After a few weeks of administrative processing it is finally here, the "Attestation de conception de type" (Type certificate) allows the 3DRobotics IRIS to fly legally in France in scenarios S1, S2 and S3. S3 meaning it can fly in urban areas as well !
We're working with the DGAC on revision 2 of the type certificate to get the IRIS+ approved.
The IRIS+ looks like a great enhancement of the 1st version and we can't wait to receive ours to try it out. Along with the Gopro 3, this is a great setup, looking more and more like a tool than a toy.
Working out of the box, easy to fly and carry, capable of 4K video and benefitting from all the features of the Pixhawk controller, no doubt the IRIS+ will be a great machine for numerous jobs.
With more lightweight sensors coming up (multispectral and thermal cameras, LIDARS, etc) the IRIS+ may also proves to be pretty versatile.
Now if Teradek or Paralinx could make a 4K, sub-milliseconde latency, lightweight wireless video transmitter... (providing that the GoPro does indeed output 4k over HDMI).
Here's a quick recap of S1, S2 & S3 scenarios :
S1
Max altitude : 150 meters (490 feet)
Max horizontal distance from pilot : 100 meters (330 feet)
Max Take Off Weight : 25kg (55 lb)
Outside of urban areas
The pilot must maitain visual contact with the UAV at all time
S2
Max altitude : 100 meters (330 feet)
Max horizontal distance from pilot : 100 meters (330 feet)
Max Take Off Weight : 25kg (55 lb)
Outside of urban areas
FPV flight allowed
S3
Max altitude : 150 meters (490 feet)
Max horizontal distance from pilot : 100 meters (330 feet)
Max Take Off Weight : 4kg (8.8 lb)
Over urban areas (as defined by OACI maps)
The pilot must maitain visual contact with the UAV at all time
S4
Max altitude : 150 meters (490 feet)
Max horizontal distance from pilot : unlimited
Max Take Off Weight : 2kg (4.4 lb)
Outside of urban areas
FPV Mandatory
More informations about the scenarios can be found here (french) : http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/tableau-synthese-aeronefs-telepilotes.pdf
Comments
This process is the same we do in France on cars, if you bought an unknown car or if you build one you need to go to the departement of transportation to certify it.
@benoit : we keep in touch, that s really good news for us.
That's a very good news ! gonna be able walk and work in the cities :)
Very Very nice! Congrats! A great move in the right direction.
Regarding french type approval - perhaps you can explain, for the benefit of the international audience, what this process is and why it is required?
Indeed this was a joke based on person experience, apologies. I have just been dealing with French authorities over a very minor tax issue, and it has taken 8 months to resolve. I am not alone either.
Swiss regulations are already defined, and poorly thought out. Are you saying they are looking for type approval as well?
@Jack I'm pretty sure Chris's new friend Richard just bought France.
@nicolas: this was a bad joke about French administration from Euan
But is the DGAC a partner of 3DR?
At least that administration tried to do something unlike many other EU countries.
The current law is not perfect but it is a start.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next