A few questions from a beginner

[pmshop]

when laanc goes into effect for hobbyist

Through an unrelated original question, I received volunteered information from a Nicolas Colvin:
FAA Support Specialist – Airspace, Procedures, Automation and UAS
Albuquerque District (TWAB)
Las Vegas, Nevada

He stated - and I quote from his email - "LAANC should be ready to accept UAS airspace requests from hobbyists on or after July 19, 2019"

 

[kensteele]

As @Keule noted above, you are required to be registered before you can legally fly. FAA will issue you a number. I think it’s about $5 and the sends your number by email. This number must be legibly displayed on the exterior of your drone.
The rules may become more stringent before long as the new law is put into effect.

Use the link provided in the post above.

as you know, there's a difference between registering yourself and registering your drone. is this forum not taking that into account and basically saying hobby pilots must register their drones with the faa same as part 107 pilots, is that an acceptable statement to make in this forum without anyone challenging it?

As @Keule noted above, you are required to be registered before you can legally fly. FAA will issue you a number. I think it’s about $5 and the sends your number by email. This number must be legibly displayed on the exterior of your drone.
The rules may become more stringent before long as the new law is put into effect.

Use the link provided in the post above.

im surprised and shocked the forum doesn't make the distinction. soon enough.

 

[kensteele]

Through an unrelated original question, I received volunteered information from a Nicolas Colvin:
FAA Support Specialist – Airspace, Procedures, Automation and UAS
Albuquerque District (TWAB)
Las Vegas, Nevada

He stated - and I quote from his email - "LAANC should be ready to accept UAS airspace requests from hobbyists on or after July 19, 2019"

excellent if true. we'll see if my airport works. while it's fantastic to see the system up and running to alleviate the temporary problem it has caused, i still don't like the idea of having such a system in place for hobby fliers. in the long run, it's not a good idea imo.

 

[pmshop]

as you know, there's a difference between registering yourself and registering your drone. is this forum not taking that into account and basically saying hobby pilots must register their drones with the faa same as part 107 pilots, is that an acceptable statement to make in this forum without anyone challenging it?


im surprised and shocked the forum doesn't make the distinction. soon enough.

Agreed

Part 101E you are registering yourself

Part 107 you are registering EACH drone

 

[fablau]

If you are really in Class E airspace, then you cannot fly there until LAANC is available to obtain FAA authorization.

Ok, understand that and I know what's LAANC (made some research).

So, back to one of my original questions, can I fly in my area if I am under 60 feet? I think would be ridiculous if I couldn't.

Thanks.

PS: Yes, I registered by drone yesterday. Thanks!

 

[fablau]

The presence of the heliports doesn't create controlled airspace.
There is no request for authorization under the new hobbyist recreational rule. To fly in controlled airspace (B, C, D, E) you have to use LAANC which isn't available to recreational pilots yet. But you don't need to fly in controlled airspace to fly in Laguna Niguel, see below.
In answer to one of your original questions the FAA includes heliport in the definition of airport.
Remember to register your Mavic 2 Pro with the FAA before flying.

The magenta tinted line indicates the edge of Class E with a floor of 700 ft AGL. Under that is Class G airspace. Northern Laguna Niguel is in Class G airspace under the Class E and the airspace south of that magenta border is Class G. There is even Class G under John Wayne's Class C. So unless there are local laws defining where you can't take off or land, Laguna Niguel is in Class G airspace and OK for you to fly there as a recreational flier. Keep in mind though, that there could be helos in the Class G airspace. And avoid Camp Pendleton's restricted airspace (blue hashed lines) and the wilderness area to the east outlined with blue dots. There are also some state parks along the coast which aren't shown, they may have restrictions.
View attachment 74399

Thank you for your detailed information, but from what you describe, it looks like I can fly in my area without authorization then? If so, it would contradict what @msinger said above about class E. I am confused!

 

[msinger]

So, from I see, I am actually in a controlled space because of nearby heliports (class E?), so I should ask for authorization, right? Is that correct?

Unless you're in an authorized fixed site, you cannot fly anywhere in controlled airspace.

 

[pmshop]

Ok, understand that and I know what's LAANC (made some research).

