Drones, they've been causing big problems for the Federal Aviation Administration and are being spotted more frequently in the skies above North Texas.
On Sunday, the FAA released a proposal for new rules regarding unmanned aerial systems, better known as drones or unmanned area vehicles (UAVs), to improve safety in the skies while still giving people the freedom to fly.
In just the last year there have been several high profile examples of what the FAA is trying to crack down on.
According to FAA data, in October a drone crashed near Dallas Love Field. Last July, an Envoy Air flight heading to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport reported a drone at 3,000 feet passing 500 feet off to its left side at the same elevation.
And in June 2014, a man posted a YouTube video showing his drone over AT&T Stadium before it crashed into the building. The man later said he was flying at 700 feet and lost radio control.
The FAA isn't alone in trying to end such dangerous drone operations, as rule-abiding drone users are just as concerned.
Chad Frazer is the president of North Texas Drone Users Group. He believes drones are just starting to emerge and become a part of the culture. Frazer sees major positive impacts from drone use, particularly in his area of interest, search and rescue.
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"Search and rescue will be revolutionized," Frazer said. "I can summon six or seven operators in under an hour to go search for somebody. But until the FAA posts these rules and we're following these rules, that's not something we would do."
Frazer assisted in a drone search for missing Fort Worth woman Christina Morris in Collin County last year. In order to use the drone the searchers had to get special FAA permission.
But under the new rules released on Sunday, there's a chance that may not be required for drones 55 pounds or lighter. Under the proposal, drones can only be flown during daylight hours, below 500 feet at 100 mph or less and five miles away from airports.
Pilots would have to maintain constant visual contact with the drone and would be required to hold a new FAA certificate.
"I don't know what they're going to require, but I understand it because piloting a drone is not the same as a manned aircraft," Frazer said.
To see the entire proposal click here.
The FAA said on Sunday the proposal is to keep the skies safe without over regulating the emerging industry. So far, Frazer likes what he's hearing.
"I think this is a great direction, at least from the stand point of the little guy," Frazer said.
The FAA also said in its proposal that it's considering a different classification for drones 4.4 pounds or lighter.
The FAA will now take input from the public as it works to finalize the proposal into new rules, which could take two to three years.
