Story ID: 
FAA Surveys Commercial Drone Operators 
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: The agency seeks to understand how they are used, and how their operators would like to receive information on drone-related issues.
Word Count: 189
The FAA wants to hear from those who have registered a commercial drone to find out more about how and where they are using them. It recently sent an e-mail questionnaire to the owners of nearly 100,000 drones that have been registered as a commercial unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The survey population also includes government departments and other users, except recreational users and hobbyists.

According to the FAA, the goal is to collect information on drone flight activities under the FAR Part 107 small drone rule, which is applicable to unmanned aircraft under 55 pounds. The FAA said the data will “improve the services it delivers to the UAS community.”

Survey questions include the number of drones registered, number and types of missions completed in 2017, primary locations where the operator flies, and types of waivers requested. The survey also asks how operators want to get information about drone-related issues from the FAA, and how satisfied they are with drone news channels they use now. 

Responses to the questionnaire are voluntary, anonymous, and entered electronically. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, the agency said.