Hello,
My name is Gene and I'm new to this forum. I'm also new to UAV as well as RC. I'm interested in using UAV for aerial photography. I'm also interested in using a kite or balloon to carry a UAV glider to altitude, release it, and use GPS to return it to a launch site. I'm curious if anyone has experimented with using a paraglider as a UAV. I'm also wondering if some sort of FAA rules and regulations come into play when doing what I've described ( the kite/balloon ).
Thanks and Best Regards.
Gene
Replies
Hello,
I'm french hobbyist that already made few RC paraglider wings :
http://www.diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/paradrone-a-paraglider-drone
I and my hackerspace are planing on doing the same as you, make it fly high using a balloon and let it down under wing.
I'm still working on it, at this time I'm working on the downlink to send the telemetry data back...
;)
it wont let me send you a message until you accept the friend request, so to delay and i guess contribute to the likely soon to wander conversation... here is what i was going to send....
"coming from a pilot take this one to heart... the government (in aviation at least) does what they want first, then sorts it out later. when i fly theres two types of military airspaces around me. RESTRICTED... which is a complete no fly (entering will guarnatee you a couple of trigger happy jet jocks off your wing with the policy of shoot first, shoot some more, then when youre a fire ball order you to land immediately) or a MOA.. military occupied airspace.. these are designated training areas that are open to the public for aviation, and when a non-military (typically GA ) aircraft is in this airspace, all training and exercises come to an immediate pause until the aircraft is clear from that space. those being the ones to really be careful about flying anywhere in regardless of rules and regs.. as far as ive read the 400' ceiling applys to anything that is unmanned ( ive heard of instances where this has been enforced, but nothing more than fbo chit chat). this can be a kite, a small rc airplane or a larger uav. (this is one of those gray and debatable areas that has contradicting rules if you read around a bit more) i know that in my aircraft im restricted to fly 1000' AGL above a sparsely or non-populated area, and 1500' AGL above a densely populated area (deciding whats what is at the better judgment of the pilot, and can be arguable). that being said (keep in mind the last part of this may be a bit different for you).... above water is fair game for any altitude of flight for me.... so long as i can safely make a landing (directed more towards making the beach). maybe its something to look into if you find yourself restricted by the size of your craft or the operation areas youre given. dont forget to keep in mind that many ultralights are VERY small (theres even a super ultralight category that you might fall under by default because of your crafts weight) and those have similar but not identical rules as me. make sure you cover your bases. anything the government doesnt understand or have control over is an immediate attention grabber and scape goat for either political or legal target practice."
hello Gene ! I am Marco (italy) and I follow the problems connected with UAV airworthiness.
actually for airship I found two main documents: 14-CFR-21.17 for special classes of aircrafts and FAA-P-8110-2. the criteria are applicable to airship certificated in normal category with seating configuration with 10 or less seats.
in 2001 this implementation order with No. 1996/420/D with the directives 83/189/EEC, 88/182/EEC, Airworthiness Requirements for the type certification of airships in the categories Normal and Commuter, implements the two documents above said.
However the type of system You describe constitutes a swarm of UAV.
a NOTAM should always be issued when flying with this objects ... if allowed to fly ...
a new regulation for UAV with less than 150 kg (at the moment fixed wing) is coming soon on effort if approved by NATO countries with name STANAG 4703. Sure technology is one step forward and regulations are still to be defined in a propper way to allow the UAV flight and work but also to avoid misuses.