Frequently Asked Questions
- How much will a drone cost my department?
Drones are relatively inexpensive to purchase. An entry-level aircraft can be purchased for as little as $800. The more functionality and complexity you require increases the cost.
- How hard is a drone to fly?
Most drones will pretty much fly themselves. They require minimal user-input and rely on GPS and other navigation equipment to stabilize and fly.
- How long can a drone fly for?
Drones can fly anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on the airframe, battery and how they are flown. Currently, we have not seen drones that fly for more than 60 minutes on a single battery.
- How far away can a drone fly?
The only limit to how far drones can fly is the battery life. That being said, the operator needs to maintain visual contact with the drone. Given their small size, most drones can be reliably seen out to about a mile.
- What qualifications do we need to fly a drone?
Currently, there are no regulations defining what training or qualifications are needed to operate a sUAS. The FAA only reviews the overall training program and operational procedures for a department to fly an aircraft.
- What is a COA and how do we get one?
A COA is a Certificate of Authorization issued by the FAA. It is the approval for a department to operate sUAS in the National Airspace System (NAS). The application process can take 60 to 120 days. Our team can help your department document and file for approval.