BNSF to begin using aerial drones with cameras

Website Xconomy.com is reporting that BNSF Railway will begin using aerial drones equipped with cameras to “conduct regular inspections of railway infrastructure and rights of way.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration website, any operation that does not meet the statutory criteria for a public aircraft operation is considered a civil aircraft operation and must be conducted in accordance with all FAA regulations applicable to the operation.

A recent report in the St. Cloud Times says BNSF received an exemption to operate unmanned aerial vehicles for “evaluation and analysis of railroad infrastructure and operations.”