Draganfly Secures Rare FAA Waiver for Urban Drone Operations in Boston

Canadian drone manufacturer Draganfly received a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing limited drone operations over people and moving vehicles in Boston. The company announced the approval through an official FAA filing and press release.

The waiver provides specific exemptions to FAA Part 107 regulations, permitting controlled drone flights over non-participants and traffic under strict operational guidelines. This regulatory development enables Draganfly to advance testing in medical delivery and emergency response applications, reports Boston.com.

Currently, Draganfly is conducting a pilot program with Mass General Brigham’s Home Hospital initiative. The company recently completed initial proof-of-concept test flights, including takeoff and landing trials within hospital infrastructure. While these tests haven’t yet involved active medical deliveries, they aim to demonstrate how drones could reduce delays in transporting medical supplies and laboratory samples.

The FAA waiver includes specific operational restrictions. Drones weighing more than 0.088 pounds cannot operate over open-air assemblies such as concerts, parades, and sporting events. The authorization prohibits sustained flights – defined as loitering, hovering, or continuous overflight – over moving vehicles or non-participating individuals. Night operations are not permitted.

According to CEO Cameron Chell, flight paths will primarily follow existing infrastructure corridors. “As much as possible, they’re going to avoid flight overtop of people,” Chell explained. “But there will be sections where it’s going to have to cross overtop of a highway or a freeway.”

Safety measures include real-time GPS tracking, visual monitoring, and an emergency parachute system. All flights require pre-approved plans and complete logging. Draganfly emphasizes these protocols reflect years of regulatory scrutiny to ensure public safety.

The American Civil Liberties Union has identified both benefits and risks of expanded drone operations. While recognizing potential emergency response applications, the organization has documented concerns about aerial surveillance. Draganfly confirms its Mass General Brigham pilot flights do not record video footage, with Chell noting different protocols apply for law enforcement operations.

Beyond medical delivery testing, Draganfly maintains several other business segments. The company works with U.S. Department of Defense approved entities and provides services in agricultural, environmental, and insurance sectors. Their public safety division offers support for law enforcement, border patrol, and Search and Rescue operations.

Looking ahead, Draganfly plans to explore “Drone as First Responder” initiatives, potentially enabling rapid delivery of emergency medical supplies like insulin, EpiPens, and automated external defibrillators. However, Chell emphasizes the company’s focus remains on public safety and medical applications rather than consumer delivery services.

This development represents another step in integrating drone operations into urban environments, while highlighting ongoing discussions about safety protocols and privacy considerations. As testing continues, Draganfly’s Boston operations may provide insights into the practical challenges of urban drone integration.

Photos courtesy of Draganfly