The Miami-Dade Police Department has always been an early adopter when it comes to new technologies. It was one of the first police agencies in the country to receive a Certificate of Authorization (COA) to operate small unmanned aircraft in the national airspace. However, after a year and a half Miami-Dade’s two new Honeywell T-Hawks have yet to see action in an operational mission.
“Dusty”, as the UAS is affectionately called due to its resemblance to an 80’s UK game show character, has been flown on numerous training missions and the MDPD plans to seek renewal of its certificate of authorization. However, current COA restrictions limit the UAS operation to no more than 300 feet AGL (T-Hawks can fly up to 9,000 feet and hover in midair.), visual line of sight of the operator, and daylight hours only. Operations must also be conducted outside the city limits. These limitations place the UAS operation well outside the useful mission profile foreseen for public safety deployment of such unmanned aircraft. MDPD hopes that these restrictions will be lifted in the not too distant future.
Read the full report in the Miami New Times…
Miami-Dade Police Ask FAA To Renew Drone License For Another Year
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs