Thanks to all who attended, spoke, and exhibited at the Midwest Drone Conference and Expo!  We had great crowds; general sessions and break-outs were packed; and the trade show had visitors lined up at every booth waiting to see the latest in UAV technology.

Everyone was buzzing about the messages from Mark Foisy, Flight Safety Director and head of UAV operations in the FAA's Chicago Regional office (and many came the second day to hear him again as he was addressing the non-farm audience.)  He said register yourself as an operator (www.faa.gov/uas) and put your assigned number on your drone(s); get your Section 333 exemption to operate commercially until the commercial rules are finalized this summer; and know if you are flying within the protected 5-mile radius of an airport or 2-mile radius of a heliport (e.g. hospital). To be within the law, until the commercial rules establish rules for a drone pilot, you would need an FAA-licensed pilot to fly it.  There are probably more around that you realize and a local airport could identify quite a few who might want to pick up a small fee for providing that service.  

There was also a lot of more quiet concern about management of risk, related to operating a drone.  Several great insurance speakers urged everyone to get a commercial policy.  Independent insurance agents have access to companies with those.  The speakers said the only company of which they were aware that provided a drone rider on a farm policy was Grinnell.

Many conference attendees asked about PowerPoint presentations and videos.  Those will be posted as we can get them at:  www.midwestdroneshow.com.  Check regularly, hopefully all up by mid-February.

Many attendees and exhibitors also asked the dates for next year.  Those have not been set, nor any discussion yet on a follow up.  Stand by, we'll keep you informed!