Appeals court strikes down FAA drone registration

[MikeD]

A D.C.-based appeals court struck down a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule on Friday requiring recreational drone users to register their model aircraft with the federal government, in a major win for drone hobbyists.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sided with plaintiff John A. Taylor, a recreational drone pilot, who argued that the FAA doesn’t have the power to make him register his toy drones because Congress already said the FAA can’t regulate model aircraft.

“The FAA’s 2015 registration rule, which applies to model aircraft, directly violates that clear statutory prohibition,” the opinion said. “We therefore grant Taylor’s petition and vacate the registration rule to the extent it applies to (continued below)

http://thehill.com/policy/transport...down-federal-registration-rule-for-toy-drones

 

[Richman]

I was wondering about this....the law seemed pretty clear, but the AMA seemed to be hedging their bets.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

I don't believe normal "models" are fully capable aircraft in their own right though... I guess some are though. Can I create a 1:1 Cessna 172 model?

 

[Lawman]

I think this is going to be reworked until it's a win for the FAA. It may take years, but one good major incident like a biz jet crashing while landing at Centennial because it sucked a drone into its intake will push the scales for safety.

If it wasn't for the general ignorance of the population as to where and when you can fly with these things being more than capable of posing an air hazard I'd say that it's not an issue. That's totally the fault of the drone community at large not policing its self. The model rocketry guys would be a good example to follow.

 

[derg]

About six months ago I zipped past one on takeoff out of LGA.

Between "cool video man" types with the drones near airport flight paths and the boneheads with the lasers, I think we're going to have a major incident one day.

 

[denverpilot]

I think this is going to be reworked until it's a win for the FAA.

That would be how I would translate their press release from goverment-ese to normal English. Yup. Ha. LOL!

"Press Release
For Immediate Release
You are subscribed to News updates for the Federal Aviation Administration. A new Press Release is now available. We've included a copy of the release in this email.
FAA Statement Regarding US Court of Appeals Decision

WASHINGTON, DC, May 19- We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision."

 

[Vector]

F the FAA. Another example of government overreach.

 

[deadstick]

I think this is going to be reworked until it's a win for the FAA. It may take years, but one good major incident like a biz jet crashing while landing at Centennial because it sucked a drone into its intake will push the scales for safety.

If it wasn't for the general ignorance of the population as to where and when you can fly with these things being more than capable of posing an air hazard I'd say that it's not an issue. That's totally the fault of the drone community at large not policing its self. The model rocketry guys would be a good example to follow.

Just takes blood. Some idiot going to be screwing around near an airport ("4-0-1, duuuude!") and somebody else will pay. Said idiot can hide from taking responsibility and will probably get away with it because, now, it's anonymous.

 

[LostComm]

So what happens to the people who have already been fined by the FAA?

 

[Oxman]

About six months ago I zipped past one on takeoff out of LGA.

Between "cool video man" types with the drones near airport flight paths and the boneheads with the lasers, I think we're going to have a major incident one day.

It's only a matter of time.

 

[dustoff17]

Just takes blood. Some idiot going to be screwing around near an airport ("4-0-1, duuuude!") and somebody else will pay. Said idiot can hide from taking responsibility and will probably get away with it because, now, it's anonymous.

THIS!
The registration was more for tracking the violating/accident causing drone than it was about "Big Brother" and collecting money.

 

[mshunter]

I'd say that money played a part. But I do agree it had little to do with "Big Brother".

 

[BigZ]

Can I create a 1:1 Cessna 172 model?

I can hook you up with the ppl at ERAU Eagle Flight who turned a 182 into a RC model if that's your thing

 

[tomokc]

I'm told some of the logic was this: Model trains aren't registered & licensed as trains, so why should model aircraft be registered & licensed as aircraft?

I also don't think you need the FAA to tell drone operators that they must remain clear of manned aircraft.

 

[mastermags]

I'd say that money played a part. But I do agree it had little to do with "Big Brother".

I mean it was like $5. 1/4 the cost of my 'radio operator certificate.'

 

[NovemberEcho]

I also don't think you need the FAA to tell drone operators that they must remain clear of manned aircraft.

I'll make sure to tell the next pilot who reports missing a drone by 100' on final that it's ok, they know to remain clear of manned aircraft.

 

[RDoug]

I'm told some of the logic was this: Model trains aren't registered & licensed as trains, so why should model aircraft be registered & licensed as aircraft?

Not much logic to that. Model trains don't share real railroad tracks with real Amtrak commuters and hazardous freight trains. But, model aircraft do use real airspace shared with real aircraft hauling real people and cargo.

 

[NovemberEcho]

Do drones require LoS to work? For RC aircraft if you can't see it you can't fly it very well.

 

[Lawman]

Do drones require LoS to work? For RC aircraft if you can't see it you can't fly it very well.

Not all of them.

We've got a guy who is big into drones that has some of the higher end ones for photography/videography. His can use cell signal with a basic autonomy to make up for the latency of the signal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cptnchia]

I'm told some of the logic was this: Model trains aren't registered & licensed as trains, so why should model aircraft be registered & licensed as aircraft?

I also don't think you need the FAA to tell drone operators that they must remain clear of manned aircraft.

I'll make sure to tell the next pilot who reports missing a drone by 100' on final that it's ok, they know to remain clear of manned aircraft.

Try missing one by less than 50 feet while at 3000 feet on an ILS. It was sitting right over the IAP. It was a big quadcopter too. Police said that they'd had several reports of near misses by it.