Texas-based drone builder Hylio has received a regulatory exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing it to swarm its heavy-lift drones with only one operator in control. This development is a result of regulations finally catching up with current technology, according to Hylio’s co-founder and CEO Arthur Erickson. He believes that this change will significantly increase productivity for drone operators who are using drones to apply material to crops, as well as reduce their labor requirements.
Previously, if a drone weighed over 55 pounds, it required not only a pilot per drone but also a second person serving as a visual observer. This regulation seemed outdated and counterintuitive to the purpose of drones, which are designed to fly autonomously. With this new exemption, one operator can now command three drones at once, allowing for a significant increase in productivity. This change will enable a single operator to cover three times as much ground, boosting productivity by three-fold.
At the moment, the exemption only applies to Hylio and its products. However, Erickson anticipates that the FAA will soon establish a general set of requirements that will include other manufacturers of similar drones. This change is expected to revolutionize the drone industry and streamline operations for drone operators.
