US FAA Guidelines for Multi-rotors?

Mike

Mike

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So are the kinds of multi-rotors we're building considered "Model Aircraft" or "Small Unmanned Aircraft"?

If it's the latter, I think we're all breaking the law in the US.

Small Unmanned Aircraft
Small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) are likely to grow most quickly in civil and commercial operations because of their versatility and relatively low initial cost and operating expenses. The FAA is working on a proposed rule governing the use of a wide range of small civil unmanned aircraft systems.

The 2012 reauthorization bill also directed the FAA to “allow a government public safety agency to operate unmanned aircraft weighing 4.4 pounds or less” under certain restrictions. The bill specified these UAS must be flown within the line of sight of the operator, less than 400 feet above the ground, during daylight conditions, inside Class G (uncontrolled) airspace and more than five miles from any airport or other location with aviation activities.

Prior to the congressional action, the FAA and the Justice Department had been working on an agreement to streamline the COA process for law enforcement – an agreement that also meets the mandate. Initially, law enforcement organizations will receive a COA for training and performance evaluation. When the organization has shown proficiency in flying its UAS, it will receive an operational COA. The agreement expands the allowable UAS weight up to 25 pounds.
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From:

http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=14153

Also (not updated since 1981):

Model Aircraft
Recreational use of airspace by model aircraft is covered by FAA Advisory Circular 91-57, which generally limits operations to below 400 feet above ground level and away from airports and air traffic. In 2007, the FAA clarified that AC 91-57 only applies to modelers, and specifically excludes individuals or companies flying model aircraft for business purposes.

The FAA guidance is available at: http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/91-57.pdf
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Okay, I did some more research and found out that it is generally understood that recreational use of quadcopters is legal in the US, but any commercial use is technically not?

But the other reason to focus on consumer drones is that commercial drones are technically illegal in the United States. The American Federal Aviation Administration hasn’t issued rules yet for how unmanned aircraft will fit into the already bustling skies safely, nor to address the inevitable privacy concerns that come with everyone being able to buy an aerial camera. The agency has advised that they not be used for commercially, even busting Los Angeles realtors for using a drone to take aerial film of a property. While enforcement is spotty, most commercial users are leery of the risk.
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That clears it up regarding commercial vs. recreational, but #2 still might be a gray area depending on the FPV system being used. If you use a long range system, is it still legal?
 
Line of sight is line of sight. Basicly if you can't see it anymore, you're breaking the rules. Most FPV flyers are out of sight from the launch area.
 
Either way, I think it would be a hard case to prove one way or another - unless you have a long range system and you're flying a mile+ away.
 
I have called the FAA in Ohio and found it is ok to fly them for hobby and you do have to be able to see it. I am not granted permission to sell the photos I take from my quadcopter because that would mean I was doing it for profit. If you apply for an experimental license you can fly them above the 400 foot level but you still can't sell your photos. The laws they are try to pass aren't trying to take away our hobby for the most part. They are trying to pass laws to allow us to make money from or small flying models as long as we get licensed and prove we can control them responsibly and safely.
 
Great info LRRC. I am both for and against some regulation. On one hand, in the wrong hands, our quads could be pretty dangerous, so it would weed out some idiots. On the other hand, requiring licenses and flight readiness checks on our copters will just about kill the hobby. It will take more time to get flying and would be be way more expensive to get into the hobby. And because less people will get into the hobby, the parts will likely go up in price as well as a lot of places/sites that manufacture and/ or sell parts will probably close up shop. With this guy cutting half his head off with his RC helicopter a couple weeks ago, I'm sure the topic will get even more attention from the government now.
 
Ooh, good point. I think if you are going to make money from these things and fly them in populated areas you should have to pass an inspection to show you can fly. I don't want a 5 pound weight hitting me. lol. Hobbyist shouldn't be regulated who fly in good flying areas. Heck, I just saw a video of a dude following a rollercoaster with people on it and he almost hit when it turned fast. Not cool.
 
Banning them? I don't think so and here is why. Regulations, maybe but banning no. A few people kill people with guns. Are they banned? A few people violate peoples rights with video camcorders a bazillion times more than with aerial units. It isn't illegal to video anyone in public or take their picture from a plane or helicopter no matter what height your at as long as you don't record the audio of their conversation. People kill people with baseball bats but they aren't banned. People invade others privacy with bionic ears but they aren't banned. See, the devices aren't what is being banned it is a law that is passed to make what you do with it illegal. If they were to ban video taping from the skies against the law they would have to shut down millions of public access satellite imagery websites and we know that wont happen. If someone hurts someone else because of their negligence in taking precautions to safeguard all of those on the ground underneath their flying model they are open for civil law suit and negligent assault or manslaughter charges just as if they were negligent in the operation of a plane or automobile.
We all know that the feds are under strict notice to start allowing domestic drones and flying aerial photography models into the sky by 2015 so I really think we are safe with our quads. We just might have to be restricted on flights over cities and highly populated areas.
 
Guns banned? Not yet, but if some people get their way they will be. They use media hype to drive their agenda. While I did say that the public will want to ban them, I did not say that they would, but I did say that there will be more restrictions on the hobby. I personally welcome the chance to use aerial photography as a money making venture and I am fully expecting some sort of registration or licensing. This is a positive thing in my opinion for the for-profit segment of the hobby, but I hope that the civilian side of the hobby stays relatively regulation free. I suppose the publics actions will dictate what happens. If drones outfitted with firearms keep popping up on youtube it will most certainly make it tough to continue without heavy regulations.
 
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