This is a big step towards the legal use of drones I believe. I never heard of this company but it seems they've been working hard with a nice focus. Nice design too with the small exchangeable 'sensor' bay. More info on the certification can be fount at http://www.uasvision.com/2012/10/03/french-civil-aviation-authority-awards-first-uas-authorisation-to-fly-over-100km-in-civil-airspace/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=0c16e3ea51-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN
Comments
Well you're not far off...you do need a pilot's license and a minimum of 100 hours as a pilot in order to fly drones. On top of that plenty of paperwork...but it's been done ;o)
I for one am very surprised that the French Authorities gave them the go ahead, in a country where you need to have a diploma to be a "farm hand", and need a license and insurance to be in a bar snooker team.
This is nice to hear, the plane does not look specialized though from my observation. Looks very much like my swift comp. glider frame made of carbon. So I wonder what under the hood made the difference?