Folks,
As you know the FAA is midway in a long rulemaking process to figure out how to integrate UAVs in the national airspace, but the bottom line from the inititial recommendations are as follows:
For us (non-commerical hobbyists), you must stay within these limitations:
--fly within line of sight
--under 400' alt
--under 30 knots
--under 4.4lb
--Fly at least 3 miles from any airport
As you're designing your airframes, keep these limits in mind!
This sounds like a parallel to model rocketry legislation. After 911, the gov freaked, and instituted tough regs on
rocket engines and even fireworks. They forbid transport by train, which caused many cities to not be able to get fireworks for the show on July 4. Amateur rocketeers were forced to obtain LEUP Low Explosive User Permits, ship their engines by HazMat, and bury them in explosive magazines in the back yard. It has had an adverse effect on the hobby, many people left. After a 9 year lawsuit by the NAR National Association of Rocketry, and the Tripoli organization, the Federal judge finally ruled in our favor. The ATF can no longer claim that our AP Ammonium Percholorate propellant is HIGH EXPLOSIVE. Duh, the rockets don't blow up on the pad!
You guys need to get a legal team together NOW. Figure out some kind of fund, I myself will contribute. Just a newbie home rolling crude autopilot bits at this time, but already am getting the "wrecked hobby" feeling...
In some respects, these regulations represent some fairly advanced thinking. You'll find the 400 feet rule in here as well. Mind you, we don't have as much air traffic congestion in most areas!
It could possibly be future heaven for the civil UAV market?
I have a 160 acre ranch in NM. My nearest neighbor is 2 miles away. Aircraft around here don't fly lower than 10,000 feet. White Sands missile range is only 150 miles to the south.
And some city slicker wants to say I can't do WHAT ??????????
Come on out west here....we'll straighten ya out.........
[quote]It would be reasonable if there were some airspaces in which private uav operations were less restricted - surely a great deal of "real" america has underutilized airspace.[/quote]
there is - I have to dig-up exact reference but from memory it's part of some gov't / military installation (so restricted airspace) and it costs around $10k / day to rent :)
That document is ridiculous. It has eliminating turbines, limiting weight to 55lbs, banning flights at night, 5 minutes of reserve power, banning pilots from moving vehicles, among others. They might as well throw in a minimum coffee strength rule.
Comments
rocket engines and even fireworks. They forbid transport by train, which caused many cities to not be able to get fireworks for the show on July 4. Amateur rocketeers were forced to obtain LEUP Low Explosive User Permits, ship their engines by HazMat, and bury them in explosive magazines in the back yard. It has had an adverse effect on the hobby, many people left. After a 9 year lawsuit by the NAR National Association of Rocketry, and the Tripoli organization, the Federal judge finally ruled in our favor. The ATF can no longer claim that our AP Ammonium Percholorate propellant is HIGH EXPLOSIVE. Duh, the rockets don't blow up on the pad!
You guys need to get a legal team together NOW. Figure out some kind of fund, I myself will contribute. Just a newbie home rolling crude autopilot bits at this time, but already am getting the "wrecked hobby" feeling...
http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1416/srg_str_00002-01-180604.pdf
Dont forget a framework for commercial use of UAS for aerial photography is on the way and thats cool, at least it will be legal here!!
if you have forked out money for a UAS and its systems you will also be protected from start ups that have not complied.
Personally I think its all good.
In some respects, these regulations represent some fairly advanced thinking. You'll find the 400 feet rule in here as well. Mind you, we don't have as much air traffic congestion in most areas!
It could possibly be future heaven for the civil UAV market?
No commercial flying is permitted.
For most users no flight on any yellow bits of an air chart. etc etc etc
And some city slicker wants to say I can't do WHAT ??????????
Come on out west here....we'll straighten ya out.........
there is - I have to dig-up exact reference but from memory it's part of some gov't / military installation (so restricted airspace) and it costs around $10k / day to rent :)
Along with ground stations measuring in real terms, ie nautical miles.
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