So, back to one of my original questions, can I fly in my area if I am under 60 feet? I think would be ridiculous if I couldn't.

Thanks.

PS: Yes, I registered by drone yesterday. Thanks!

Sad to say it is ridiculous.
We cannot fly at all in controlled airspace unless we are at an AMA field/ fixed site.
Technically, not even a foot off the ground.

I will say it again and again...they should have brought LAANC online FIRST...THEN lock down the towers.

 

[fablau]

Sad to say it is ridiculous.
We cannot fly at all in controlled airspace unless we are at an AMA field/ fixed site.
Technically, not even a foot off the ground.

I will say it again and again...they should have brought LAANC online FIRST...THEN lock down the towers.

Well, let me say it again, it's ridiculous to me. To fly under the trees, in my backyard? I don't see why I should ask permission for that. They should put down more defined rules, with good sense. Otherwise, people are just going to ignore them.

But I agree with you about the LAANC. Hopefully, they'll work on that soon.

Thanks again.

 

[kadras]

Thank you for your detailed information, but from what you describe, it looks like I can fly in my area without authorization then? If so, it would contradict what @msinger said above about class E. I am confused!

Some of Laguna Niguel is in Class G airspace and part of it is under Class E with a floor of 700 ft. Below that is Class G, which the FAA defines as uncontrolled airspace and in which recreational pilots can fly without need for authorization. You can fly recreationally as I noted in my prior post.
From the FAA website Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations

From the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge page 15-3 Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

From the sectional map legend


The FAA's chart on airspace for small UAS operators https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/airshow/media/UAS_Airspacecard.pdf

 

[kensteele]

re: the last image in your post

View attachment 74449

LOL...and hobby fliers are supposed to take exactly what from this image? If the faa can go to the trouble of showing the image of a drone and saying "authorization required" then why can't they show a picture of a drone with the words "no authorization required" in the appropriate place or is that giving away too much? my point is most nobody can read or understand this image and most hobby (beginner) drone flyers won't care.

 

[fablau]

Some of Laguna Niguel is in Class G airspace and part of it is under Class E with a floor of 700 ft. Below that is Class G, which the FAA defines as uncontrolled airspace and in which recreational pilots can fly without need for authorization. You can fly recreationally as I noted in my prior post.
From the FAA website Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
View attachment 74446
From the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge page 15-3 Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
View attachment 74447
From the sectional map legend
View attachment 74448

The FAA's chart on airspace for small UAS operators https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/airshow/media/UAS_Airspacecard.pdf
View attachment 74449

Great information, I love the bottom chart. That clarifies a great deal for me.

Thank you so much!

 

[fablau]

re: the last image in your post



LOL...and hobby fliers are supposed to take exactly what from this image? If the faa can go to the trouble of showing the image of a drone and saying "authorization required" then why can't they show a picture of a drone with the words "no authorization required" in the appropriate place or is that giving away too much? my point is most nobody can read or understand this image and most hobby (beginner) drone flyers won't care.

Agreed!

 

[fablau]

Here is another question that came up as soon as I registered by drone yesterday with the FAA. In the confirmation email they sent me, and on the certificate, I have printed out, they state:

To fly under the exception for recreational
flyers you must:

• Register your drone
• Fly only for recreational purposes
• Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization
• Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer
• Give way and do not interfere with any manned aircraft
• Get prior authorization before operating in controlled airspace
• Fly at or below 400’ in uncontrolled airspace
• Comply with all airspace restrictions
• Pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test

Everything is clear to me, except the requirement to "pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test." Have you idea what they are talking about? I couldn't find anything on their website about such a test for amateurs.

Thank you!

 

[kadras]

Here is another question that came up as soon as I registered by drone yesterday with the FAA. In the confirmation email they sent me, and on the certificate, I have printed out, they state:

To fly under the exception for recreational
flyers you must:

• Register your drone
• Fly only for recreational purposes
• Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization
• Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer
• Give way and do not interfere with any manned aircraft
• Get prior authorization before operating in controlled airspace
• Fly at or below 400’ in uncontrolled airspace
• Comply with all airspace restrictions
• Pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test

Everything is clear to me, except the requirement to "pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test." Have you idea what they are talking about? I couldn't find anything on their website about such a test for amateurs.

