Who gets to run drones and the rules

[Dustbuster]

This is so non gun related but, i know there's some members that enjoy drone discussion. This came from a trade paper i was ingesting:

FWIW:

http://geospatial-solutions.com/five-new-faa-commercial-uav-exemptions-what-do-they-mean/ 

 

By Eric G

 

In a major step towards allowing unmanned aerial systems (UAS, UAV, drones) to be used for commercial purposes in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted five exemptions to four companies this week, allowing commercial UAS operation with an extensive list of conditions and limitations.

If you recall from previous articles such as this one, the FAA says it’s illegal to operate a UAS for commercial purposes in the United States.

But, take a look at this article: FAA Says Commercial Drone Operations Are Illegal… Public Says So What?

Then, when the FAA attempted an enforcement action against a person (Pirker) using a UAS for commercial purposes, an NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) administrative law judge sided with the person, not the FAA.

Clear as mud?

Of course, the FAA appealed the NTSB opinion v. Pirker, and won. Click here to see the documents explaining the decision. Essentially, the NTSB ruled that a UAS is considered close enough to a manned aircraft that UAS fall under similar rules, and that the FAA is within its rights to apply the rules of careless or reckless operations to UAS as it does with manned aircraft.

So, after some legal wrangling, the rules seem to be as the FAA has stated: no commercial UAS operations. However, under order from the Obama Administration, the FAA is working on developing rules to allow commercial UAS operation in the U.S. The deadline for those rules to be released is September 2015, but there is much speculation that this deadline will not be met.

That said, the FAA is not waiting until September 2015.

In June 2014, the FAA issued the first UAS commercial use CoA (Certificate of Waiver or Authorization) to BP (British Petroleum) to allow commercial use of a particular UAS for surveying roads, pipelines and equipment in Alaska.

Then, in September 2014, the FAA issued CoAs to six aerial photo and video production companies in the film and television industry.

It should be noted that each CoA includes an extensive list of conditions and limitations, which are not necessarily the same, but similar (more on that below).

That brings us to yesterday, December 10, 2014. On that day, the FAA announced it has issued exemptions to four companies for commercial UAS operations: Trimble Navigation,VDOS Global LLC, Clayco, and Woolpert.

Looking at these four companies, it’s interesting that three of them are service providers and one is a manufacturer of UAS: Trimble. One might assume that, since Trimble is a manufacturer of UAS, the FAA exemption might carry over to its customers. After checking in with several people on this, the exemption appears to be only for Trimble owned-and-operated UAS, not customers. However, it doesn’t appear that the operator must be a Trimble employee (as opposed to a contractor). In that case, Trimble, as a manufacturer, could potentially deploy hundreds (or thousands) of its UAS under this exemption and have contract pilots operating Trimble-owned UAS.

The exemptions are valid until December 31, 2016 unless rescinded or superceded.

Conditions and Limitations

For each FAA exemption granted, there’s a long list of conditions and limitations for each grantee. You can read the detailed list of these at the bottom of each document issued to the specific company.

Trimble

VDOS Global LLC

Clayco

Woolpert #1, Woolpert #2

Although the conditions and limitations vary with each exemption issued, there are some common to all:

• UAS must operate below 400 feet above ground level.
• UAS must obey the speed limit (varies by UAS).
• UAS must be within VLOS (visual line of sight) at all times by pilot in command.
• All operations must have a second person, a VO (visual observer).
• Pilot in command must possess at least an FAA private pilot certificate (some exemptions require a commercial certificate) and a third-class airman medical certificate.

There are many more conditions and limitations, but this gives you an idea of what is required. The Trimble exemption contains 35 such items, so before you get too excited, take a look at the complete list of conditions and limitations. It’s not a simple endeavor.

On a positive note, the FAA is making an effort and making progress. For an agency that has a reputation of moving very slowly and methodically, this is near lightning speed.

[No_0ne]

For the FAA to move this quickly on something as new as commercial operators of UAS aircraft, somebody with real influence has put heavy pressure on them.  Must be about time for funding renewals ...

[enfield]

Flying radio-controlled aircraft is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of Americans, and it has a long tradition.  The planes didn't become 'drones' until the military got involved.  Now hobbyists are viewed with suspicion by the general public.    :waiting:

[Grand Torino]

Flying radio-controlled aircraft is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of Americans, and it has a long tradition.  The planes didn't become 'drones' until the military got involved.  Now hobbyists are viewed with suspicion by the general public.    :waiting:

Exactly....we flew them as a kid back in the 60's with rubber band powered escapements. :P

[peejman]

Flying radio-controlled aircraft is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of Americans, and it has a long tradition.  The planes didn't become 'drones' until the military got involved.  Now hobbyists are viewed with suspicion by the general public.    :waiting:

 

 

I believe the difference between a drone and a hobby RC aircraft is the capability for autonomous flight.  Anything that doesn't have to be under direct control of an operator 100% of the time is a considered a drone and the FAA wants to regulate them.  I don't think that's unreasonable.  As for being used for commercial purposes, the government just wants to tax that somehow and it's fallen into the FAA's lap.   I'm not sure why the media has made such a big deal over this, other than getting their peepee whacked for using them commercially. 

 

http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/

[E4 No More]

Flying radio-controlled aircraft is a hobby enjoyed by thousands of Americans, and it has a long tradition.  The planes didn't become 'drones' until the military got involved.  Now hobbyists are viewed with suspicion by the general public.    :waiting:

Well, you DO look a little off. :)

[bersaguy]

Just an answer to the question:

 

Obama can use drones anytime he chooses to and he plays by no rules except his own.................jmho

[Dustbuster]

But u forgot the missing order: Benghazi no drones for you!

[bersaguy]

But u forgot the missing order: Benghazi no drones for you!

I thought they said Drones where in the area but they were not armed drones. Just snooping type was all.............jmho

[btq96r]

For the FAA to move this quickly on something as new as commercial operators of UAS aircraft, somebody with real influence has put heavy pressure on them.  Must be about time for funding renewals ...

 

Business wants to be able to explore what UAV's can do.  Amazon and Google are the biggest names to be interested, and more than likely pushing behind the scenes on this issue.  Even USAA can see UAV's being used to help with the insurance claims process.

 

I think the fact that the U.S. Army let's MOS qualified enlisted personnel fly the Shadow UAV system, instead of commissioned or warrant officers, will become a precedent for the FAA to set up a fast track for civilian operation. 

 

Regardless, I see widespread UAV use in the commercial and civilian market by 2020.

[btq96r]

Looks like the push for a baby step trial run on commercial drone use has already started. 

http://m.bbc.com/news/business-31975464