-- Hobby Unmanned Aircraft Only --

Here it is, your chance to be 'The Man' and make the rules. This is a blank sheet of paper.

Spell them out clearly in regards to:

Function - what you can and can not do with the vehicle, i.e. BAD - watch your neighbor sunbathe (yeah, I know he/she is hot), BAD -watch for the cops while your accomplice robs a store, GOOD - assist first responders in finding small children..

Weight/Size - All up with payload, wingspan, etc (if I have to explain this..)

Range - how far can the aircraft go (another self explanatory topic)

Control Systems - RC, Wifi, laser, satellite.. the sky is the limit.

Vehicle Types - Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Anti-Gravity engines... will there be specified rules that identify these types and will other rules change depending on the type of vehicle and the power system?

Power System - Are some motive power systems prohibited? Nuclear power? Gerbil power? Are there limits on the released potential energy (think about the school bus again)? How much fuel? How many batteries?

Insurance Requirements - So you crash the amazing machine into a school bus of kindergarten children...who's gonna pay for the lawsuits? This is called liability.

Registration/Identification - Are you going to require a pilot/builder to register in a database? Will it need a registration number? Home base address on the airframe? Telephone number to call when they pull it out of their front seat after it crashes through their car window?

Pilot Qualifications - Will the pilot have to spend time on a certified sim before cutting loose? Is there a training process? Are they noobs limited to a 2S tricopter until logging 15 hours? Are there any qualifications needed? Are flight logs required to document pilot proficiency? Are certified flight schools required?

Airframe Certification - Can just anyone throw together some sticks and plates and call it a Unmanned Aircraft? Are bona fide educational programs exempt from the certification? Do a group of guys in a cigar-smoked filled room decide who's airframe is legit, and who gets stiffed and only flies in their dreams? If required, what are the airframes requirements and who will determine they meet or exceed them?

Operational Mode - Here is where FPV, mind control, bio feedback, and the like should be spelled out.

Operational Location/Environment - Where can you fly this amazing machine? How far from an airport? How high? How far from dwellings? Is this dependent on any or combinations of the other categories of regulations? i.e. noobs cannot fly within 3 miles of subdivisions; pilots with more then 1000 logged hours can fly in their underwear while in FPV mode anywhere they want; etc.

That is all I can think of at the moment.

If you have others, add them on below the one's listed above.

Here is the list again for cut/paste work:

Function - 

Weight/Size -

Range -

Control Systems -

Vehicle Types -

Power System - 

Insurance Requirements -

Registration/Identification -

Pilot Qualifications -

Airframe Certification -

Operational Mode -

Operational Location/Environment -

Now, go forth define exactly what standards you think our hobby vehicles should be held to.

-=Doug