The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has released an interactive analysis on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Section 333 exemptions. According to the report, that analyzed more than 3,000 FAA exemptions, 38 types of business operations have been approved to fly unmanned aircraft systems commercially in the National Airspace System (NAS). Aerial photography received the most exemptions, followed by real estate and aerial inspection. The report also finds that exemptions have been approved in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Commercial UAS Exemptions by the Numbers

“The UAS industry is poised to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. and these numbers demonstrate that a wide variety of industries are eager to take advantage of this technology,” said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. “From inspecting our nation’s infrastructure to providing farmers with aerial views of their crops, the applications of UAS are virtually limitless. It’s no wonder businesses – small and large – are clamoring to use this technology.”

The report has interactive features that enable users to view the FAA exemption data in easy-to-read graphs and gain unique insight into the current landscape of the UAS industry. Using AUVSI’s web tools, users can isolate state-specific data on the most popular applications for UAS, the most prevalent manufacturers for each type of use, and economic overviews on the companies gaining FAA exemptions. In Sept. 2014, the FAA started granting exemptions for certain low-risk commercial UAS applications under Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Since then, the agency has received more than 15,000 and approved more than 4,600 petitions.

AUVSI analyzed the first 3,136 exemptions approved by the FAA. Specifically, the report finds:

  • The approved exemptions cover 38 different types of business operations, with aerial photography receiving the most approvals with 2,557. Real estate followed with 1,969 exemptions and aerial inspection with 1,671 exemptions.
  • Exemptions were approved for operators from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. California received the most with 360, followed by Florida with 328 and Texas with 268.
  • The number of exemptions granted each month grew sharply from March 2015 to May 2015, reaching a peak in October of that year, at 419. Over 360 exemptions were granted in January 2016 alone.
  • Most commercial UAS operators are small businesses. About 90 percent of the nearly 3,000 companies receiving exemptions make less than $1 million in annual revenue and have fewer than 10 employees.
  • About 65 percent of all platforms mentioned in the exemptions are manufactured by DJI Global. Rotary-wing platforms are used about six times more than fixed wing platforms.

While the Section 333 process continues to unlock the potential of UAS technology, AUVSI emphasized that regulating by exemption is no substitute for finalized rules.

“While some businesses are flying, this current system of case-by-case approvals isn’t a long-term solution. For the full potential of the UAS commercial market to be realized in the U.S., the FAA needs to finalize its small UAS rule, without further delays.” Wynne said. “Once this happens, we will have an established framework for UAS that will reduce the barriers to commercial operations. The positive effects of the regulation will be felt by companies across the nation.”

An economic impact study released by AUVSI found the UAS industry will create more than 100,000 new jobs and more than $82 billion in economic impact within the first ten years following UAS integration.

The complete analysis is available at http://www.auvsi.org/exemptions