FAA Lets BP Fly First Commercial Drone Flights Over U.S.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given oil giant BP permission to fly drones to conduct surveys in Alaska — the first time anyone has been allowed to fly unmanned vehicles over U.S. soil for commercial purposes.

BP will use an AeroVironment Puma AE to inspect its Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska, the largest oilfield in the country, according to the FAA's press release published Tuesday

"These surveys on Alaska’s North Slope are another important step toward broader commercial use of unmanned aircraft," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement. "The technology is quickly changing, and the opportunities are growing." Read more...