Drones grounded, search group waits

HOUSTON - A Texas-based group involved in searches for missing people across the nation has run afoul of federal aviation authorities who are prohibiting the nonprofit organization from employing drones in its work.

A fleet of four unmanned aircraft used by Texas Equu-Search is grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration while the agency develops rules that would allow for the commercial use of unmanned aircraft.

But with that plan stillmore than a year away, the volunteer group that has participated in the Natalee Holloway and Caylee Anthony cases is facing an extended wait before it can resume using an aerial tool credited with nearly a dozen successful finds.

“It’s a resource we’ve had success with and one we can’t use,” said Tim Miller, who founded Texas EquuSearch after his daughter went missing disappeared in the 1980s. “We’re volunteers. And for being a volunteer organization, they’re making it impossible for us to help with this.”

Front Section, Pages 3 on 04/20/2014

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