New FAA drone rules favor ducted fan propulsors

An article from Fox Business posted Dec 28, 2020, titled “FAA brings commercial drone deliveries one step closer with new rules” highlights the new FAA rules for commercial drone usage. These new rules require that the drones have no exposed rotating parts — good news for Lectratek’s ducted fan propulsion systems. The final rules will be released in January.

Under the Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People rule, drones will be required to have … no exposed rotating parts that could potentially lacerate human skin… For example, if the propellers that provide lift and thrust for the small unmanned aircraft are internal to the unmanned aircraft, such as in a ducted fan configuration, and are incapable of making contact with a person as a result of an impact, then the parts would not be exposed, and the aircraft would satisfy this proposed requirement.

Drones are the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector, with over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots.

Lectratek is poised to provide the suitable propulsion systems as well as lightweight batteries required for electric flight.