My name is Isaac. I have wanted to film and take pictures from R/C planes and helicopters for 15+ years. Over the past year I have spent 10,000$+ and countless hours putting together an FPV system and 3 multirotors to fly with. I see endless potential for the use of systems like mine. Realtors can use aerial photos to help them sell high end properties and houses. The conservancy has shown interest in the use of them to get aerial video of land they plan rehabitate. Action sports production companies have interest in getting the aerial shots of pro skiers/snowboarders, dirt bikers, surfers etc. without the excessive cost of hiring a real helicopter for thousands of dollars per hour. The list goes on and on.
I am starting this thread in an attempt to draw attention to the fact that the FAA is in the process of writing rules and regulations for this type of commercial "uav" use. It is called the UAS ARC. It is supposed to be a "public discussion". The RCAPA(radio controlled aerial photography association), is trying to get a seat on the FAAs UAS ARC (aviation rulemaking committee). The RCAPA meets all of the requirements to be able to hold a seat on this committee, yet Peggy Gilligan of the FAA refuses to let them in. It has been called wholesale disenfranchisement, and I agree.
I am currently sending a copy of a letter written up by the good people at the RCAPA to EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE IN THE UNITED STATES. 540 in all. This letter asks that the congressperson/senator request that Ms. Gilligan correct her "oversight" in not allowing the RCAPA a seat on the UAS ARC. the RCAPA would be the only voice for the small business stakeholders in the commercial use of any r/c anything for aerial photography on the UAS ARC. To me this has become another example of big business interests stifling the ability of the "little guy" to start a small business and succeed. I am disgusted by the fact that I can fly my helicopters under 400 ft. and take all the pictures I want, (of course, without invading anyones privacy or creating an unsafe situation for those around me), but as soon as I make a buck doing it suddenly I am committing a crime.
I humbly ask anyone interested in starting a business using radio controlled aircraft for aerial photography to cut copy and paste the letter from the RCAPA and start sending them to your representatives and senators. If enough of us speak up there is a good chance that we can make a difference in what rules and regulations are set by the UAS ARC. I see a great deal of opportunity in radio controlled aerial photography, and if we dont act now that opportunity may wind up only being available to an elite few who have the money and political sway to keep people like me from pursuing an occupation in this relatively new and exciting industry of RCAP. Who's with me?????
Here is the petition I started on change.org. Pass it around, maybe it will help make a difference!
Replies
I know Gary But it sounded good at the time. I do get tired of all this B...about photos from the FAA
don't sell the pictures, you sell the use of your aircraft and of course the pilot of the aircraft and then they can use the data collected by the aircraft in any way they like you are not making money from the pictures you are making money renting out your uav data collector
anyway just a thought
i like your letter i will join you in your fight
To Your Senator:
The Honorable (full name) (Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510
To Your Representative:
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
(Today’s date)
Dear (Either Senator or Representative followed by their last name here)
Re: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aviation Rulemaking Committee (UAS ARC)
This correspondence is in regards to the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aviation Rulemaking Committee, chartered June 17th 2011. The reason for contacting your office is to share with you an apparent oversight made by the FAA in not including the lone voice for the small business stakeholder community in this public process. The Remote Control Aerial Photography Association (RCAPA) advocates for the small business use of unmanned aircraft systems and needs to be included in this process.
I respectfully request that your office contact the Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Ms. Margaret “Peggy” Gilligan to expedite actions to correct this oversight. Thank you for your time and assistance with this important matter.
Respectfully,
(Your name)
(Make your mark here)
(Your address)