LuvMyTJ said:
Monte55 said:
Is it a law or just a suggestion that we fly line of sight.
There are no laws yet (aside from government installations, power plants, etc that apply to everything, not just UAV''s in particular) but a set of guidelines that are commonly referred to as laws by the media (the 400' rule is in there). There will be laws on the books very soon. See the AMA link here discussing the proposed laws and send in a comment -
http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=36652
Whomever wrote that for the AMA probably hasn't read the NPRM.
The bullet points in the template will not apply to hobby sUAVs, so any comments by AMA members using that template will likely be lumped into a single reply from the FAA.
However, the proposed rules do codify AC 91-57 by adding text to Part 101 that
does prohibit
any FPV by hobby pilots and certificated operators.
§ 101.1
Applicability.
(a)(5) Any model aircraft that meets the conditions specified in § 101.41. For purposes of this part, a model aircraft is an unmanned aircraft that is:
(i) Capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere;
(ii) Flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and
(iii) Flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
Ironically, I don't see any reference to an altitude ceiling. On the other hand, because of the law from Congress that forbids regulating hobby aircraft, the FAA will be able to use a violation of AMA rules as a pretext to prosecute hobby pilots:
PUBLIC LAW 112–95
pertaining to model aircraft
SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if—
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(2)
the aircraft is operated in accordance with a community- based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
This is codified in the proposed rule practically verbatim:
§ 101.41
Applicability.
This subpart prescribes the rules governing the operation of a model aircraft that meets all of the following conditions as set forth in section 336 of Public Law 112-95:
(a) The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
(b)
The aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization;
So, there it is - AMA rules = FAA rules as proposed in the NPRM. You bust an AMA rule while flying as a hobby, then the FAA will be able to prosecute you under § 101.41(b)
.