Av8Chuck
Member
Nobody believed RCAPA in 2007 when they said this was coming down the pike. Next question, what are you going to do about ASTM F-38
Here are Patrick's writings on integration and other things. http://www.suasnews.com/author/patrick/
Whats really needed now in the USA is a consensus safety standard for flying. So far it looks pretty shocking to the man on the street.
Don't forget the other organization that is on the case sUAV Coalition
I need to chime in here as I believe some are reaching as to the extent of FAA oversight. I do not claim to be an expert in this area, so please correct me if someone has information to the contrary.
The FAA has set "guidelines" for hobbist flying model aircraft. The FAA has set "rules" for commerical sUAS aircraft. These are completely different, but many seem to wish to "blend" the two together. They are not the same and are separate.
http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/
The FAA NOTAM and other restictions ONLY apply to those flying a sUAS professionally or commerically.
Please note that hobby flying in "public" places may be governed by other laws or ordinances, so hobbists should be knowledgable of state & local laws in the area they fly and use due care, but the FAA does not claim oversight or authority.
Should a hobbist violate the FAA guidelines, put full sized aircraft or the public at risk, or violate other State or Local laws, then criminal or civil actions can be taken.
Flying your hobbist multicopter in your back yard, at the AMA club or over the property of another with permission is of no concern to the FAA, except within the "control" areas of an airport... 5 miles.
If in doubt, please call the FAA. I have and this is what I have been told.
They can't have it both ways [which doesn't mean they won't try], but the FAA say's categorically commercial UAV is against the law with the exception of ONE drone that they have certified for use in Alaska. So why specify airspace restrictions regarding drones [or any variation of the term] in NOTAMS?
If anyone is flying drones commercially then they're already breaking the law so what effect does a NOTAM have except for non-commercial operations? Whether its legal or not, I bet if you are seen flying a Phantom within line of site of a stadium you'll now be arrested. How is a law enforcement going to determine whether a flight is commercial?
You can thank the Tennessee Titans for this cluster-$#%k.