First US testing site for commercial drones now functional

The first official commercial drones testing site is now functional at an area in North Dakota that has been certified to begin its tests.

According to The Verge, Federal Aviation Administration announced that a site in North Dakota has been certified to begin tests with the Draganflyer X4ES, a roughly 3-foot-wide, 5-pound quadcopter that comes equipped with a camera.

In order to check soil quality and the status of crops, test site operators will initiate drone tests in North Dakota State University's agriculture research division.

Of the 6 test sites, the North Dakota test site would also be responsible to carry out safety and maintenance data that the FAA can ultimately use to set airworthiness standards, added The Verge.

The tests will begin around the 5th of May and the site would help the FAA to develop rules for unmanned aerial vehicles, which according to the US Congress must be ready by 2015.

Other tests sites would be operational in Alaska, New York, Nevada, Virginia, and Texas.

These diverse locations will ensure that the drones are tested in an array of settings and climatic conditions, with main sustenance from universities and private enterprises.