Industry group publishes safety resource on operating drones near communication towers
Photo: Onfokus/iStockphoto
Watertown, SD – The National Association of Tower Erectors has released guidance on the safe operation of small drones near cellular, broadcast and electrical distribution towers, as well as wireless infrastructure.
The document, released June 1, is intended for tower technicians, ground personnel, flight operators and members of the public. It provides guidance on:
- Federal Aviation Administration requirements
- Flight operations
- Training stipulations
- Documentation
- Safety reporting
- Emergency procedures
- Noise control
- Weather
- Hours of operation
The NATE Unmanned Aerial Systems Committee produced the document in collaboration with stakeholders from the commercial drone industry.
“NATE is excited to offer this informative resource to the industry in order to provide important UAS operational and regulatory information to the workers and stakeholders in the communications tower industry,” NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway said in a press release. “This is the first of several best practices documents the NATE UAS Committee ultimately plans to develop as further regulatory clarity emerges surrounding UAS technologies.”
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