Proposed FAA Drone Regulations

[jyl]

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=18295

Those of you who have been following this issue: what do you think?

One proposed rule I'm not sure about is "A small UAS may not fly over people, except those directly involved with the flight."

[SilberUrS6]

I suspect that rule will be modified or stretched.

[GWN7]

I belong to a group on Facebook that is on top of a lot of these issues. I don't follow everything as the rules are completely different up here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/uavLegalNews/?fref=nf

[Porsche-O-Phile]

These regulations are worthless at prevention - they simply can't be enforced except retroactively in the event of an accident or incident. In that sense they really only exist to make victims feel good and to make a little money for the government through fines.

[afterburn 549]

No worries . Not too far from now there will be rules how to commit suicide and you will want to with as much governing going on.
By the people , for the people? LOL

[wdfifteen]

They are making a separate classification for "micro UAS" (under 4 pounds) which is a good thing.

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by jyl

http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=18295

Those of you who have been following this issue: what do you think?

One proposed rule I'm not sure about is "A small UAS may not fly over people, except those directly involved with the flight."

I think that might be a decent rule. My brother was flying his drone drj1 at new years when it flew uncontrollably to the ground and came within feet of hitting someone in the head. It would have been a disaster. He had had many hours of flying prior to that without incident.
He takes some amazing pictures with it though. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable with one flying over a stadium crowd.

[dafischer]

Any rules about treating them as skeet?

[rcooled]

I was speaking with a guy over the weekend who owns several drones and he was saying that the software used to control the ones that he flies have virtual 'no-fly' zones built in that are tied to GPS coordinates. For instance, his drones can't be flown within a five-mile safety zone around any airport. If he tries to launch one inside that virtual boundary, it just won't take off. He said it's the same situation for other high-security areas, like the White House, military installations, etc.
But like many other things in the virtual world, I suppose this software can be readilly hacked by anyone with the right skills who wishes to eliminate these no-fly restrictions.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by rcooled

I was speaking with a guy over the weekend who owns several drones and he was saying that the software used to control the ones that he flies have virtual 'no-fly' zones built in that are tied to GPS coordinates. For instance, his drones can't be flown within a five-mile safety zone around any airport.

How about hospitals? Just about every hospital has a helipad and helicopters do, on occasion, fly under the 500' altitude limit mentioned in the new regulations. I've already heard of one helicopter that had to abort an approach to a hospital (with a patient on board) due to UAV.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by KNS

How about hospitals?

According to the guy I talked to, software updates are being issued practically on a daily basis to include more & more sites as no-fly zones. The drone manufacturers are scrambling to keep up...this is a whole new ballgame. I would imagine that the FAA will continue to tighten restrictions on drones until they feel that they have a handle on things. It's a whole new ballgame for them too.

[cashman]

I'm old school RC helicopter pilot.

It's scary (actually incredible) how they have made these things so easy to fly. I have a micro quad copter that I can toss into the air in any orientation and it will automatically self correct to level flight. This is unbelievable technology that was either impossible years ago or would have cost thousands of dollars to obtain.

Unfortunately this puts these machines in the hands of practically anyone that can afford one. Regardless of skill level, safety level, mental capacity, dedication to hobby, or motive.

Regulation will be a necessary evil. I saw one flying over the straightaway at the Petite Leman's at Road Atlanta. Image loosing control (like post #7) and taking out 5 cars going 150 MPH.
To a kid (and some not so stable adults), airports are great areas to learn to fly. Large open space with no trees. Imaging if/when one collides with a full scale aircraft.

We have just tipped the iceberg on this issue. This is relatively new technology that is becoming affordable to the masses. Wait until these larger drones replace the smaller "toys" that kids are currently getting under the xmas tree. It truly will be an issue in my opinion.