Video: Aviation Officials go Over Drone Rules

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – They were one of the hottest items on Christmas lists across the country. Drones have been flying off the shelves in recent years.

With an abundance of aircraft filling the skies, area aviation experts are educating the public on how – when – and where they can fly.

Officials from the Air Force, FAA, and Golden Triangle Regional Airport hosted “Drones 101” Thursday. While the craft have dozens of recreational and commercial uses, according to airport director Mike Hainsey, for pilots it boils down to one thing.

“It’s all about safety. This Christmas over a million drones were purchased in the United States alone, and as people will start flying them in the airspace where manned aircraft are it’s very important that they understand where they can do it safely, so we can keep the two apart.”

Industry officials estimate that over 700,000 drones were sold last year alone.