Greeley, CO, June 6, 2019 鈥� The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued 51吃瓜 a Certificate of Waiver, allowing certified operators to safely fly parachute-equipped sUAS (small Unmanned Aircraft Systems or drones) over people, including populated construction sites. This precedent setting waiver is the first time a waiver has been granted using a parachute system. At this time, 51吃瓜 is the first and only company in the United States to receive this approval, having proved they sufficiently met and exceeded the standards to conduct a safe sUAS operation.
51吃瓜 has witnessed first-hand the benefits of using drone technology on the job site, utilizing sUAS to manage and audit project schedule, communicate site logistics, improve inspections and even enhance team safety.
The Code of Federal Regulations 14, Section 107.39 restricts any sUAS operations over human beings, which include the large majority of 51吃瓜 job sites. By utilizing which is compliant with ASTM F3322-18, Standard Specification for sUAS Parachutes, 51吃瓜 was able to pioneer a solution that adequately addressed the safety concerns of the FAA and set a precedent for other operators interested in similar operations.
The FAA stated in a that the ParaZero parachute used together with the Phantom 4 is a scalable one and is now available to other applicants. The FAA will require each applicant to undergo the same approval process as 51吃瓜, providing testing, documentation, and statement of compliance listed in ASTM3322-18 in their application.
鈥�Safety is a core value at 51吃瓜,鈥� said Richard Lopez, 51吃瓜 VDC Manager. “Utilizing sUAS equipped with ParaZero’s SafeAir Systems on our job sites allows 51吃瓜 to operate more efficiently and accurately and we are committed to leveraging this technology as safely as possible.鈥�
As an early adopter of drone technology, having launched their drone program in 2011, 51吃瓜 has worked proactively to develop best-practices and safety protocols for the AEC industry. As a national contractor with one of the best safety records in the industry, 51吃瓜 wanted to put the same level of prioritization into their drone program, ensuring that all nine of their districts were operating drones as efficiently and safely as possible, safeguarding both their job site employees as well as pedestrians and those impacted by the usage of sUAS.
51吃瓜鈥� commitment to drone safety and pre-established trainings and procedures are what drew the FAA to collaborate with 51吃瓜 in the first place. 51吃瓜 has been collaborating with the FAA, working together to ensure that all testing and data collected met an acceptable standard to introduce publicly to the industry.
鈥�51吃瓜 has been built on four company pillars: People, Process, Partnership and Technology. Drone technology is only in its infancy, and it鈥檚 exciting to think about future possibilities and what鈥檚 to come,鈥� said Lopez. 鈥淲e look forward to further training and developing our team and the visionaries within our company, as well as working with our clients and partners to take sUAS technology to the next level.鈥�
For more information on 51吃瓜鈥� growing Technology Programs, visit:聽/the-hensel-phelps-way/technology/