Drone Wars: The FAA Awakens

Sorry for the late and incomplete response @n57flyguy. I've been on the road and haven't had time to respond, but I will in the next day or two.
 
I don't think this is the end of the world. $5 registration fee. I'm sure commercial operator rules are going to be forthcoming quickly, because there is entirely too many applications that drones can fill a niche in in hundreds of industries -- so the pressure will be there on the FAA.

And my understanding is that the registration number is person, not drone, specific but I may be wrong. So I don't know if you have to pay $5 per drone or just $5 for the number you put on all of your drones.
 
mshunter said:
Mine all look like real airplanes. So I'm different.

A Cub, a Laser 200, a Dago Red, a P51D, a Hell Cat, a Pitts S2B, and another Cub, but it's still just a bunch of balsa wood sticks. I'm still collecting the rest of the stuff for it (engine, servos, receiver, etc.)

$40 every three years isn't much. But it's still a PITA!
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It's $5 per person for three years, not $5 per a/c. You register and affix that number to all of your models.

The FAA's hands are pretty tied in the recreational use rule making. I think their intent was to mentally add responsibility to each user. Will it fix anything, I don't think so but it is something to make folks feel more accountable.

Sent from my XT1049 using Tapatalk
 
Also, I did not read it comprehensively but in traditional terms of phrase if it specifically said 'hobbyist' did it specifically say it wasn't permissible to do anything for compensation? Traditionally a hobbyist doesn't entirely mean an entirely recreational activity, just that it isn't on the same level as a commercial operation. I know a lot of people who sell items or services that are a result of a hobby.

From the perspective of another anal retentive branch of government (the IRS) the difference between a hobby and a business is that a business is "engaged in trying to make a profit." There are more specific guidelines than that, but that's the meat of it. It's the difference of having a camera on a drone for your own enjoyment and occasionally having someone pay you to do what you would do for the most part anyway with running 'Aerial Photography LLC', a venture designed to make profit for the owner that just happens to use drones in its business model.
 
It's a bummer my little indoor quad doesn't meet the weight requirement, it would be kinda funny to get it registered. I'd frame it and put it on the wall lol
 
If you're curious, this is what it takes to be a commercial UAV operator. I am one, and my business is taking aerial photographs & video of commercial buildings. This requires a Section 333 exemption, an FAA pilot certificate (or derivative such as ATP, commercial, sport or recreation), and putting N-numbers on all UAVs. Operating under a Section 333 exemption is virtually impossible because it requires a 500' setback from all nonparticipating persons, structures, vehicles and vessels. A visual observer must assist with all flights. A NOTAM must be filed 24-72 hours prior to all flights. If operating within five miles of an airport an additional certificate of authorization from FAA is required plus a specific letter of authorization from the airport owner/operator (my local airport trust refuses to issue one). Nighttime ops are prohibited. Monthly reports must be sent to FAA listing all flights, mechanical or comm issues, incidents, accidents or injuries. Etcetera.

I have hundreds of hours flying a DJI Inspire without a single crash or flyaway, but I am held to those standards. Meanwhile, little Johnny can unwrap HIS Inspire on Christmas morning, never open the manual, charge the battery, and fly wherever and whenever he wants.

None of this makes sense.
 
tomokc said:
If you're curious, this is what it takes to be a commercial UAV operator. I am one, and my business is taking aerial photographs & video of commercial buildings. This requires a Section 333 exemption, an FAA pilot certificate (or derivative such as ATP, commercial, sport or recreation), and putting N-numbers on all UAVs. Operating under a Section 333 exemption is virtually impossible because it requires a 500' setback from all nonparticipating persons, structures, vehicles and vessels. A visual observer must assist with all flights. A NOTAM must be filed 24-72 hours prior to all flights. If operating within five miles of an airport an additional certificate of authorization from FAA is required plus a specific letter of authorization from the airport owner/operator (my local airport trust refuses to issue one). Nighttime ops are prohibited. Monthly reports must be sent to FAA listing all flights, mechanical or comm issues, incidents, accidents or injuries. Etcetera.

I have hundreds of hours flying a DJI Inspire without a single crash or flyaway, but I am held to those standards. Meanwhile, little Johnny can unwrap HIS Inspire on Christmas morning, never open the manual, charge the battery, and fly wherever and whenever he wants.

None of this makes sense.
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It's clear you think the regulations are too strict in your case. I 100% agree.

Yet you think this is GREAT NEWS that little Johnny flying his Air Hogs RC plane must register with the FAA or face a $27,500 fine.

I'm just not able to follow your logic.

Common sense regs and rules are important for a functioning society. Onerous ones that do nothing to enhance safety only serve to slow innovation and make America lose out in the long run.
 
Little Johnny only has to take five minutes to complete an online form, pay $5.00, mark the number on their drones with a Sharpie, and keep it below 400' and 5 miles from airports. Why is that a burden? Licensing my dog every year takes longer and costs more.
 
dustoff17 said:
We can't get the FFA to enforce existing rules in "real" aircraft how the heck are they going to run down some 14 year old in the park to make sure they are flying "legal"?

