FAA Approves Drone Flights over its Disney US Theme Parks

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With the FAA’s application approval of drone flight use for Disney’s nighttime spectacular at US theme parks is exciting news for Disney and Disney fans alike.

For Disney, who has been working on drone technology for use in the parks for the last couple of years in many different capacities , and although the technology itself is now ready, a number of FAA restrictions had stood in the way.

An application for the FAA restrictions on drone use to be lifted was filed back in October 2015, and a waiver has now been granted.

screenshot-2016-11-12-08-08-38So what does this all mean for Disney? Well Disney can now operate drones during nighttime, in multiples, and over Special Security Notice Flight Restriction Areas and Class G airspace. The waiver is effective from November 1 2016 to November 30 2020.

Although Disney has not made any announcements about drone use in the parks, all of the existing nighttime shows could be enhanced with their inclusion. And of course, entirely new shows could be developed with the technology, perhaps bringing night shows to locations that were previously unsuitable.

You can read the full FAA waiver document here

Main Photo credit: Patent Yogi

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