US clears commercial drone flights

US federal regulators say they have granted the first permission for commercial drone flights over land.

The Federal Aviation Administration has given approval to UK energy giant BP and unmanned aircraft manufacturer AeroVironment to conduct aerial surveys of pipelines, roads and equipment at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.

The first flight, by a Puma drone, took place on Sunday.

Made by AeroVironment, the Puma is a small, hand-launched craft about 4ft 6in long with a 9ft wingspan.

The FAA approved the use of the Puma and the ScanEagle drone, made by a Boeing subsidiary, over the Arctic Ocean last summer.

Last week, the agency said it was considering giving permission to seven film-making companies to use drones, a potentially significant step that could lead to greater relaxation of the agency’s ban on commercial drone use.