And what is the fine for failing to register? This goes beyond stupid........
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I'm thinking this will be more like the current gun registry that only IF something bad happens, and there's a drone Involved, it can be linked to a potential suspect.

Its not like the FAA will require checkrides or ramp checks. I don't mind at all. Like some one else already said, RC aircraft enthusiasts are usually way more responsable and better judging that the usual "gey hold my beer, watch this, see If I can buzz that airliner"

Take care
 
MaRiO FDZ said:
I'm thinking this will be more like the current gun registry that only IF something bad happens, and there's a drone Involved, it can be linked to a potential suspect.

Its not like the FAA will require checkrides or ramp checks. I don't mind at all. Like some one else already said, RC aircraft enthusiasts are usually way more responsable and better judging that the usual "gey hold my beer, watch this, see If I can buzz that airliner"

Take care
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Well, just like gun registry, I can go to a gun show and buy parts, put together a gun, never register it, AND be legal. Can do the same for a drone.....no serial number, no way to trace it to operator.
 
n57flyguy said:
1) 'We' have not been dealing with foam 'parkflyer' Cub for a long, long time. Many RC enthusiast understand the regulations related to recreation RC operations. It has been the recent widening of recreation models to a broader scope of individuals, who while would be and are considered enthusiast, are less aware of the regulations related to RC operations (AC91-57, 1981)

2) I speculate that this registration rule is really a method for the FAA to distinguish between the two types of UAS operations: commercial civil and recreational. I am not really aware of aerial photography companies appearing 'these days' - but their operation as a business without FAA approval is illegal is my understanding as it is not considered recreational or a hobby. An example being that a UAS used to take pictures of a house or property then selling them for compensation is consider not to be recreational use of a UAV.

Regarding reasonable expectation of privacy: in what sense are you referring to this applying? What compliance are you referring to in regards to UAS?
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As @tomokc said, he is one of the educated and responsible operators, that is aware of the big picture. I have a friend locally that is also an approved operator for hire. A process that required a considerable investment of resources to be legit. He has followed AC91-57, hired legal counsel to prepare his 333 exemption, etc.... Much like 135 vs 134.5, in the eyes of the uneducated, the only tangible difference between the two is paperwork. This is what my personal observation has been. For example, my friend and I will run in to people at the beach, mall, parks, wherever and see someone operating a UAV/ UAS/ drone/ quadcopter... So we will engage in conversation with the operator and ask questions using the submarine theory. "That's pretty cool, what model? How high does it go? What's the range? How long does the battery last?" They will almost always talk to a stranger. Just like any enthusiast would when talking about cars, motorcycles, firearms...The story is almost always the same: just bought it online, practiced it a few times in their yards, then printed some business cards on vistaprint, and now they are in business. During these conversations they'll say things that are appalling to pilots. No understanding of airspace, safety or general laws. They will say that they can fly it anywhere and film anything which is why I bring up the reasonable expectation of privacy. People have an expectation of privacy at their residences, place of business and other places. Flying a UAS over a fence and filming the backyard is no different than being a peeping Tom.

Creating a classification between various operations and types is not a bad thing. Recreational and professional or something similar is a good move. Even though both are remote controlled, there is a difference between a parkzone flyer and a DJI phantom or a 1/4 scale F-4 Phantom (http://www.wsj.com/articles/faa-u-s-airliner-nearly-collided-with-drone-in-march-1399659956). Not to mention the guy that mounted a pistol to one and put a video of it on YouTube, or the guy that mounted a flamethrower to one. http://www.popsci.com/teen-puts-flamethrower-on-drone-gets-sponsor

The advancement in technology is great, certainly has it's uses in the world, as well as misguided uses. Continued use with the lack of education or operational limitations (regulations...gasp!) is a recipe for disaster.
 
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Well, we all said this was gonna happen-a couple people actin' a foo' makes it a pain in the neck for everyone. regulate thyself, lest thou be regulated upon.
 
exneophyte said:
Well this is interesting...FAA Finally Admits Names And Home Addresses In Drone Registry Will Be Publicly Available
Sounds like a great marketing spamming opportunity. Monitor the list and send out advertisements for new drones and accessories to anyone who has registered their drone.
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The FAA used to post all of our Social Security numbers as ID's. This is nothing. Ok, so you get more spam mail. We've all been advertised to just because we're pilots and have public records.

Btw, you can opt out of public addresses, at least for real pilots. :cool:
 
exneophyte said:
Well this is interesting...FAA Finally Admits Names And Home Addresses In Drone Registry Will Be Publicly Available
Sounds like a great marketing spamming opportunity. Monitor the list and send out advertisements for new drones and accessories to anyone who has registered their drone.
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All of our addresses our public, until you go to Airmen Services and opt out of it. My address is not available. Which is why I haven't been invited to SkyWest or receive any Amazon gift cards for interviewing.

https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/update_address/
 
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