SteveMann said:
I have to agree with DirkClod - your questions sound just like what a poorly-informed reporter would ask.
Just to clarify, what part of my questions sound as poorly-informed? because I'm asking very valid questions here.
SteveMann said:
The vast majority of drone flyers rarely go over 200 ft AGL and most aren't near airports. So the question of airspace limitations are pretty moot.
well, I found posts of people flying at 5000 feet AGL... that's why I'm asking if people are aware of airspace limitations, my question remains valid.
SteveMann said:
Wow, where to begin? You see so many posts regarding the FAA's slow response to regulating light drones for commercial use because there is a huge pent-up anticipation by thousands of drone owners who want to make a business from aerial photography, and they want to do it legally. There probably haven't been many posts about airspace because I suspect that most drone flyers already know where the airspace restrictions begin. Some don't, and they are the ones that make the news. And, yes, you can legally fly a drone to 5,000 ft. There are no rules against it as long as you keep the drone out of controlled airspace. The vast majority of the airspace in the USA is Class "G" where you could fly as high as 18,000 ft MSL.
Thank you, because you just answered my original question. You don't know much about airspace it seems and that worries me double with you in particular.
But here, let me give you a refresher course:
Class G airspace (yes, that's where you should be flying drones) goes only as high as 1,200ft AGL but never exceeding 14,500 MLS.
I really don't know where did you get the 18,000 ft MLS, but please go back to the books...
Also, the majority of space is class "E".
So, in short, if you're a drone pilot, stay below 1,200ft AGL and 700ft AGL in selected areas, and if you're going to answer about something you are not sure, then better don't answer at all. you're misinforming people that want to learn and they might think your statements are true, which they aren't.
Anyways, I'm curious about it because while I do recognize that this is a hobby derived from the RC world it's gotten way more advanced and autopilots and GPS nowadays allow for flying without line of sight and that is a game changer.
SteveMann said:
Is there a question here?
My question was already established above.
Also, another question I have is, would people here be in favor of regulations when it comes to drone pilots? similar to training to achieve a sports pilot license (maybe not as in depth..)
SteveMann said:
first, I am a commercial pilot, owned my own Cessna for 15 years and have well over 1,200 hours in the cockpit. I spent about $10,000 dollars in the 1980's to get my license and ratings (IFR and CFI). But I think the Sports Pilot's license is still overkill. Those of us who want to fly drones for compensation (FAA-speak) would welcome some kind of reasonable regulations from the FAA. First, once the FAA "legalizes" commercial light drone operations, we will be able to get insurance. Also, local laws (read: Texas) that unreasonably restrict aerial photography by drone will be superseded by the Federal law. And idiots with guns (I.E. Fox News viewers ) who shoot drones down can be prosecuted for interfering with air commerce. What I would like to see is the model set by Transport Canada (this is paraphrased for simplicity) where you take a one-day course in safety, weather, airspace and common sense. Then when you pass a test you get a certificate that TC accepts as validation of your ability to fly safely.
Ok, this is why it worries me double with you. You are/were a CFI and you don't know airspace!!! which is probably the MOST important topic in a private pilot checkride or written exam!!! I hope for the safety of many GA pilots that you're staying on the ground, and fly your drone in class G. Thank you in advance!
Reason I'm asking is again, because I see many people flying drones in ways/places you're not supposed to and while this is cutting edge technology, and while I don't have data on drone accidents, it seems pretty evident that the accident ratio is elevated.
This alone makes me think you're a reporter trolling for a story based on your erroneous assumptions. Just where do you "see many people flying in ways/places you're not supposed to..."? Considering that there are tens of thousands of these light drones in the US and the news, even the fear-mongering Fox news can't find more than a handful of drones causing problems. Seriously, point me to one, just one example of your "many people". Pirker? Here's a quote from the American Bar Association:
The FAA is losing more enforcement cases than it is winning. An administrative law judge at the NTSB, in the Pirker case, held that the FAA cannot impose penalties for violating rules that do not exist. There is no rule that prohibits commercial microdrone flight, only an FAA position.
The drone over the Hudson River? The helicopter pilot's did not know what they were seeing, and they, the helicopter pilots, chased the drone, not the other way around.
Of course you don't have data on drone accidents. There are none. Yes, there have been a few accidents that caused injury - usually to the drone operator. Some point to the death of a child when an R/C helicopter went out of control in Seremban, Malaysia, but that was not a drone - it was a scale model gas-powered helicopter with three-foot aluminum props. Drones generally have five to eight-inch props of plastic or carbon fiber. A whole lot less mass. Yes they can cause a nasty hematoma and even require stitches, but I am still waiting for a news report documenting anyone in the US injured by a drone accident who is not involved with the flight. Still waiting.
So, come clean - why are you asking?[/quote][/quote]
Again, you just made a whole movie in your mind, congrats, you can write a script for it based on my simple questions. Just check the forums, this one in particular, look at YouTube, search for flyaway drone. I was merely asking if the community would be in favor of creating a certification, nothing more, nothing less. Note that I said, it seems like the accident ratio is elevated and that's based on the research conducted online. Many drones prone to failures, sure, the technology is new and it's prone to failure like anything brand new, but at the same time, educating drone pilots wouldn't hurt and that's what I was asking. Thanks for bringing up those cases yo mentioned, I didn't hear about them so I'll look them up.
Oh, and more more thing...
please stay on the ground, and if you fly, grab a quick refresher with a current CFI. Thanks