Effective August 2016
https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515 (https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=20515)
"Today, the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration has finalized the first operational rules (PDF) for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or "drones"), opening pathways towards fully integrating UAS into the nation's airspace. These new regulations work to harness new innovations safely, to spur job growth, advance critical scientific research and save lives."
And in a somewhat related story:
http://capvolunteernow.com/todays-features/?cap_providing_escorts_for_daily_mq9_flight_operations_in_ny&show=news&newsID=22070 (http://capvolunteernow.com/todays-features/?cap_providing_escorts_for_daily_mq9_flight_operations_in_ny&show=news&newsID=22070)
"Civil Air Patrol begins daily flight operations with Air National Guard 174th Attack Wing MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft in western New York today, part of an agreement between CAP and the Air National Guard that allows for MQ-9 training from Hancock Field Air National Guard Base and Syracuse Hancock International Airport."
(http://capvolunteernow.com/file.cfm/media/news/NYdrone2_5ABEC3F9E4419.jpg)
Super cool MQ-9 escort mission :clap: :clap: :clap: "Once the MQ-9 is airborne, the CAP plane will trail it, with the two aircraft staying within a few hundred feet of each other. The CAP aircrew will remain with the MQ-9 until it has reached restricted military airspace."
This would be a great mission for the Mojave Desert area!!
Perhaps 60-1 CHAPTER 2, 2-1. c. needs to be amended slightly :)