FAA OKs First Commercial Drone Flights Over Land

(RTTNews) - The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday that it has given approval for British oil giant BP Plc (BP, BP.L) and U.S. unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) to fly an AeroVironment Puma AE for aerial surveys in Alaska.

This is the first time the FAA has authorized a commercial unmanned aircraft systems operation over land.

The FAA issued a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization to survey BP pipelines, roads and equipment at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the largest oilfield in the United States.

AeroVironment performed the first flight for BP on June 8. The company has been selected by BP to provide mapping, Geographic Information System and other commercial information services at its Prudhoe Bay oil field for a five-year period.