The Federal Aviation Administration released an app Friday to help drone users stay up to speed on whether it is safe and legal to operate an unmanned aircraft at the site.
The smartphone app, named B4UFLY, will be in a beta test phase for the next few months. Up to 1,000 members of industry, government and the public have been invited to test the app and work out any software problems before the final version is available to the rest of the public.
The main feature on the B4UFLY app will include an indicator that will inform the unmanned aircraft operator of the restriction and requirement status of a desired flight path. For example, if a designated trajectory is not impeded by any restrictions, a “clear status” icon will appear.
According to the FAA, the status indicator takes into account “airspace, proximity to airports, temporary flight restrictions, current law and other FAA guidance and procedures.”
The app will also offer explanations for any flight path limitations, interactive maps and links to related FAA information.
B4UFLY was first announced by FAA Administrator Michael Huerta in May.
“While there are other apps that provide model aircraft enthusiast with various types of data, we believe B4UFLY has the most user-friendly interface and the most up-to-date information,” Huerta said.
The FAA says the app will act as a companion to its education campaign, “Know Before You Fly,” which seeks to help recreational drone users learn the rules of flight.
The app in its beta form is available to iOS devices only, but will be rolled out for Android phones once the final product is released.
In mid-August, the agency reported an increase in the number of “near misses” between passenger jets and drones, 650 sightings this year.
Currently, unauthorized recreational drones are forbidden from flying within five miles of airports or above 400 feet, but keeping track of all the devices has proven difficult as the remote-controlled aircraft become increasingly popular with the public.
In a report released in July, the Consumer Electronics Association estimates that the number of drones sold in the U.S. market will approach 700,000 units.
On August 19, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he plans to propose legislation that would require all drones to include technology that would prevent them from entering “no fly” zones, otherwise known as “geofencing.”
