Idaho-based Advanced Aviation Solutions (ADAVSO) provides drone service to vineyards and farmers

It looked like a hawk circling Bitner Vineyards http://bitnervineyards.com on Wednesday evening, but the low buzzing sound gave it away as something more mechanical.

The mechanical creature created by Empire Unmanned http://www.empireairlines.com/ , which is headquartered in Hayden, became the first commercial legal drone flown for agricultural purposes in the Treasure Valley. The Federal Aviation Administration recently began to permit commercial drones, creating a large opening for industry to start taking advantage of the systems for farming and other uses.

In Star, Idaho, Advanced Aviation Solutions – known as ADAVSO http://adavso.com/ – is providing such services for local businesses in partnership with Empire. The companies have started to contract the service out to agricultural entities. Personal use of drones is still allowed, but farmers and others cannot use drones for commercial purposes unless they have the special permit obtained by companies like Empire. It is the only company in Idaho and the 13th nationally to obtain the permission.

Kelcie Moseley Idaho Press-Tribune

Full Story: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/apr/23/idaho-company-contracts-drone-service-to-farmers/