Posts: 349 Threads: 92 Likes Received: 224 in 127 posts Likes Given: 47 Joined: Mar 2019 Reputation: 12 The FAA has released a new Advisory Circular for recreational operations. This one covers topics like safety guidelines, becoming a CBO, educational flying, fixed flying sites, and UAS-only airshows. https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/...d_Copy.pdf We have until August 9th to give the FAA any feedback on this, so not a lot of time. Posts: 4,731 Threads: 392 Likes Received: 3,231 in 1,827 posts Likes Given: 3,214 Joined: Apr 2019 Reputation: 101 This is the one that's gonna get most people ... Quote:2.2.3.1Using a visual observer is necessary if the recreational flyer wants to fly theUA using a first person view (FPV) device. FPV devices are goggle-like viewing devices that the flyer wears allowing the flyer to see the flight from the perspective of a camera mounted on the UA. These FPV devices often provide a restricted view of the surrounding area. ![[-]](https://intofpv.com/images/collapse.png) • Posts: 349 Threads: 92 Likes Received: 224 in 127 posts Likes Given: 47 Joined: Mar 2019 Reputation: 12 (10-Jul-2021, 06:09 PM)the.ronin Wrote: This is the one that's gonna get most people ... Yeah, I hate that the FAA constantly touts the idea that FPV gives you a restricted view or less situational awareness. There are LOTS of situations where FPV can give you a better view or situational awareness. However as part of this and part of TRUST, they push this agenda.  • Posts: 4,731 Threads: 392 Likes Received: 3,231 in 1,827 posts Likes Given: 3,214 Joined: Apr 2019 Reputation: 101 I LOL'ed at the parenthetical here ... Quote:This means either the recreational flyer or a visual observer must be able to see the UA (with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses) ... You know there's that smart ass among us that goes, "so, binoculars ..."  • Posts: 21,218 Threads: 583 Likes Received: 8,948 in 6,622 posts Likes Given: 1,425 Joined: Jun 2018 Reputation: 786 Telescope  • Posts: 590 Threads: 16 Likes Received: 176 in 149 posts Likes Given: 26 Joined: Jun 2021 Reputation: 8 11-Jul-2021, 06:48 PM (This post was last modified: 11-Jul-2021, 06:51 PM by MrSolo.) If someone bugs me about a visual observer while I'm flying I'll just look up and point to any Hawk or Crow in the area.
'That's my pet Crow right there! He watches out for me while I fly. Now please leave me alone"
On a serious note: I want to hate ALL these new regulations, it would be so easy to do so. But unfortunately they are making these for a reason. and that reason is MORONS with Mavics. Last summer here in CA Fire Fighters had to just watch a forest fire burn, they couldn't dump water from the plane because they were grounded due to some moron with a mavic trying to get cool shots of a forest fire. Cost a lot of acres that could have been saved if it hadn't been for that idiot. • Posts: 932 Threads: 49 Likes Received: 192 in 157 posts Likes Given: 186 Joined: Jul 2020 Reputation: 11 11-Jul-2021, 10:31 PM (This post was last modified: 11-Jul-2021, 10:32 PM by Kevin2112.) Why can’t we just have a rule that says if you fly in an unsafe manner you’ll get a fine. I mean come on now they are burning buildings and occupying police stations with charges dropped here in the us but we’re going to stick it to the drone flyers. There’s something else going on and it’s not safety… it’s called monetizing ALL airspace and you can’t won’t and will not have a say about it. I think they are regulating my pursuit of happiness and that’s a right….. oh wait those things we so easily give up these days. If we all strapped parachutes and motors to our backs the governments would be doing the same thing and probably will soon.
