Busting the GoPro Drone Cowboys

T

tomokc

Well-Known Member
Guys, I need a little help with rules & regs governing these GoPro-laden toys.

I just saw a FB post and YouTube video from a guy operating his GoPro dronemobile. The caption of his still image said "_____ (city name) from the Drone this morning. 1200 feet up." In the upper right corner was his email address which was flagrant and along the lines of hiremydronecamera@____.com.

Foreflight pegs the spot three nm from the center of the nearby airport about 30 degrees off extended runway centerline. This guy's gonna kill someone, so I want to throw every book at him that I can before that happens.

Can you guys help me identify applicable FARs (even though I suspect they don't apply to non-licensed aircraft operators), federal regulations, and anything in the state of Michigan?

I'd be most appreciative. I understand that FAA is way behind the power curve on drones, but guys like this need to be made an example of as a reminder that rules & regs are in place.
 
There are no rules for hobbyists, however he is advertising and that implies a business venture. That opens him up to current regulations IMO. Contact the local FSDO to start. I dunno what else to do about it.
 
I thought even hobbyists need to notify airports if they are within 5nm? What airport? Just curious as I'm from Michigan.
 
What's the FAA gonna do if he doesn't have a pilot certificate? It's not like they can emergency revoke something he doesn't have in the first place.
 
gotWXdagain said:
What's the FAA gonna do if he doesn't have a pilot certificate? It's not like they can emergency revoke something he doesn't have in the first place.
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If my memory is correct, the FAA fined someone $10,000 last year for careless and reckless as well as being for hire without a commercial certificate. When I get to my desktop I'll find the story and post a link.
 
This is nothing new. Folks are flying these things all over at crazy altitudes. NY, LA, Chicago, Miami. A lot of them have the "Big sky small airplane" attitude, and argue about how much damage one could actually do. Over downtown, clearly class B space, 15 miles away from where they are standing and 5000 ft. AGL Crazy, eh?
A little youtube search is pretty eye opening.
 
Not only is there a mileage limit for radio-controlled aircraft, but also a height limit of 400 feet I believe. Definably a fining offense. I would contact FSDO to get the ball rolling and see what they say.
 
RDoug said:
Not only is there a mileage limit for radio-controlled aircraft, but also a height limit of 400 feet I believe. Definably a fining offense. I would contact FSDO to get the ball rolling and see what they say.
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There really is no mileage "limit", and the 400' is a guideline. The limit is Line of Sight, or LOS. To fly beyond LOS is (in theory anyway) a no no. The way it is supposed to work is it is generally a two person job, one to have goggles on, one to keep the model in sight and make sure the area is clear. Obviously, that is not happening in many cases.
 
CFI A&P said:
the FAA missed the boat on regulating the hobby style RC aircraft.
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The FAA shouldn't be regulating the average hobbiest. But they should regulate the crap out of the "for hire" guys. I fly a lot of "park flyers." The FAA has no reason to regulate a guy like me. But the videos posted in this thread are a problem.
 
Itchy said:
This is nothing new. Folks are flying these things all over at crazy altitudes. NY, LA, Chicago, Miami. A lot of them have the "Big sky small airplane" attitude, and argue about how much damage one could actually do. Over downtown, clearly class B space, 15 miles away from where they are standing and 5000 ft. AGL Crazy, eh?
A little youtube search is pretty eye opening.
Click to expand...
That is nuts. Wonder how long it's going to take before some airliner takes one to the windscreen.
 
The FAA fined someone for flying "for hire" but that was thrown out by a low level judge. Currently being appealed.

No action yet from my understanding by the FAA on anyone else flying those things.

Yes it's dangerous. IMO it's probably best handled by local authorities as some sort of public endangerment charge IMO at this point.

In their defense, look at how many birds are out flying, and we hit a very few number of them except for t/o and landing. I've only hit one bird outside of final and that was in a decent about 10 miles from the field.

The technology involved with this stuff is pretty neat IMO.
 
For anyone interested in the $10,000 RC case, it is currently before the full NTSB having been briefed by both sides with some members of the news media filing a "Friend of the Court" brief supporting the drone operator's position.

FAA Penalty Decision
Pirker Motion to Dismiss the FAA's enforcement action
FAA Response to Pirker's Motion to Dismiss
Pirker Reply Brief Supporting his Motion to Dismiss
Decision by the NTSB Administrative Law Judge dismissing the FAA enforcement action
FAA Appeal to the full NTSB
Media "Amicus" Brief supporting Pirker
Pirker Reply Brief opposing the FAA appeal

Not sure when the NTSB will make a decision.
 
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