I've started an analysis and write-up of the legislation here:
http://eastbay-rc.blogspot.com/2013/02/notes-on-proposed-drone-legislation.html
My goal is to present a clear set of hobbyist use cases and suggested amendments to protect hobbyist and "light commercial" flying under that regulation.
It's a work-in-progress, and I'm looking for feedback... please leave comments (either here or on that page) if you think there's something I'm overlooking.
Oh, and First Post! :-)
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My company, Overwatch, just secured approval to write drone insurance primarily in the USA and Canada but also worldwide. The coverage is underwritten by Lloyd's of London. The insurance is for hull, liability, storage, transit, spare parts, etc. We will also write manufacturers liability for those in the business of manufacturing drones or component parts and payload. We will be at the AUVSI show in Washington in August in booth 2555. We are also lecturing and exhibiting at the Canadian Unmanned Systems show in Vancouver in November. Our coverage is written specifically for Unmanned Systems. We have seen some try to use a basic normal private aviation policy and heavily modify it to cover a UAV. Our coverage is strictly for a UAV/UAS being used for commercial, educational, research, law enforcement, search and rescue, etc. We are aware of the FAA limitations on commercial, for profit, drone use however we assume that policy holders will follow the rules and regulations as enforced. We are not an enforcement agency but rather a risk management and insurance solution provider for the UAV/UAS community. You can find us on the web at www.avalonrisk.com/overwatch.html or call us in Houston, TX at 713-343-0889. Good luck in your endeavors!
You might see more response if you put a complete link into the post. Like this. The link in your post is truncated.
Overreaction by local idiots, er I mean legislators, is going to happen. The forum members really need to have each other's back when stupid laws are being proposed in response to a generated crisis.
ALL proposed laws addressing privacy fit this description. Some of them would make balloon flights by high school science classes illegal - because they carry a camera that "might" look into someone's back yard. By extension, viewing Google Maps would be illegal under those proposed laws.
Here's a well thought out video that was posted in another section of the forums, but it really belongs here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iz19DQ6-eGE