College Suspends Drone Use Pending Federal Authorization
FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The use of a drone purchased by Hood College has been suspended until federal regulators decide whether to grant the school exceptions to the rule on drone usage.
The Frederick News-Post reports that school officials say the drone was bought to take aerial photos and videos of students and the campus for marketing purposes.
Officials say because the campus is about 3 miles from Frederick Municipal Airport, the college must seek exceptions from the Federal Aviation Administration, which states that a drone may not be flown within 5 miles of an airport unless airport officials are notified before the flight.
Hood spokesman Dave Diehl says the process could take about four months.
Diehl says the college will work with the FAA to comply with all rules concerning the airport.
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