'Flixels' Will Be Used For Entertainment Purposes

UAVs will likely soon be a common sight over Walt Disney Company theme parks in Florida and California after the FAA issued a waiver for their use to the entertainment giant.

But don't think you'll be flying your personal drone at the parks. The waiver only applies to aircraft owned and operated by the company for entertainment purposes.

Disney first applied for the waiver last year. The aircraft, called "Flixels", will be used for fireworks shows and other displays. It also allows nighttime use of the aircraft. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the FAA said in issuing its waiver that the company hs "established adequate mitigation for risks."

The company's theme parks have been no-fly zones since 2003, a fact that Disney used in applying for its waiver. In the application, the company said that allowing drones to fly over the parks "will not interrupt national airspace activity."

The company said in its application that the aircraft will fly mostly over water, at a maximum altitude of 150 feet AGL and away from guest areas at all times.

FMI: www.faa.gov/uas