Ps not sure how crazy the public will be about drones zipping around them. After a couple good accidents it will be over for those companies as well. • Posts: 5,865 Threads: 47 Likes Received: 2,779 in 2,241 posts Likes Given: 7,627 Joined: Jul 2019 Reputation: 97 Visual observer must be co-located with the pilot; that means being right next to the pilot {so the bird won't work}. Also, the use of visual enhancing devices or "aids" is prohibited {so much for binoculars or telescope}. All kidding aside, you would have to get " caught in the act" to get nipped by that part of the regulation. I doubt that very many pilots will be hassled while they are actually flying. Unless, of course, you are flying where there are people and someone calls the cops. Here is the thing... it will likely be the videos that are posted to the internet {like YouTube} that will get you. I am willing to bet that if you don't post videos, the chances of being noticed by the FAA will be extremely low; unless, of course, you fly where there are people. Check out the video in Post # 36 of Legally flying around the world. It will be average "citizens" turning pilots in to the FAA and the YouTube videos to substantiate the claim. This might not be right, but it is definitely REAL. • Posts: 21,218 Threads: 583 Likes Received: 8,948 in 6,622 posts Likes Given: 1,425 Joined: Jun 2018 Reputation: 786 The likes of JB, Albert Kim, Mr Steele, and a whole host of other US based pilots are STILL regularly posting YouTube videos of their flights where they can be clearly seen in the FPV footage without another single soul anywhere near them. So if those high profile influencers can blatantly get away with flying FPV without a spotter then I guess other people can too. Maybe it is just a case of rolling the dice and hoping for the best that you don't get pulled up. Posts: 67 Threads: 6 Likes Received: 37 in 28 posts Likes Given: 56 Joined: Nov 2020 Reputation: 1 Just a comparison: When was the last time you were checked if your VTX transmitted over 25mW without a Ham license? If you have a Ham license and are transmitting over 25mW, are you displaying your call sign in the OSD? I think this law is similar. Don't misunderstand me, I think the new laws suck. The Caveat: You will have a good amount of trouble, fines and legal issues if you cause an accident and didn't follow the prescribed laws and regulations. Until that accident happens, you will probably be left alone (for the most part)  • Posts: 5,865 Threads: 47 Likes Received: 2,779 in 2,241 posts Likes Given: 7,627 Joined: Jul 2019 Reputation: 97 13-Jul-2021, 01:06 PM (This post was last modified: 13-Jul-2021, 01:21 PM by iFly4rotors.) Hi Snow, I totally agree. It is a roll of the dice.
However, I do believe that one day the JB's and others will get caught up into it.
On the other hand, they will likely go get a Part 107 license {if they haven't already} since their lively hood depends on it.
Since I am not up on what you can, and can not, do with a Part 107 license; I am not sure what is allowed and what is not.
I think that eventually {maybe sooner than I think}, it will come down to either getting a Part 107 license or becoming more like a "Phantom"... like a ghost, stealthy, not seen nor heard... ok, underground.
I believe that the actual flight is very workable especially if the pilot keeps away from people and
keeps the craft from being noticed... like a Phantom in the sky. What? Where?
Again, if no one knows then no one cares. Go fly, be a phantom, be stealthy...just don't post the video.
Posting flight videos on the internet will be the downfall and will likely become very sketchy unless you have a Part 107 license.
[Edit]
Hi Nuxnik,
I totally agree. That is what I have been saying all along. As long as you stay out of the way...be a phantom, a ghost, a stealth pilot, and stay away from people then you will likely be fine. It is now a game of cops and robbers. If we want to play the game, the objective is that we DO NOT GET CAUGHT. Now this sounds pretty simple, but posting videos on the internet is like waving a sign "I DID IT".
Currently, the FAA seems to be letting the average citizen report supposedly illegal flights. On the other hand, the day might come where software is used to scour the internet in search of flight videos, identify the poster, and perhaps even make an initial "judgement" for further review. The FAA doesn't need a battalion of cops, they need automation and staff to review, investigate, and determine illegal flights. • Posts: 21,218 Threads: 583 Likes Received: 8,948 in 6,622 posts Likes Given: 1,425 Joined: Jun 2018 Reputation: 786 (13-Jul-2021, 01:06 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: However, I do believe that one day the JB's and others will get caught up into it.
