In an exclusive video, Joe Paiva of GeoLearn talks about where the FAA stands on UAS legislation and helps viewers understand its current status.

Proponents of UAS have seen the decision by the administrative law judge from the National Transportation Safety Board as permission to fly without any need for FAA oversight. However this is a simplification. First, the appeals process has not been exhausted. That doesn’t mean that the FAA will prevail, but the issues are not black and white.

A look at how surveyors and geospatial professionals can use the outline to prepare for unmanned aircraft systems.

Knowledge is power. That was the takeaway from remarks by keynote speaker Brian Matsubara and David Totman at the Esri 2013 Survey Summit, held July 6-9 in San Diego. And knowledge about GIS was a main focus of the summit.

2014 will herald a new world where unmanned airborne systems (UAS) will perform a host of useful tasks for government and private industry. It is not a bad idea for those involved in collecting and using geospatial data to begin thinking of the implications.

We’re still looking at years, not months, before the skies open up for commercial use of these innovative geospatial data collection devices. But don’t wait to begin planning. There are things you can do now to prepare for the coming market shift.

While geomatics professionals typically map elevations and natural and cultural features, very often we also map other types of specific data that is of interest to our clients. Thermal mapping is more of this—identifying thermal areas of interest and geocoding them. Is there a market for this service? Bluesky thinks so.

This week, FARO is holding its 3D Documentation Conference in Orlando, Fla. For those looking to add another dimension to their professional services, 3D documentation—whether providing the documentation or providing support services for the creation of 3D documentation—can offer new opportunities.

On Feb. 6, the U.S. Senate passed the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act. The most significant aspects of this bill are several deadlines set for the FAA, including a full integration of UAS in the national airspace system (AS) by Sept. 30, 2015.

While some will call it heresy, I consider mapping to be the spectrum of technical and professional activities within which surveying falls.