Whether the FAA or LAPD likes it, I don't forsee realtors shunning use of Aerial photography and video companies just because the FAA has labeled it as some sort of airspace violation.  A small remote control helicopter flying at around 100 feet taking snapshots of someones home or video of someones property being declared a threat to airspace:  so absurd it's intellectually insulting.

"According to FilmL.A., the LAPD Air Division has issued this warning as it intends to prosecute violators in the near future.  "

That does absolutely SCREAM sour grapes.  The FAA made us stop, so now were on some sort of mission to make everyone else stop too.  C'mon......LAPD, I would expect more then that kind of pettiness out of an accredited law enforcment agency. Don't you have better things to do?

It may be the Real Estate industry the forces the laws to change to accommodate the used of UAVs commercially.  They have a lot of clout, and the savings they get from using UAVs instead of expensive airplanes and helicopters goes right into their bottom lines.

What blows my mind is that people are still surprised by this. Ignorance of the law is no defence.

The pilot on board a balloon is the cut down device that is required just like should be fitted to that car dealers blimp should there be a flyaway.  

For me the biggest issue with a lack of regs is that it has held back small business and ground has been lost. Oh and look January is over almost and no word from the FAA. All that pre Christmas hype.

Oh look that rumour was around in 2010 http://www.suasnews.com/2010/09/1331/euphemisms-for-progress%E2%80%A6/ Then raised its head again last September, I wonder if nothing happens soon it will rise from the ashes this September.

I do think around April/May there will be some sort of movement. AV and the others are desperate to sell to 18k police stations. What might then happen is that the Police will find its not as simple as the brochure said it would be.

I will say it again, RCAPA is free to join but judging by the way the FB page is not filling apathy still rules the day over there. http://www.facebook.com/groups/317984811558233/

Once rules come in, and they will one day, the FAA will have scores of small business people willing to shop people operating in an unlicensed manner as its in their interest to make sure they do. Its how these things work.

If the car dealership baloon is under size/weight limit then it is not required to have a flight termination device or follow other requirements listed in the regulations. There is a limit for all baloons, kites and rockets.

Sorry about the double post above. <-- removed for you -->

there probably just worried that the paparazzi  are going to use suas to photograph celebrities .

thats a valid concern hightechhobbie. 

so are these rules/laws just for local law enforcement? i dont mean to sound uneducated but i was considering using mine to film weddings, festivals,parties,etc. I was also considering using it to film automotive lines and having it just go down the path while building a vehicle.