Arkansas realtor tests photo-taking drone

By John Magsam, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/9/13

FAYETTEVILLE - The flying camera buzzes like a gigantic bee as it hovers in the crisp November air.

Tim Stein, real-estate executive broker with Bassett Mix & Associates, guides the craft with a remote-control system linked to his iPhone. At his command, the white aerial vehicle obediently whooshes up to about 20 feet powered by four rotors and waits there patiently, parked in midair until its next order is given.

“I was shocked at how maneuverable it is,” Stein said. “I did hit a tree with it once, but it righted itself and went on its way.”

He’s experimenting with the unmanned aerial system, referred to by some as a drone, to see if he can use aerial photos and video to make properties more appealing. Recently, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told CBS’ 60 Minutes that the company is testing the use of drones to deliver packages, sparking more interest in the craft.

“There’s a bit of an investment, and other Realtors are nervous about it,” Stein said.

Stein is referring to stringent Federal Aviation Administration regulations that govern the uses of unmanned aircraft. The FAA is revising those rules to allow limited commercial use of unmanned craft which is denied under the current regulations. It’s part of a mandate from Congress that the FAA integrate drones into U.S. airspace by 2015.

Current rules say civilian companies can only operate unmanned aircraft systems if they have a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category which does not allow the aircraft to be used for commercial purposes. Public agencies can fly unmanned craft if they’ve been awarded a government certificate of waivers or authorization.

The third category is recreational or sport use of model airplanes, which does not require special certification. These craft can be used only for hobby or recreational use. Users are advised to be sensitive to noise concerns, to keep clear of spectators, fly below 400 feet and keep a visual line of sight with the aircraft.

FAA spokesman Les Dorr said new rules, including those for small unmanned aircraft under 55 pounds like the one Stein uses, are being drafted and will be open to public comment in 2014. It’s unclear how long it would take before any new regulations are approved. Dorr said the goal for all the FAA regulations is safety and the rules will help minimize danger in the event an unmanned craft crashes or loses power.

When the FAA hears of possible violations, it tends to send a cease-and-desist letter or dispatch an FAA inspector to investigate. The number of cease-and-desist letters the association sends was not available, but that information is being gathered, Dorr said.

Larry Purcell, with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and holder of the Ben J. Altheimer Chair for Soybean Research, received a cease-and-desist order two years ago from the FAA for using an unmanned aerial vehicle to study soybeans to help develop drought-tolerant varieties. The division has the proper certification now, said Jim Robbins, an extension horticulture specialist, though getting the certification took 11 months and required extensive paperwork.

According to a March 2013 report, commissioned by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, integration of the unmanned craft into U.S. airspace will have an economic effect of $13.65 billion and create more than 70,000 jobs nationwide between 2015 and 2017, assuming new rules are adopted. For the 10-year period between 2015 and 2025, the economic effect will be $82.12 billion and create 103,000 jobs across the nation.

The report indicates that in Arkansas there will be an $80 million economic effect and more than 400 jobs created between 2015 and 2017. For the first 10 years, the state could expect economic effect of $481 million and the creation of 608 jobs.