The Washington Post reports that “the FAA offered drone proponents some cause for optimism as it announced the Pathfinder Program, which includes plans to work with two companies on extended line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight operations.”  

“To fully harness the potential of drones to reshape our world for the better, it’s universally agreed that these unmanned systems will have to fly outside of a pilot’s line of sight. A search and rescue operation, delivery service or precision-farming operation won’t thrive unless a drone can fly far from its owner.”  

“PrecisionHawk, which manufactures drones, will explore on farms how extended line-of-sight can allow farmers to use drones to operate more efficiently. BNSF Railroad will look at command-and-control challenges to using drones to inspect railroad tracks in rural and isolated areas.”