32 replies to this topic

[Spydmobile]

Sorry for posting irresponsibly folks,   I should have read better before posting, I apologize and corrected my post. we have enough drama.
Franco

[David J]

In the UK I believe that it's 400ft max altitude without special permission, and not within 150 metres of population centres (those mixed measurement systems courtesy of the BMFA!).

In my village even that may be too high - we get several Apache helicopters over every day, some very low, and occasionally (once or twice a month) we get Chinooks pass by the village at VERY low altitude (tree-tops get blown about by the down-draft).  This is the joy of living quite close to major British Army barracks, and to various RAF and US bases!

[Kenn Sebesta]

Crash, on 05 December 2011 - 06:37 PM, said:

I was able to find 1 RC related death. (Heli pilot slit his own throat)
Granted, I didn't do an extensive search but it is a little hard to find data on a problem that simply does not exist.

Your definitions are overly restrictive. We're not talking remote control airplanes for fun around the local hobby strip, we're talking commercial use of US airspace.

[mk1spitfire]

David J, on 05 December 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

In the UK I believe that it's 400ft max altitude without special permission, and not within 150 metres of population centres (those mixed measurement systems courtesy of the BMFA!).

Clause (d) has an interesting connotation. It says that you are not allowed to fly a model over 7 kg above 400 ft outside controlled airspace.
http://www.bmfa.org/ANO/index.html

fpv different when using fpvuk association
under 1.8kg and keep inside 400ft with competent observer
caa exception
http://www.fpvuk.org...21PAndE5941.pdf

[Snagglesworth]

mk1spitfire, on 05 December 2011 - 07:16 PM, said:

fpv different when using fpvuk association
under 1.8kg and keep inside 400ft with competent observer
caa exception
http://www.fpvuk.org...21PAndE5941.pdf

Please note that the above exemption only applies to members of FPVUK and has only just been brought into force. Simon worked very hard to get this exemption for us.
And this still does not apply to comercial flights. For commerical use you have to be certified (which cost a fortune)

[Spydmobile]

More on this, It appears, that the FAA has responded to that story in my initial post, here is what I found on RCG:
Summary:

Contrary to the blog posted to the Mi6 Film's website that you so kindly
provided, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not stopped the use
of all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) being used for a commercial purpose
(i.e. other than for pleasure, recreation or sport use by an individual.)

Any person or company wishing to obtain FAA authorization to operate a UAS
in the U.S. airspace for a commercial purpose may do so.

For more information: http://www.faa.gov/a...es/uas/uas_faq/

Of course, the use of a small radio-controlled model aircraft by an
individual for pleasure, recreation or sport does not require FAA approval,
provided there is no compensation to the individual for its use.

Kind regards,

R. Lance Nuckolls
Aviation Safety Inspector - Flight Operations
FAA Office of Aviation Safety
Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (AFS-407)
Washington, DC Headquarters

I got that from:

http://www.rcgroups....&postcount=3891

[Crash]

Kenn Sebesta, on 05 December 2011 - 07:02 PM, said:

Your definitions are overly restrictive. We're not talking remote control airplanes for fun around the local hobby strip, we're talking commercial use of US airspace.

I specifically said "non military RC vehicles' for a reason.  The military drones have a habit of targeting bad guys on purpose.  Of all the other RC vehicles on Earth that are owned by civilians I cannot find any overwhelming evidence of an existing problem.  If there is then please show me. I'm easy going and maybe I just haven't seen it.

I'm not saying there shouldn't be laws. I'm saying you cannot legislate away stupidity and there are already enough rules/laws in place.

Look at how the current laws did not stop this numb nut:
http://travel.usatod...rest/51680182/1

[Windbreaker]

Looks like the concerns are mostly answered.

Spydmobile, on 06 December 2011 - 04:23 PM, said:

More on this, It appears, that the FAA has responded to that story in my initial post, here is what I found on RCG:
Summary:

Contrary to the blog posted to the Mi6 Film's website that you so kindly
provided, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not stopped the use
of all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) being used for a commercial purpose
(i.e. other than for pleasure, recreation or sport use by an individual.)

Any person or company wishing to obtain FAA authorization to operate a UAS
in the U.S. airspace for a commercial purpose may do so.

For more information: http://www.faa.gov/a...es/uas/uas_faq/

Of course, the use of a small radio-controlled model aircraft by an
individual for pleasure, recreation or sport does not require FAA approval,
provided there is no compensation to the individual for its use.

Kind regards,

R. Lance Nuckolls
Aviation Safety Inspector - Flight Operations
FAA Office of Aviation Safety
Unmanned Aircraft Program Office (AFS-407)
Washington, DC Headquarters

I got that from:

http://www.rcgroups....&postcount=3891

[Malx]

Spydmobile, on 05 December 2011 - 02:39 PM, said:

EDIT: Dec 9 2011

Nicely done !

[Aerhead]

All

Contrary to the blog posted to the Mi6 Film's website that you so kindly
provided, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not stopped the use
of all unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) being used for a commercial purpose
Any person or company wishing to obtain FAA authorization to operate a UAS
in the U.S. airspace for a commercial purpose may do

   For a little more clarification of the response from the FFA. The next paragraph is from the link in the FAA response.

Can I fly a UAS under a COA or experimental certificate for commercial purposes?

No. Currently, there are no means to obtain an authorization for commercial UAS operations in the NAS. However, manufacturers may apply for an experimental certificate for the purposes of R&D, market survey and crew training.

Edited by Aerhead, 08 December 2011 - 02:48 AM.

[Rattler]

As someone who has one of the little blue cards that says that I have the right to operate to operate an aircraft in the US National Airspace. (Pilots License) it does get worse. Below is the US Doc that sets the guidelines for Pilots and aircraft.  But to be clear RC aircraft operate under different rules than UAS, UA, and UAV's. and the restrictions do not apply to RC aircraft.  

Quote

Do I need to get approval from the FAA to fly a model aircraft for recreation?

No. FAA guidance does not address size of the model aircraft. FAA guidance says that model aircraft flights should be kept below 400 feet above ground level (AGL), should be flown a sufficient distance from populated areas and full scale aircraft, and are not for business purposes. ^{1, 2}

 uas_guidance08-01.pdf   1.48MB   36 downloads

[Arnie]

I have a question, for hopefully any lawyers participating with the open pilot project. FAA's UAS Guidance 08-01 posted above is defined as Interim Guidance. And therefore not yet voted into law. I believe I am correct in saying the code of federal regulations does not include restrictions on this specific type of operation. All that is published is advisory circulars and guidance procedures, but no specific Law restricting its use. One could argue the FAA is going against its own mission  of promoting aviation by attempting to prevent legitimate operators from conducting business. We are at a turing point in aviation history, I doubt the Wright brothers would have been willing to sit on their hands waiting for approval from a higher agency who was unable to keep up with their technical improvments.

[Rattler]

Arnie

I agree it’s not law yet. The FAA has talked about publishing the changes it wants’ to make in 2012.  It will probably go thought the normal process and will be come law by 2013.  People need to speak up but I doughty enough will to make any difference.  The big commercial boys will dictate what will really happen in the end.