30km (18.6mi) Autonomous Flight!

BluSky1 October 27, 2013 at 9:06am

Good video Trent just consider everything when flying long range and the outcome if something goes horribly wrong.

Nathaniel Caner October 27, 2013 at 8:50am

@BluSky1

As I said before, we have taken this off-topic enough and I won't continue this debate here Let's get back on topic and allow Trent's post to continue. I have sent you a Friend Request and would encourage you to accept it if you would like to continue this debate. Either that or submit a blog post of your own on the subject.

Regards,

Nathaniel ~KD2DEY

BluSky1 October 27, 2013 at 8:38am

So what your saying is the FAA is allowing a AMA to make laws.. ROFL
Try that in court =)

You should get a lawyer to explain this to you and research it for you like I have

Sec 336 says "guidelines" the AMA is not allowed to create enforceable policy so it wont matter what the 2014 AMA "guidelines" say =)
I discourage anyone doing anything dangerous and All of my flights are LOS and under 400 Feet.
Frankly we have enough laws in this country already. If you hurt someone or damage property or invade someone's privacy as result of your actions the means should not matter if you used a brick, a gun, a rc plane or rc helicopter.

Just like the idiot who flew the phantom in Manhattan and endangered many lives the laws are already in place to deal with this behavior. lock him up.

Guideline
is a statement by which to determine a course of action. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice. By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory. Guidelines are not binding and are not enforced.

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Nathaniel Caner October 27, 2013 at 7:35am

@BlueSky1

Correct, there is no altitude limit set in that document. However two things, first I didn't make reference to you specifically about altitude limits, only the fact that there were laws in general that applied to model aircraft. Second, point #2 in Section 336 of PLAW 112-95 states:

the aircraft is operated in accordance with a communitybased
set of safety guidelines and within the programming
of a nationwide community-based organization;

The AMA is our "community based" organization here in the USA, and while there rules don't currently prohibit flight above 400', it is discouraged and will likely change in the AMA's 2014 rules.

Your first definition of "Line of Sight" is the one we're looking for here.

@Trent

Sorry for taking you post off-topic, I won't go here again. Keep up the good work, just weigh the advice carefully.

Best Regards,

Nathaniel ~KD2DEY

BluSky1 October 27, 2013 at 5:34am

FAA Modernization And Reform Act 2012 [H.R.658.ENR] SEC.336

SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.

(a) INGENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law

relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal

Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle,

the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may

not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft,

or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if—

(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational

use;

(2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-

based set of safety guidelines and within the programming

of a nationwide community-based organization;

(3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless

otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection,

flight test, and operational safety program administered

by a community-based organization;

(4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere

with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and

(5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator

of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air

traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at

the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft

operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an

airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating procedure

with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control

tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport)).

(b) STATUTORYCONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall

be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue

enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who endanger

the safety of the national airspace system.

(c) MODELAIRCRAFTDEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘model

aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft that is—

(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere

(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating

the aircraft; and

(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.

There is no altitude limit listed in that document.

The legal definition of

"Line of Sight."

1: a line from an observer's eye to a distant point

2: the line between two points; specifically : the straight path between a transmitting antenna (as for radio or television signals) and a receiving antenna when unobstructed by the horizon

Moderator

Nathaniel Caner October 26, 2013 at 6:05pm

@BluSky1

You are correct in that AC91-57 are guidelines only, and that following those guidelines are voluntary. However there are laws currently in effect that do apply to model aircraft. PLAW 112-95 in effect since February 2012 Section 336 (Special Rule For Model Aircraft) basically puts into law what previously was only a guideline in AC91-57.

You can read through Section 336 of PLAW 112-95 (starting on pg 67) on the FAA.gov website.

Regards,

Nathaniel ~KD2DEY

BluSky1 October 26, 2013 at 4:28pm

Great flight Trent, As someone who has gotten a lot of attention lately.

There are no rules that FAA currently has that govern Model Airplanes there are only guidelines. if you go outside of those guidelines and hurt people or cause property damage expect uncle sam to sock it to you =)

1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular outlines, and encourages voluntary
compliance with, safety standards for model aircraft operators.

vol·un·tar·y

ˈvälənˌterē/

adjective

adjective: voluntary

1.

done, given, or acting of one's own free will.

"we are funded by voluntary contributions"

synonyms: optional, discretionary, elective, noncompulsory, volitional;
permissive

"attendance is voluntary"

So that means everything in AC 91-57 is voluntary not mandatory

That being said you can ignore the guidelines at your own risk if something happens uncle sam will throw the book at you and consider you at fault.

define optional - Google Search

Alex October 26, 2013 at 3:59pm

Already done... Altitude 3800m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNEPidLLO4E

Moderator

Gary Mortimer October 26, 2013 at 1:25pm

You should also remove the camera on the nose it must be adding a whack of drag

frederic reblewski October 26, 2013 at 1:23pm

the bottom line is that if you want to optimize you need to have solid data ( and a program to gather that is a lot of work in itself ) but then you can expect to really improve. but of course the empirical approach is fine too. after all the most important part is to have fun.

yes when the propeller tip reaches the sound barrier a lot of complex things occur that are not good for the efficiency.

here you can find a simple calculator of motor/ airframe/ prop matching. do not take the absolute values literally it is just for you to see the impact of matching. but if you plug in your setup you will see that the efficiency is barely at 50 % now if you just move from 1:1 ratio and 10x6 prop to 1.5:1 gear ratio and 14x9 prop the efficiency is above 75%

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30km (18.6mi) Autonomous Flight!

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