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And the First US Commercial Drone License Goes To… BP
Authorization comes as FAA moves to integrate commercial drones into American skies
by Sarah Lazare
BP test flies an Aeryon Scout drone over Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in December 2012. (Photo: Screen Shot / BP)The Federal Aviation Administration announced Tuesday it has granted oil giant BP the first-ever approval to fly drones for commercial purposes over U.S. land.
Manufactured by AeroVironment, the drone is slated to conduct aerial surveillance over Prudhoe Bay in Alaska’s Northern Slope. The Bay is home to the largest oil field in North America, and is plagued with routine spills, environmental damage, and air pollution.
BP and AeroVironment launched the first drone flight on Sunday under a license that expires in five years, according to AeroVironment. The drone, a “Puma AE,” is about 4.5 feet long with a wingspan of 9 feet, according to the FAA.
Source: http://philosophers-stone.co.uk/wordpress/2014/06/and-the-first-us-commercial-drone-license-goes-to-bp/
