Want To Fly A Drone? There's An App For That

The Federal Aviation Administration has heavily regulated the use of drones in the U.S., as concerns about safety and privacy overshadow the developing technology.

For hobbyists, the lengthy regulations can be difficult to interpret; however, the FAA is hoping to cut down on unknowing violators by releasing a smartphone app that will tell users whether or not their drone flight is prohibited.

Simple To Operate

The new app is expected to launch in the coming months and will be made as simple as possible to encourage widespread use. The FAA's Michael Huerta said it will only take a user "a few taps" to determine whether or not their location is safe for flight.

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Called B4UFLY, the app will give users a yes or no based on their location. This summer, a beta version of the app will be released to around 1,000 Apple users and an Android version is expected to follow soon after.

Cutting Down On Accidents

The app's announcement comes as more concerns about the safety of drone flights have begun to surface in the media.

Earlier this year a hobbyist accidentally crashed a drone within the secure premises of the White House, raising questions about how to effectively prevent such risks. The FAA has said the new app is expected to cut down on unintentional illegal flights by making the drone regulations more accessible to the average person.