Comment by Skydog222 on May 22, 2012 at 8:58pm

Hasufel,

This is a quote from this FAQ (http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/uas_faq/) on the FAA site:

"Can I fly a UAS under a COA or experimental certificate for commercial purposes?

No. Currently, there are no means to obtain an authorization for commercial UAS operations in the NAS. However, manufacturers may apply for an experimental certificate for the purposes of R&D, market survey and crew training."

There are also some good documents on this subject on that same website.  (such as this one http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/reg/media/frnotice_uas.pdf)

It's pretty simple.  You cannot conduct ANY commercial operations with UAS in the NAS.  The NAS is defined by any air that is above the land in the United States and 12 miles off it's coastline.  This restriction is irregardless of the class of airspace.

On another note, Class G airspace is defined as the space from the surface up to the bottom of Class E or the bottom of any other class of airspace.  It is "uncontrolled" airspace, but not "unregulated" airspace.  Uncontrolled means that the motion of vehicles operating in this airspace is not controlled by and air traffic controller.  It is up to the pilots to coordinate the movement of vehicles in this class airspace.  Again, this is just uncontrolled, not unregulated.

I hope this has helped a little...I know this discussion has helped me learn a few new points that I did not know before.  I am still trying to learn and understand all of the ins and outs of UAS operations according to the FAA. There is quite a bit of reading to do and lots of questions still to be asked, so I am always researching and trying to understand what I can.    

Comment by Jason Tinacci on May 22, 2012 at 10:47pm

I'm blown away by and really grateful for the conversation that's taken place on this post. And here I just thought I was posting a pretty picture. 

As I mentioned earlier, the point and shoot camera I used for this image isn't of the caliber for my or other stock sites of value, but it's still perfect for learning the subtleties of flying my quad. I still intend to take aerial photos for personal use but how can I protect myself from the FAA should they feel some of my commercially available photos, which were legitimately made from the ground with the aid of a stand or otherwise high vantage point, from being construed as made with a UAV? There are many locations, such as the one where this shot was made where I'm not at sea level, and with long lenses make it seem that I'm much higher? Of course, I'm not talking about an obvious case where I'm 50 m high and it's clearly an aerial photo.

For instance, here's a shot made from the ground near the same spot I was flying. Not a huge difference to me...

Comment by Tim - Arduino for Visual Studio on May 23, 2012 at 4:30am

Lovely photos

Comment by Jonathan M on May 23, 2012 at 11:32am

The more I look into the FAA regulations the more confusing and contradictory it becomes.  Sure, the FAA has posted some announcements deeming any commercial use illegal, but how is it being enforced? How does it stack up against their own regulations?

If UAVs can't be used commercially, then how can numerous companies be doing well with AP, freefly being one example.  Even more to the point, how do companies "get away with" advertising there products? For example when there is a photo of a 3DR hexa - in flight used for annoucing (i.e advertising) a new product, isn't that for commercial use?  Obviously, I am 100% 3DR, and just used them as an example, but I am sure you could find 100s of similiar examples.

The commercial AP thing is frustrating because it's apparently perfectly legal to shoot video, pictures for a hobby, but the minute you want to do a shoot for a video, etc it becomes illegal.

I am hoping in the next few years (ideally months) that this endless debate is put to rest by some clear direction from the FAA or a lawmaking body.  Until then, I am sure people will be still making videos to advertise a new UAV product or AP/AV work.

Comment by Jake Bayless on May 25, 2012 at 9:28pm

Hi Jason (& all)-

I'd love to meet up some day and see what you're up to. I live in Sonoma County- work in Santa Rosa & live out near Salt Point State Park (on the coast).  I have similar aspirations with aerial photography here locally... 

Has anyone seen or heard of any enforcement by the FAA whatsoever? (as in, linkable news articles?)

Thanks in advance,

jake 

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