FAA OKs Cumberland firm's use of drones
Cumberland-based firm Sevee & Maher Engineers said it was recently granted an exemption by federal regulators to use an unmanned aerial vehicle for commercial purposes.
Sevee & Maher announced earlier this month that it was granted the exemption by the Federal Aviation Administration. The firm said this makes it the first in Maine to be licensed to use an unmanned aerial vehicle, also known as a UAV or drone, for engineering-related services, adding that it's the second in Maine to receive FAA approval for commercial drone use.
“We are among a very small group of companies in the country with experience using this new technology for engineering purposes,” Guy Cote, the firm's president, said in a prepared statement.
Sevee & Maher said it is using a custom-built drone to perform aerial surveys, prepare topographic maps and [take] 3D photos, among other things.The firmsaid it decided to buy a drone because of the need to quickly produce detailed photogrammetry and survey information of project site conditions as they exist at a certain point in time.
Sevee & Maher said its approval comes as the the commercial use of drones has accelerated, forcing the FAA to create new rules to accommodate them and other companies seeking to use drones.
“The infancy of the system has created a bit of a moving target for those attempting to gain exemption,” the firm said. “Regulations are constantly changing and will most likely continue to change for the foreseeable future. In order to stay in compliance, diligent monitoring and adjusting to the latest UAV legislation is required.”
The video below shows a 3D map created using footage from the firm's drone.
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