News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Cookeville now has an FFA certified drone pilot for the first time in about a year.
David Bailey was hired last July without the FAA certification, but with the understanding he would certified within one year of employment. Planning Department Director Jon Ward said using the drone has been beneficial for the city.
“With the drone, we’ve just found it to be a very useful tool and are happy that we now have a licensed pilot back on the staff to operate it.”
Ward said department has used the drone for aerial photography for sites, progress construction developments, traffic counts on streets and intersections, and update aerial layers for the GIS system.
The previous GIS Manager was a licensed FAH drone pilot and resigned last year, Ward said. He said Bailey’s certification progress fell behind due to COVID-19
“You have to be licensed to operate [drones] for any type of…commercial use…I don’t think hobbyists are required to have any type of license,” Ward said. “For the purposes we use it, to have insurance through the city you definitely have to have that FAA certification or license.”
Since the Planning Department has used the drone, they’ve kept a policy that details the use, location, and times during the drone’s operation. Ward said they’ll present the policy to the city council for renewal Thursday.
