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New FAA Regs Signal that Healthcare Drones Are On Their Way
Current FAA regs state that drones can't be operated outside of the operator's line of sight. But even that rule may be about to change.
The regulatory sea change could bring about a wave of innovative new uses for UAVs in the healthcare space. by michael levin-epstein Telehealth use of drones, already steadily on the rise, is expected to expand dramatically under new rules promulgated by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in late August. The FAA’s regulations —the agency’s first comprehensive set of rules governing the commercial use of unmanned aircraft— is explained in a 500+ page guidance document that details specific requirements for drone airspace use, pilot training, and operator requirements. The new rules represent a sea of changes in the way non-hobbyist drones are regulated in the United States. Prior to these rules, commercial businesses that wanted to use drones to deliver consumer goods, survey constructions sites, repair utility lines —or transport life-saving drugs —had to apply
it's 5am in rural rwanda and a woman just went into labor...
06:00 The laboring mother starts severely hemorrhaging and is in urgent need of blood.
by David Oh
20
Issue 7
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Telemedicine
for an exemption under Section 333 of the aviation statutes. These Section 333 exemptions were difficult to comply with and some types of operations were functionally almost legally impossible. Since September 2014, the FAA has granted thousands of exemptions for drones involved in certain industries — especially agriculture and entertainment — as well as telehealth. But the process was extremely cumbersome and time-consuming. Now, drone operators need to only complete a relatively simple application, and operate under less cumbersome restrictions than the Section 333 exemptions. Numerous industries, such as mining, surveying, insurance, real estate, law enforcement, security, and, especially consumer companies, from Amazon to Pizza Hut, are expected to take full advantage of the new opportunities. Indeed, the FAA already has approved
06:03 A nurse sends a text to Zipline, specifying the type of blood needed, and where it should be dropped.
06:10 The Zipline drone takes off from HQ using a slingshot-like launching device.
thousands of Part 107 remote pilot certificate applications in just two months. Telehealth use is expected to be a prime beneficiary for the new process, as hospitals, health care systems, and telehealth companies continue find both practical and creative ways to use drones for both emergency and more routine situations. “The creation of Part 107 lowers many barriers to entry for the health care industry to use drones for emergencies and everyday use,” asserts Jonathan Rupprecht, an aviation attorney and commercial pilot focusing on drone law. "Healthcare will not be any different than other industries being transformed by UAV technology. Solutions for search and rescue are obvious but other uses will develop that will help the elderly do tasks and maintain independence longer,” says Jeremy Tucker, DO, emergency physician, publisher of
Zipline can send blood up to 50 miles away at a speed of 60 miles/ hour and can carry 1.5 kg of blood.