It has been hard to miss stories about drones in the past we few weeks. A flurry of speculation was sparked after drones were allegedly spotted hovering over parts of New Jersey. Were they spying on residents? Conducting secret tests? Aliens? Or hobby drone pilots not following the rules of the sky?

While it is easy for those who aren’t familiar with the work of drones to imagine the negative possibilities, the truth about drones—especially in commercial and non-military applications— is far more beneficial than many realize. 

Federal agencies have stepped in to look into the sighting and address public concerns to quell some of this speculation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Defense (DoD) issued a joint statement underscoring their collaborative efforts to investigate the reports and ensure public safety. The statement noted that most of the reported activity is a combination of “lawful commercial drones, hobbyist drones and law enforcement drones” as well as other aircraft “mistakenly reported as drones”. 

What’s a “lawful commercial” drone?

So, if the drones that people are noticing are “commercial” drones, what does that mean? This question is not one that has been particularly well addressed by the media, highlighting a gap in public knowledge and in education and outreach efforts by the users of commercial drones, or “uncrewed aerial vehicles” (UAVs). 

Right now, for better or worse, the general public is most familiar with two types of drones: those used in military operations overseas (e.g., for combat or surveillance), and the hobby drones used primarily in media and real estate to take photos and videos from the air. However, a third type—those “lawful commercial drones”—are part of a rapidly-growing industry that are finding solutions for challenging real-world problems, keeping people out of harmful environments, increasing our ability to inspect complex infrastructure, and so much more. 

As officials continue work to address public concerns about recent sightings (and future ones), it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the potential of commercial uncrewed aerial vehicles. They are not just tools of innovation—they are tools of progress, largely helping to keep people out of harms way, get a more detailed look at the world around us, or help us to solve complex problems.

Commercial drones are a type of drones that many are not familiar with - and are completely different than military and combat drones (left) or hobby/photograph drones (right).

At Commercial UAV News and Commercial UAV Expo, exhibitors and pilots and agencies have been showcasing the clever, innovative, and life-saving ways in which drones are being applied:

  • Bridges and Overpasses: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can be used to inspect hard-to-reach areas, detecting cracks, corrosion, or structural weaknesses (lessening danger to inspectors). 
  • Cell Towers and Communication Infrastructure: UAVs can reduce the need for technicians to climb towers, capturing detailed imagery and identifying maintenance needs safely and efficiently.
  • Power Line Inspection: UAVs fly along transmission lines to detect faults, corrosion, or vegetation encroachment, preventing outages and reducing inspection time.
  • Search and rescue/disaster recovery: UAVs can often get into storm-damaged areas more effectively than vehicles, especially in the immediate aftermath of storms, and have been used for hurricane rescue and recovery efforts, as well as damage assessment. 
  • Crop Monitoring: UAVs with multispectral sensors can track plant health, detect disease outbreaks, track invasive species, and assess water stress to optimize yields.
  • Precision Spraying: Some drones can be equipped with a tank that allows them to apply fertilizers or pesticides only where needed, reducing chemical use and environmental impact over more wide-area spraying
  • Progress Monitoring: Drones provide aerial views of construction sites, documenting progress in real time and offering updates for project managers and stakeholders in less time.
  • Wind Turbine Maintenance: Drones inspect turbine blades for damage, minimizing downtime and eliminating the risks of human inspection at height.
  • Solar Farm Inspection: Drones can check the functionality and status of large solar farms, reducing the time for repairs or upgrades. 
  • Topographic Mapping: UAVs can create detailed 3D maps of terrain using lidar or photogrammetry, aiding in land development and planning.
  • Mining Operations: Drones have been used to monitor stockpile volumes, assess excavation sites, and improve safety by providing detailed, real-time data.
  • Roadway Assessments: Drones survey roads for damage, identifying potholes or areas requiring resurfacing without disrupting traffic.
  • Railway Inspections: UAVs scan tracks for obstructions, wear, or alignment issues, ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

The drones that are put to work for these applications can range in size, fuel, and what sensors they carry. Most are specially equipped only for the specific task at hand, and often have a limited flight time. Most commercial drones also take time to learn, and are only flown by skilled pilots. They also have safety protocols built in that help them to avoid collisions, land safely, and reduce risk to anyone nearby. These specialized drones can also be very expensive, which would be cost-prohibitive for bad actors who would want to use them for purposes other than intended. 

A highly-regulated industry

The industry is also subject to intense regulation from the FAA, including requirements for drones to provide identifying information at all times (known as “Remote ID”), strict regulations on where drones can and cannot fly, specific waivers and other permissions are needed for flying long-distances and out of the line of sight from an operator (Beyond Visual Line of Sight, a.k.a BVLOS) and a license requirement for all drone pilots (Part 107). So, while the industry is growing and expanding, it’s far from a “wild west.” 

A recent piece on the drone sightings from Vox summarized it well, “The reality is that we are only beginning to wake up to just how thoroughly ubiquitous drones will change the skies and change our lives … On balance, that’s a good thing … What’s been happening all along the Northeast isn’t a foreign invasion or visiting aliens or a secret military project (probably). Instead, it’s a glimpse of a future that’s almost here.”

Drones may be small, but their impact is anything but. By embracing their positive contributions and fostering informed discussions about their use, we can ensure that this technology continues to serve as a force for good. 

That drone might be inspecting a bridge to keep it safe for your commute, helping a farmer grow healthier crops, or even assisting first responders in a life-saving mission. Far from being mysterious or menacing, commercial drones are quietly revolutionizing industries and solving problems in ways that are faster, safer, and often more sustainable than traditional methods.

So the next time you see a drone in the sky, don’t worry—it’s likely up to something great.