"The FAA has released a set of cease and desist letters sent in 2012 and 2013 to people operating drone vehicles for a variety of purposes including: tornado research, inspecting gas well stacks, aerial photography, journalism education, and other purposes. Drone cease and desist letters sent during 2014 are available from the FAA upon request." The text of the letters (bureaucratically polite, but bureaucratically firm) often starts with notes indicating that the UAV operators to whom they were sent that the FAA became interested in them because it "became aware of" their web sites, or even because someone tipped them off about an article in a community newsletter. The letters go on to outline the conditions under which the FAA allows the operation of unmanned aircraft, and specifically notes: Those who use UAS only for recreational enjoyment, operate in accordance with Advisory arcular 91-57. This generally applies to operations in remotely populated areas away from airports, persons and buildings, below 400 feet Above Ground Level, and within visual line of sight. On February 6, 2007 the FAA published UAS guidance in the Federal Register, 14 CPR Part 91 / Docket No. FAA-2006-25714 I Unmanned Airaaft Operations in the National Airspace System. Toward the end of the docket it says, ''The FAA recognizes that people and companies other than modelers might be flying UAS with the mistaken understanding that they are legally operating under the authority of AC 91-57. AC 91-57 only applies to modelers, and thus specifically excludes Its use by pecions or companies for business purposes."
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That something is somone's hobby, does not make it legal. And there are other complications. In Arizona, my hobby may be barbecuing, but I can't do that at the AMA club because of serious wild fire dangers. So the government does have the right to legislate safety rules, even if it impinges on a hobby. Here in Arizona, if commercial drones become legal, I expect the government to legislate that they cannot use LiPo battery packs, because of the danger of wild fire in case of a crash. The government should be able to legislate self-sealing fuel tanks, for "drones" using liquid fuel.
On the other hand, if the EPA wants to start regulating exhaust from AMA aircraft engines, fair is fair, I would like to see opacity rules laid down for backyard barbecues! Wouldn't that piss of Texans!
In America, the AMA sanctions flying at accredited AMA flying fields, within line of sight. Flying anything outside these guidelines should not be confused with AMA model flying. Commercial "drone" pilots often disregard AMA safety rules by flying over people, and inhabited structures (including cars), and by flying in FAA controlled airspace.
Those who fly "drones" in FAA airspace should be subject to FAA rules, and legal penalties.
Because the AMA has a well tested structure of safety rules, I would like to see commercial "drone" pilots who are AMA members, and have an aircraft that meets all AMA safety standards, to be allowed to fly at sanctioned AMA flying clubs (within AMA flight patterns and rules). There should be no federal or state licensing of AMA aircraft that fly at AMA fields.
By the way, I think that Amazon (or UPS) is being horrendously irresponsible by stating that they are planning for drone deliveries. This will mean small, unmanned aircraft flying over inhabited structures (houses, and cars) and invading the privacy of a homeowner. I consider the issues are danger to humans, privacy, a waste of resources, and simple sky pollution.
If "drone highways" are established, these could degrade property prices. I also see serious problems in controlling a dense highway of drones. Drones do not have the speed to get out of the way of a full-sized aircraft, just as AMA fliers at the AMA club do not have the speed to avoid a full-sized helicopter that is flying without any situational awareness across the AMA field. There will be full-sized aircraft that fly through "drone highways".
Bill, if a Realtor uses the video for marketing, then the FAA considers your flight a commercial use.
I doubt the FAA is "scanning the web" - just let Google do it for you. Anyone can create a Google Alert.
Then you have an unusual hobby, but a perfectly legal one :)
What if my hobby was photographing real estate, farms and power lines from a drone?
I think it means offer to use the Drone for free. Charge money for something not related.
what does it mean to casual flyers who do photography as a hobby?
Why just the IP and not just mask whole sections coming from similar sources? Even better dynamic content aimed at the intended visitors, oh yeah that is advertising these days, so apply proper advertising ;)
Having a website does not constitute operations. They can send all the letters they want.
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