A USGS crew used new drone technology to test and evaluate new technology to measure water speed from the air without touching the water. This drone footage was taken on the Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri on March 27, 2019. Scientists compared these new method results to the conventional way of taking measurements from a boat.
Does the USGS need flight approval to operate uncrewed aircraft systems?
Yes, approval is required for operating uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The USGS receives flight approval from the Federal Aviation Administration prior to every UAS mission. The official document is referred to as a Certificate of Authorization and Waiver. It is the approval process by which the Federal Aviation Administration allows for public agencies to operate UAS in the National Airspace System.
Learn more: Documents about UAS policy and guidance within the Department of the Interior
Related
How does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems? How does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems?
What types of uncrewed aircraft systems does the USGS use? What types of uncrewed aircraft systems does the USGS use?
What does the USGS do with the information, pictures, and video collected by uncrewed aircraft systems? What does the USGS do with the information, pictures, and video collected by uncrewed aircraft systems?
What restrictions are in place to protect citizens' civil liberties and privacy concerns related to uncrewed aircraft systems? What restrictions are in place to protect citizens' civil liberties and privacy concerns related to uncrewed aircraft systems?
What training do pilots of USGS uncrewed aircraft systems receive? What training do pilots of USGS uncrewed aircraft systems receive?
Why does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems? Why does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems?

A USGS crew used new drone technology to test and evaluate new technology to measure water speed from the air without touching the water. This drone footage was taken on the Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri on March 27, 2019. Scientists compared these new method results to the conventional way of taking measurements from a boat.

The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.
The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Putting Drones to Work for Scientific Research
By: Jeff Sloan, Geographer, Project Leader — USGS National Unmanned Systems Project Office
Putting Drones to Work for Scientific Research
By: Jeff Sloan, Geographer, Project Leader — USGS National Unmanned Systems Project Office
USGS revolutionizes data collection by surveying a river channel within the Redlands area using a drone.
USGS revolutionizes data collection by surveying a river channel within the Redlands area using a drone.
U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014 U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014
National Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office National Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office
Related
How does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems? How does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems?
What types of uncrewed aircraft systems does the USGS use? What types of uncrewed aircraft systems does the USGS use?
What does the USGS do with the information, pictures, and video collected by uncrewed aircraft systems? What does the USGS do with the information, pictures, and video collected by uncrewed aircraft systems?
What restrictions are in place to protect citizens' civil liberties and privacy concerns related to uncrewed aircraft systems? What restrictions are in place to protect citizens' civil liberties and privacy concerns related to uncrewed aircraft systems?
What training do pilots of USGS uncrewed aircraft systems receive? What training do pilots of USGS uncrewed aircraft systems receive?
Why does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems? Why does the USGS use uncrewed aircraft systems?

A USGS crew used new drone technology to test and evaluate new technology to measure water speed from the air without touching the water. This drone footage was taken on the Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri on March 27, 2019. Scientists compared these new method results to the conventional way of taking measurements from a boat.
A USGS crew used new drone technology to test and evaluate new technology to measure water speed from the air without touching the water. This drone footage was taken on the Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri on March 27, 2019. Scientists compared these new method results to the conventional way of taking measurements from a boat.

The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.
The 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption marked the first time the federal government used Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to assist in an eruption response in the United States.

On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
On September 25, 2018, a team of three scientists based at the USGS–Cascades Volcano Observatory conducted the first-ever USGS-led Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) campaign at Mount St. Helens. The UAS survey was conducted with the permission and coordination of the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Putting Drones to Work for Scientific Research
By: Jeff Sloan, Geographer, Project Leader — USGS National Unmanned Systems Project Office
Putting Drones to Work for Scientific Research
By: Jeff Sloan, Geographer, Project Leader — USGS National Unmanned Systems Project Office
USGS revolutionizes data collection by surveying a river channel within the Redlands area using a drone.
USGS revolutionizes data collection by surveying a river channel within the Redlands area using a drone.