Sen. Charles Schumer says the Federal Aviation Administration's proposed rules for small drones are a good first step, but he'd like to see expanded commercial uses and tighter privacy and safety rules.
The long-anticipated rules proposed Sunday will open an era in which small commercial unmanned aircraft perform routine tasks like crop monitoring, aerial photography, and inspections of bridges and cell towers.
Schumer said he'll continue to work with the FAA to expand eligible commercial uses for drones. He said he also has urged the agency to require that drones be equipped with geo-fencing technology that would limit where they can fly.
The proposed rules apply to drones that are less than 55 pounds. Final rules are probably two to three years away.
