Posted on 06/30/2014 4:26:12 PM PDT by Enlightened1
According to a notice released by the United States Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration last Monday, the new regulations now include Amazon drones and even some toy planes.
Before Monday's notice, the FAA had distinguished model aircraft from small drones according to their usage: commercial or recreational. Hobbyists were free to use model aircraft as they pleased but with these new rules, even toy quadcopters are considered drones and require users to have special permits to operate them. The Hubsan FPV X4 Mini RTF Quadcopter is targeted towards children but this, and other first-person-view model aircraft, will require a permit to fly. Models must be visible at all times, without vision-enhancing devices, which will limit how far children, or adults, can use these devices. Vision-enhancing devices include binoculars, night-vision goggles, powered vision-magnifying devices, and goggles that give users a "first-person view" from the model itself. "Such devices would limit the operator's field of view thereby reducing his or her ability to see and avoid other aircraft in the area," explained the FAA. "Additionally, some of these devices could dramatically increase the distance at which an operator could see the aircraft, rendering the statutory visual-line-of-sight requirements meaningless."
While toy planes may require a permit under the FAA's rules, the agency made it very clear that commercial use of drones is illegal. The FAA did not call out Amazon's drones specifically, but stated that model aircraft, including drones, are not to be used for "payment or commercial purposes." Even if the shipping is free with Amazon drones, it would still be considered commercial use and therefore illegal use. Amazon's vice president of global public policy, Paul Misener, responded saying that this "has no effect on our plans" and that the new regulations were "about hobbyists and model aircrafts, not Amazon."
(Excerpt) Read more at en.kioskea.net ...
A regulation is not a law and the FAA will get spanked down in court for overreaching again.
This is ridiculous and will not stand.
I half thought about getting a copter and a Hero 3 for some Youtube stuff. A few months back at a 5k my wife ran, there was a guy with that setup that was apparently hired to do the race on video.
No they won’t.
I can’t believe the AMA (the model aircraft guys, not the doctor guys) will allow this to stand without lobbying congress to clarify the rules.
I don't see me applying to the king for permission to fly it.
/johnny
I know more than one commercial photographer that uses a quad to take aerial photos for profit. I guess tough luck for them, huh?
I’ve been getting YouTube ads from these guys lately:
http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/
They have one drone setup with built in camera, and a headset for the operator that creates the visual illusion that you’re actually in the thing.
All sorts of different devices on there.
I'm already ignoring a bunch of other unconstitutional crap. Just one more to add to the stack.
/johnny
There was a photo drone hovering over the entrance to our church on Saturday evening.
I just assumed it was Jeh Johnson & Co. preparing the roundup of Christians.
Well done. Me too. /a Texan
FAA Interpretive Rule addressing “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” Academy of Model Aeronautics response The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has reviewed FAA’s recently released Interpretive Rule in which the agency provided its interpretation of the “Special Rule for Model Aircraft” established by Congress as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95). The Academy is extremely disappointed and troubled by the approach the FAA has chosen to take in regards to this issue.
As a community-based membership association, the AMA has managed and overseen the nation’s model aircraft activity for the past 77 years and has grown to over 165,000 members in all 50 states, the U.S. territories and at military installations around the world. Over the years the Academy has developed an effective safety program that has achieved an exceptional safety record and has evolved to accommodate new technologies, new modeling disciplines, and a diverse aeromodeling community. AMA’s achievements and ability to manage the model aircraft activity in a safe and harmonious fashion was recognized by Congress in its reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration in 2012. In an effort to protect the aeromodeling community from overreaching and onerous regulation, Congress established the Special Rule for Model Aircraft which exempts this activity from regulation provided it is conducted in accordance with and within the safety programing of a community-based organization, AMA.
States AMA President Bob Brown, “The FAA interpretive rule effectively negates Congress’ intentions, and is contrary to the law. Section 336(a) of the Public Law states that, ‘the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft…’, this interpretive rule specifically addresses model aircraft, effectively establishes rules that model aircraft were not previously subject to and is in direct violation of the congressional mandate in the 2012 FAA reauthorization bill.”
The interpretive rule reflects the FAA’s disregard for and its unfamiliarity with the makeup of the modeling community. Nearly 20% of the AMA membership is 19 years old or younger and an even greater percentage is retirees over the age of 65. FAA’s intention to impose a strict regulatory approach to the operation of model aircraft in the hands of our youth and elderly members threatens to destroy a wholesome and enriching activity enjoyed by a vast cross-section of our society.
“AMA cannot support this rule.” said AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson. “It is at best ill-conceived and at worst intentionally punitive and retaliatory. The Academy strongly requests the FAA reconsider this action. The AMA will pursue all available recourse to dissuade enactment of this rule.”
Founded in 1936, the Academy of Model Aeronautics continues to be devoted to the safe and responsible operation of model aircraft. With its nearly 2,400 clubs across the country, it serves as the nation’s collective voice for the aeromodeling community. Headquartered in Muncie IN, AMA is a membership organization representing those who fly model aircraft for recreation and educational purposes.
completely unenforceable
A couple of simple rules will make this all go away:
1) Operator / owner of a RC craft assumes full liability for any damage
2) All flying RC must include identification including Owner’s name, address, and phone number (can be on paper inside the drone)
3) limit the transmit power of the controller to X watts. This will limit the range of the craft
4) RC craft must be directly piloted at all times.
5) No craft to be operated within 2 miles of an airport
6) No craft to be operated above 65 db measured at 1 meter
Number 6 is unrealistic, even for electric aircraft.
Don't add rules that haven't been needed since the 1930s.
Some people just want to make rules....
/johnny
This would be absurd. My micro helis (~300 grams) will continue to operate a lot closer than that to an airport, but within a few yards of me as always.
"While toy planes may require a permit under the FAA's rules"
FAA can pound sand on their rules concerning model aircraft.
/johnny
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