First, I'd say I certainly have a question on the FAA having jurisdiction over drones.. especially if they are flown for non-commercial use. Bet even if they are... as long as they meet aviation guidelines I'd question if the FAA has power over their use. Following the FAA claims, they can govern paper airplane flights.... commercial or not.
Second, at first glance I'd say the FAA is being a bully with these letter. I think that much is true. They know as well as anyone else that they would not be able to enforce any of their claims.
But lastly... and after I got over my knee jerk reaction... I would need to say that I may understand where they are coming from. They had a complaint filed. We all know when this is done that a gov't body needs to take action. I can sue someone for giving me a dirty look. The court system still needs to follow the law. Same here... a complaint was filed so the FAA is required to react. I think they know it's a crap claim. Notice that they even state that it's usually the case of a competitor filing the complaint. They know businesses and people are simply doing this to intimidate their competition. But the FAA still needs to react. I'm guessing that they kicked out this blanket statement letter even though part of it did not apply. Because it's the letter they use in 99.99% of these complaints. However, I _still_ blame the FAA as they pronounced themselves the king of the drone castle so I feel they created their own "rock and a hard place". They have no business telling people when they are flying unsafe. That is a job for the policy, not the FAA.
Second, at first glance I'd say the FAA is being a bully with these letter. I think that much is true. They know as well as anyone else that they would not be able to enforce any of their claims.
But lastly... and after I got over my knee jerk reaction... I would need to say that I may understand where they are coming from. They had a complaint filed. We all know when this is done that a gov't body needs to take action. I can sue someone for giving me a dirty look. The court system still needs to follow the law. Same here... a complaint was filed so the FAA is required to react. I think they know it's a crap claim. Notice that they even state that it's usually the case of a competitor filing the complaint. They know businesses and people are simply doing this to intimidate their competition. But the FAA still needs to react. I'm guessing that they kicked out this blanket statement letter even though part of it did not apply. Because it's the letter they use in 99.99% of these complaints. However, I _still_ blame the FAA as they pronounced themselves the king of the drone castle so I feel they created their own "rock and a hard place". They have no business telling people when they are flying unsafe. That is a job for the policy, not the FAA.