On the other hand, they will likely go get a Part 107 license {if they haven't already} since their lively hood depends on it.
Since I am not up on what you can, and can not, do with a Part 107 license; I am not sure what is allowed and what is not.
I think that eventually {maybe sooner than I think}, it will come down to either getting a Part 107 license or becoming more like a "Phantom"... like a ghost, stealthy, not seen nor heard... ok, underground. I believe that the actual flight is very workable especially if the pilot keeps away from people and keeps the craft from being noticed... like a Phantom in the sky. What? Where?
Posting flight videos on the internet will be the downfall and will likely become very sketchy unless you have a Part 107 license. JB and some of the other YouTube influencers already have their part 107 license, and some also have a HAM license which is also required to legally fly a model aircraft in the US. However, there are no qualifications that allows you to fly FPV without a spotter in the US as far as I know. Having a part 107 license certainly doesn't allow doing that. The bottom line is that if you don't have a spotter with you then you need to make damn sure that no-one who might have an axe to grind with model aircraft pilots sees you and either confronts you, or reports you to the authorities, whether that be in person or from video footage posted on the internet. What this ultimately means is that FPV pilots will get pushed out to flying spots where there is no other civilisation, and as a result the hobby will start to die out as people just can't be bothered with all the hassle. This is probably exactly what the authorities are hoping for so they can start to clear the 0-400ft airspace for fee paying commercial flights by people just voluntarily giving up the model aircraft hobby through sheer frustration at all the rules and regulations they are legally supposed to follow. Posts: 2,348 Threads: 118 Likes Received: 812 in 659 posts Likes Given: 126 Joined: Feb 2021 Reputation: 20 13-Jul-2021, 03:47 PM (This post was last modified: 13-Jul-2021, 05:32 PM by Rob Axel.) I bring my “visual observer” every time I fly.. when I’m done.. I just deflate her and put her back in the box. Posts: 5,865 Threads: 47 Likes Received: 2,779 in 2,241 posts Likes Given: 7,627 Joined: Jul 2019 Reputation: 97 13-Jul-2021, 04:33 PM (This post was last modified: 13-Jul-2021, 05:50 PM by iFly4rotors.) Good idea  I like it  Now, that is an idea that I can get my head around  Yeah, my observer will always be wearing a mask...due to the COVID virus, you know. The way I see it right now, I have one more video to produce and post...the one for my 5K badge.  After that, I will likely not post any more flight videos. Related threads: [ Announcement ] FAA Launches Recreational Pilot Test - TRUST Legally flying around the world • Posts: 590 Threads: 16 Likes Received: 176 in 149 posts Likes Given: 26 Joined: Jun 2021 Reputation: 8 13-Jul-2021, 11:12 PM (This post was last modified: 13-Jul-2021, 11:14 PM by MrSolo.) I agree. If you don't do anything stupid to get attention on yourself then the FAA wouldn't even know you exist. I fly early every morning. I'm at the park by 7am, put in 4 to 6 packs while making sure to stay away from any dog-walkers. If anyone comes near, I generally drop throttle low as I can while holding altitude to be as quiet as possible and wait for them to go by before I continue flying. Never go over-head of anyone or over their cars. And I always make sure to leave the place clean (no trash left behind ect.) Following these simple rules I'm yet to experience a 'Karen-Event' or police attention. (knocks on wood)
The FAAs primary, secondary, and tertiary concerns are SAFETY. Keeping that in mind, what are they most likely to spend their time worrying about: someone with a quad that weighs 251g, or who flew 3 packs without a spotter; Or - Dentists making stupid decisions in their new Cirrus Jet. Real planes/pilots will always be their primary concern, as long as we don't give them a reason to think otherwise! |
