3D Robotics

3689442345?profile=originalPlease see this warning from the Los Angeles Police Department, sent to the California Association of Realtors. Discussion on helifreak here.  More background and discussion here. I'll be talking to the NYT about this tomorrow. 

Short form: Amateur UAV use within the usual FAA guidelines (under 400ft, within visual line-of-sight, away from built-up-areas) is allowed, as always. But commercial use requires a COA, which you're not going to get. So there's nothing new here, but it's a reminder that the guidelines will be enforced.

LAPD Warning Against Hiring Unmanned Aircraft Operators for Aerial Photos

Los Angeles authorities have asked C.A.R. to communicate this warning to REALTORS® who hire unmanned aircraft operators to take aerial photographs for marketing high-end properties.  Using these devices (also known as drones) for flight in the air with no onboard pilot may violate, among other things, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy on unmanned aircrafts, and Los Angeles's local ordinance requiring permits for filming commercial motion pictures and still photographs.

The Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) investigation has apparently revealed that aerial photos where unmanned aircraft were observed have appeared on certain real estate sales websites.  According to FilmL.A., the LAPD Air Division has issued this warning as it intends to prosecute violators in the near future.  FilmL.A. is a public benefit company created by the City and County of Los Angeles to manage film permit activity and related issues.

Under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s current policy, no one can operate an unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System without specific authority.  Operators who wish to fly an unmanned aircraft for civil use must obtain an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate, which will not be issued to an unmanned aircraft used for compensation or hire. Although the FAA allows hobbyists to fly model airplanes for recreational purposes under specific guidelines, that authority does not extend to operators flying unmanned aircraft for business purposes. More information is available from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Notice on Unmanned Aircraft Operations and the FAA's policy. 

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Comments

  • So glad I live in the wild wild east!

  • They are not regulating your technology.  They are regulating our airspace.

    They don't care that they don't know your technology.  They care that you don't know about everything there is to know about their airspace.

  • I am not completely against regulations and fees There are reasonable fees for a business license thats ok you register a boat or car …. thats ok .. but i am afraid with out input from UAV users the regs and fees will be used to protect and even the playing field to the point that UAV commercial use will not be able to compete with piloted aircraft. And for so many uses GIS, Land engineering etc., a UAV is the future for safe cost effective projects… 

  • Hey Brad you can vote for Ron Paul and go to https://www.popvox.com/bills#issue=174 and tell your congressman how you feel on these issue,s and ask your friends and family to too. Wake up the sheeple.have you heard of NDAA indefinite detention no trial,no charges , no lawyer  and FEMA camps there real there already putting people in them. you know what the different s is in NC and CAL the good people around here have guns and know how to use them . when the people fear the government that,s a dictatorship ,the government should fear the people ! FREEDOM is,nt free ! sorry about the rant but it kills me to see my country destroyed ...

  • Ok Im not sure just how to support UAV rights both private and commercial. Anyone know who is doing what?

    Who is representing UAV interests?


  • How can this kind of flying while filming motorcycles on Mulholland...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eKsDwU7kdo

    be less dangerous to life and property than a 4 pound quad rotor?

    BTW. The heli in the YouTube video (N4177R) is owned by a company called Air & Land Ventures.  Here is a link to an incident involving another Air & Land Ventures R44...

    http://aircrashed.com/aircraft/aLAX08LA183.shtml

    All of this protection is killing this country.

  • Jay, Lebdog, have a safe trip.

  • OK take care

  • Well, they would see they the people of America have not fought for their civil rights for decades.  They have allowed politicians and corporations to take over and exclusively serve greedy corporations.  With the economy of the US in the toilet, maybe the FAA clown could look at the opportunity to license multi-copter pilots for FPV and other activities, rather than blanket restrict them..  
    When those sleeping, who have slept through the complete molestation of the US constitution talk about mentality, well, bummer for those willing to stand up for their rights..  Jay is right, this country is sailing way off course, all outside nations are mocking us for the fools we are..
    I am leaving the US for Mexico within the next 30 days because I walk the walk..  
    Too bad for the rest of the US, most people just talk! 

  • So if Mr. FAA was to see these kind of comments (and they do) he would see the kind of mentality they have to deal with.

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