Thank you!

The test hasn't been implemented yet. The law gave them 180 days so in theory it should be available before the end of the year.

 

[fablau]

The test hasn't been implemented yet. The law gave them 180 days so in theory it should be available before the end of the year.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for clarifying and helping! Luckily I have you guys to help me out here, otherwise, I'd be completely confused!

Appreciated your help. Thank you again.

 

[dylanthecat]

there are still state and local laws to deal with.

I thought we were discussing FAA rules. Yep, you need to deal with the local stuff if it exists.


until laanc is available for hobbyists, can't go anywhere near most airports (except for the tiny ones).
Remember that even for class B and C airports, there can be class G underneath. I live in WI so there are only a dozen airports so that I need to worry about. None within 50 miles.


perhaps but that doesn't mean much when no one lives where you are talking about and all around you is something less than class G. finding clear air between 5th street and 9th avenue doesn't really help.
If you live within 5 miles of a B, C, D, then yep you will have a hard time until LAANC is rolled out.


flying a drone is not just a matter of being able to drive until you find uncontrolled airspace; anyone with a car can do that. people want to fly their drone in interesting places and nearby locations and mix it up. some hobbyists are finding that hard to do at this time.

I agree.

 

[skiptv]

Hello everyone,
I just got my Mavic 2 Pro after many years of waiting, but as always, despite I made my research for the past year or so about FAA regulations and such, it is only when you get the drone in your hands that more questions arise for which you have a hard time to find an answer for.

So, here I am, with some very basic (and maybe stupid!) questions for you on this topic.

I live in Orange County, California, in a city named Laguna Niguel. On most drone maps, it looks like I can freely fly my drone in my area since the closest airport is about 21 miles from me (John Wayne Airport), but looking at the "more official" map provided inside the B4UFLY app, it looks like my area is restricted because of a nearby heliport (less than 5 miles away).

So, here are my questions:

1. Is a "heliport" considered like an "airport", therefore following the same exact rules?

2. When you are in a restricted area, such as within 5 miles from an airport, is there a "max altitude" where you are not required to ask permission to fly such as, for example, 30 feet? To give you a more practical example, if I use my drone in tracking mode while I am walking on a trail within 5 miles from an airport, do I still need permission for that? And if not, what's the max altitude I can fly before I must ask permission for? I know that FAA doesn't specify any altitude limit or max, they just state "you need to ask permission", and that's it. But it sounds absurd to me that I'd need to ask permission to fly a drone at less than 40-30 feet.

I thank in advance anyone that can help me to understand how to behave in the above circumstances.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

I teach several drone classes at Grossmont College. I suggest you register for one. The next one begins August 15th. It’s free with approval. I’ve trained 200 students in the last year. 99% have passed their 107, 30% have gotten full time drone related jobs and none have crashed to date.

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

flying a drone is not just a matter of being able to drive until you find uncontrolled airspace; anyone with a car can do that. people want to fly their drone in interesting places and nearby locations and mix it up. some hobbyists are finding that hard to do at this time.

Yes, and to be clear: it's not just about the love of flying. For some of us, it is mostly (or only) about the photography. Wide open fields of grass in class G are nice, but there are interesting urban areas that are nice to capture from an elevated point of view.

Chris

 

[Not A Speck Of Cereal]

re: the last image in your post

LOL...and hobby fliers are supposed to take exactly what from this image? If the faa can go to the trouble of showing the image of a drone and saying "authorization required" then why can't they show a picture of a drone with the words "no authorization required" in the appropriate place or is that giving away too much? my point is most nobody can read or understand this image and most hobby (beginner) drone flyers won't care.

You're reading this on a public forum (non-FAA controlled) and the image was posted by a user of this forum.

Presumably, if you had encountered that image on the official site where the FAA published it, it was probably just a graphical aid to accompanying descriptive text, which would probably answer your questions.

In other words, the helpful graphic is not supposed to be an all-encompassing list and definition of FAA rules and/or guidelines. You need to put a little more effort into it before you start complaining that the rules are unclear.

Chris