Good news for all you drone enthusiasts!

Mook

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May 23, 2007
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:ugh::ugh::ugh:

Report: FAA Will Require You to Have a Pilot License to Fly a Drone

There's good news, and there's bad news. The good news is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is getting really close to finalizing its rules for commercial drones. The bad news is that those rules could be terribly restrictive.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the FAA will require commercial drone operators to have a pilot's license and restrict flight times to daylight hours. The new rules will also limit flights to the pilot's line of sight and altitude to 400-feet. The really bad news is that these rules won't just apply for big Predator-sized drones. They'll apply to any unmanned aircraft under 55 pounds. That would include small, affordable, easy-to-fly drones like the DJI Phantom line and the new Parrot Bebop.

So what does all this mean? Well, first of all, it's just a report based on information from "people familiar with the rule-making process," but it's a report from a very trustworthy source. Such restrictive rules definitely aren't what the drone community wants, though. While Hollywood and its big budgets can deal with such serious regulations—in fact, they already are—rules like these could prevent the people who stand to benefit most from drones, people like farmers and search-and-rescue teams. According to WSJ, the FAA is actually going to "require dozens of hours flying manned aircraft" in order to receive a commercial drone pilot license. Farmers don't have the time or money to do that.

All that said, there are a couple of reasons not to freak out about this news, if you're an aspiring drone pilot. The main one is that these rules probably won't be finalized for a couple of years. The FAA is expected to announce them at the end of the year, and the rules are currently being reviewed by other parts of the government, including the White House. The other one is that it's so far unclear how these rules will impact hobby drone regulations. So taking the old Phantom for a spin with your kids probably won't necessarily require you to learn how to fly a plane first—although a recent ruling indicates that the FAA can and will eventually regulate all civilian drones.

If you're bothered by the news, though, now's the time to speak up. It's worth pointing out that the FAA is dealing with a tough challenge. The agency, in its own words, has to "integrate unmanned aircraft into the busiest, most complex airspace system in the world." That's not easy! But it's also worth pointing out that other countries are dealing with the same challenge without going all hall patrol on the citizens. Canada's new rules, for instance, are very friendly to the commercial drone industry.

Well, Canada's going to need all the help they can get with those jelly lakes and what not. It doesn't hurt that their massive oil industry also stands to benefit from commercial drones. Then again, so does ours.
 

cacicgtp7

Some Military Dude
Nov 9, 2008
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The only BIG problem with these is what [MENTION=447]radioguy6[/MENTION] said and that's flying in restricted airspace. Mainly, flying your R/C drone into the flight path of a 737 on final approach or what not. Obviously that's a little dangerous.

Other part is the creepy factor of a drone over your pool in the summer or something.
 

DynaSlim

TCG Elite Member
Aug 13, 2012
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Plainfield
What about personal radio controlled airplanes? Is that considered a drone or are they exempt?

I personally don't like the idea of everyone having a drone and spying on my privacy. I can understand the legal use of them at public events but just flying around your neighborhood shouldn't be allowed.

I like how everyone bitched about drones then the government released them to the public and pretty much said, here ya go, do the spying for us. Because everyone does know the government can access any camera connected to the Internet at any time.

That being said, i will still own one this summer for special occasions.
 

rocket5979

Gearhead
Nov 15, 2005
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Round Lake, IL
I think the main operative phrase here is "commercial drone". Does this mean to refer to a drone that is operated for the purpose of commerce, or one that was manufactured by a commercial business? That could make quite a significant difference! If for the purpose of commerce, and thus having a high tempo of flight, it makes sense to have more rules encompassing their use. If it is used for hobby purposes then the simple stay below " x" altitude and out of "y" location should suffice.
 
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