Is it legal?

[capcadetjc]

I was reading the legal stuff a little while ago. Im confused about this UAV certification thing. Is it not legal for me to take a RC plane and put a wireless camera on it and fly it by watching that camera? Im sorry, but Im only 18 and a noob at this.

[Quandumphone]

You are fine. Depending on how far you go with it, the more of a grey area you will fall into. As long as you take into consideration the same types of safety issues you have when flying any other r/c aircraft without the FPV device, I don't think you would fall outside the realm of the hobbyist. If you are planning a longer flight significantly away from the local field, those issues are a bit grey at the moment.

[capcadetjc]

I was planning on maybe flying it over paintball games maybe. So flying it over town is out of the question huh?

[Quandumphone]

I think the easiest way to answer that is look at it from someone elses point of view if something goes bad. They will look at what you were doing and decide if you were operating under the general guidelines of an r/c hobbyist or a bonafide uas operator. One of those would be less of a big deal if there were an accident, the other would be a higher form of negligent operation. So, you pretty much have to make your own judgement call there. It's not really the FPV device that's the issue, it's how you operate the aircraft in general. These, of course, are just my opinions but I think it's a decent interpretation of the grey areas.

Personally I'd do the paintball game with some care to make it safe but have some second thoughts about flying over town. Regardless of the potential for damage, you don't want to lose the thing either if it goes down somewhere.

[smh20502]

From what I recall there is no federal regulations regarding this other than you will need to be able to take over control at any time at any given moment. Also, there is a weight issue...55Lbs, i believe.

Don't do anything wrong that would cause a concern to the average "blue hair" and you'll be ok

[4c3m4n]

1. If the plane goes beyond your line of sight even under 500' = illegal
2. If the plane as an autopilot and in lost comm/lost gps situation it will excute its own flight plan = illegal
3. Flying over populated area = illegal
4. Flying a UAV at your local R/C club flying field = illegal

and so on and so on...

[ShadesOfGray]

1. If the plane goes beyond your line of sight even under 500' = illegal
2. If the plane as an autopilot and in lost comm/lost gps situation it will excute its own flight plan = illegal
3. Flying over populated area = illegal
4. Flying a UAV at your local R/C club flying field = illegal

and so on and so on...

Some of that sounds a little bit like AMA stuff.... Can you tell me where you're getting this from?

[RolandS888]

Here we go again.

[ira d]

The main differance between a uas and a rc plane is where and how its operated
if you over fly areas that you would as rc normaly then its ok but outside of that
its gets into the gray. Also you dont want to conflict with full scale planes.

As has already been said you have think about what if your plane goes down
somewhere what would be the likely result.

[4c3m4n]

Unless the FAA has released a new policy then have a read of this AFS - 400 UAS POLICY 05-01

and this: http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/uas_faq/uas_qa-op/

Just don't confuse yourself with the fine line between Model Aircraft and UAS (pretty fine and pretty gray) - just because no one is going after you and your home brew UAS doens't mean it's not illegal.

[Jack Crossfire]

Having parents who buy FPV equipment for their kids should be illegal.

[Quandumphone]

I didn't mention it before but it would be a good idea to use a spotter when flying with FPV equipment. This will help avoid issues that you might not see with a restricted field of vision.

[rich smith]

None of these are illegal (BTW it's 400'). Learn the difference between FAR (Federal Aviation Rules), FAA AC (Advisory Circular), and AMA clubhouse guidlines.

What these actually are is CS (common sense). :)


1. If the plane goes beyond your line of sight even under 500' = illegal
2. If the plane as an autopilot and in lost comm/lost gps situation it will excute its own flight plan = illegal
3. Flying over populated area = illegal
4. Flying a UAV at your local R/C club flying field = illegal

and so on and so on...

[carguy84]

Having parents who buy FPV equipment for their kids should be illegal.
Much like old people and the internet.

[smh20502]

I'd have to agree, but 400, I believe is the limit within 3 miles of an airport. And only a recommendation on an advisory circular AC 91-57

the laws are really quite clear...the FAA doesn't really have anything different than any other model airplane... less of course you are considering a commercial UAS or Experimental UAS. For what we are doing they have are advisory circulars and leave it up to the AMA to regulate. Follow AC 91-57

http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/reg/index.cfm (go look at policy)

AMA...funny they are not at all associated with any government agency. They can not make laws and can not enforce laws.

So,
1. Stay out of the National Airspace System
2. Have pilot always be able to take over
3. Have anti collision system
4. be able to communicate with ATC

Just for starters...
None of these are illegal (BTW it's 400'). Learn the difference between FAR (Federal Aviation Rules), FAA AC (Advisory Circular), and AMA clubhouse guidlines.

What these actually are is CS (common sense). :)

[small_rcer]

The advisory that I just re-read is very clear on a recommended 400' altitude regardless of proximity of an airport.

If within 3 miles advise the airport operator or another person such as control tower that there is model aircraft flying within 3 miles.

There is clearly stated in the purpose, "encourage voluntary compliance".

When you think of the threads on RCG and RCU of aerial videos taken at altitudes in excess of 1500' above ground, and the many model glider pilots who regularly reach heights of over 1000', the advisory is really just that, an advisory.

Also amazing that the whole circular is just one page in length.

Jim H

[patrickegan]

Changes are on the horizon...

[Gary Evans]

The advisory that I just re-read is very clear on a recommended 400' altitude regardless of proximity of an airport.

If within 3 miles advise the airport operator or another person such as control tower that there is model aircraft flying within 3 miles.

Jim H


The confusion on this point originated because AMA made a typo (intentionally or accidentally) when copying the FAA AC 91-57 into their safety code.

FAA AC 91-57 wording

Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface. When flying aircraft within 3 miles of an airport, notify the airport operator, or when an air traffic facility is located at the airport, notify the control tower, or flight service station.

AMA Safety Code wording

I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately 400 feet above ground level, when within three (3) miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator.

[smh20502]

Thanks for the correction...it was late and I'd had a couple...

AMA...So what...they have no authority.