On Friday the FAA granted Section 333 authorization for commercial use of 3DR drones to two companies, BNSF Railway and Build Imagery. The exemptions will not only allow these companies to use 3DR drones for business purposes, but will also enable all parties to continue to test and refine drone technology for industrial applications. This is big news not just for the companies involved but for the industry as a whole—a model for a successful collaborative triad of government regulators, drone companies and commercial interests.

3DR modified and optimized its drones over the course of a months-long collaboration with the companies so the vehicles would meet specific demands both for heavy-duty industrial applications and for FAA compliance. As a result, Build Imagery will now operate the 3DR IRIS+ on architectural, engineering and construction industry sites, as well as in motion picture and television filming, and BNSF Railway will operate the new 3DR Spektre Industrial Multirotor Aerial Vehicle for inspection on railroad infrastructure and operations. The FAA reports that 640 petitions for commercial use have been docketed, with only 45 exemptions granted; however, dozens of approvals are apparently still in the pipeline.