. I think that they are also planning to map more projects in this highly urban environment.
If, as I understand the FAA's current drone position, using any of these aerial mapping drone mapping systems in a commercial manner would be against their rules, especially in a highly urban environment. This seems to be a serious issue.
Questions:
1. Should I report this matter to the FAA?
2. Have I aided and abetted the violation of Federal rules and regulations?
3. Should I just close my eyes and look the other way?
4. Exactly what would you recommend for my course of action or inaction?
As of August 4 the FAA had issued more than 1000 exemptions from Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 to allow the commercial use of UAV's.
You can find a list of the firms with exemptions here:
http://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/333_authorizations/