PARIS – Paris was a drone zone yesterday. The city hosted its first Drone Festival, including an international race along the Champs-Elysees.
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Drones of varying shapes and sizes were zipping along the famed avenue, lined with trees and luxury stores, in a circuit that stopped just shy of the Arc de Triomphe.
While drones are increasingly used by French security services, civilians are forbidden from flying them over Paris without special permission. Paris City Hall authorized them for the event, aimed at introducing the public to France's civilian drone industry.
Back at home, the FAA put into effect new drone rules that include a weight limit of 55 lbs. and a time restriction of flying drones in daylight only. The unmanned aircraft must also stay within the pilot's visual line of sight in the US.