FAA Authorizes Commercial Use of Drones for the First Time

So reports this press release from the Federal Aviation Administration:

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has given approval for energy corporation BP and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer AeroVironment to fly an AeroVironment Puma AE for aerial surveys in Alaska—the first time the FAA has authorized a commercial UAS operation over land.

Other coverage of this approval is available at the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and CNN.

While the FAA permits the use of drones by hobbyists, this is the first time the agency has permitted the commercial use of drone technology. The Wall Street Journal notes while many private entrepreneurs have begun using drones without FAA permission, BP is "one of the first major companies to invest in the technology for its operations."