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Are Hobby Drones Dead

Actually the article is wrong about its major point. It is not true that every UAS operator needs to get a 107 certificate. Rather, the Reauthorization Act (pay particular attention to subsections (a)(7) and (g) below) says:

Sec. 44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned

aircraft

``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (e), and

notwithstanding chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, a person

may operate a small unmanned aircraft without specific certification or

operating authority from the Federal Aviation Administration if the

operation adheres to all of the following limitations:

``(1) The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes.

``(2) The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the

programming of a community-based organization's set of safety

guidelines that are developed in coordination with the Federal

Aviation Administration.

``(3) The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of

the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located

and in direct communication with the operator.

``(4) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not

interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft.

``(5) In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the

lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace

designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization

from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies

with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

``(6) In Class G airspace, the aircraft is flown from the

surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and complies

with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

``(7) The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and

safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test

passage to be made available to the Administrator or law

enforcement upon request.

``(8) The aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with

chapter 441 of this title and proof of registration is made

available to the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator

or law enforcement upon request.

``(b) Other Operations.--Unmanned aircraft operations that do not

conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all

statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and

unmanned aircraft systems."

Subsection (g) says:


``(g) Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test.--

``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of

enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with

manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, other industry

stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall develop an

aeronautical knowledge and safety test, which can then be

administered electronically by the Administrator, a community-based

organization, or a person designated by the Administrator.

``(2) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure the

aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately

demonstrate an operator's--

``(A) understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge; and

``(B) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration

regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an

unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system."

My reading of these, as an attorney and private pilot certificate holder, is that a recreational drone flyer does not need to be certificated under Part 107. However, under subsections (a)(7) and (g), there will be a test that the FAA must develop within 180 days of the passage of the Reauthorization Act and which must be passed before a recreational user can fly, covering aeronautical safety knowledge and knowledge of some so far unidentified FAA regs. Understand that there are many areas that are likely to be covered including types of airspace, which can be pretty complicated as to do's and don't of drone flying in different areas, separation from aircraft and clouds, weather, aeronautical decision making, airport operations, flight planning, and a host of other possible subjects. I have seen suggestions that it might just be as simple as making the operator answer a few questions on the DJI Go4 app. I strongly disagree, The FAA is going to error on the side of a safety and caution and while the test might not be as detailed as the part 107 test, it will require substantial knowledge.

I started out UAS activities as an RC airplane and helicopter and I know that a lot of old guys in clubs or not are going to be complaining that they have been flying safely for years and that they shouldn't need to take a test. While I tend to agree the statute is the statute and unless it is amended they will have to. I predict that a lot of them will quit flying rather than take a test that is mostly irrelevant to flying at an RC club field as most do. Sigh.
 
Actually the article is wrong about its major point. It is not true that every UAS operator needs to get a 107 certificate. Rather, the Reauthorization Act (pay particular attention to subsections (a)(7) and (g) below) says:

Sec. 44809. Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned

aircraft

``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (e), and

notwithstanding chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, a person

may operate a small unmanned aircraft without specific certification or

operating authority from the Federal Aviation Administration if the

operation adheres to all of the following limitations:

``(1) The aircraft is flown strictly for recreational purposes.

``(2) The aircraft is operated in accordance with or within the

programming of a community-based organization's set of safety

guidelines that are developed in coordination with the Federal

Aviation Administration.

``(3) The aircraft is flown within the visual line of sight of

the person operating the aircraft or a visual observer co-located

and in direct communication with the operator.

``(4) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not

interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft.

``(5) In Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace or within the

lateral boundaries of the surface area of Class E airspace

designated for an airport, the operator obtains prior authorization

from the Administrator or designee before operating and complies

with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

``(6) In Class G airspace, the aircraft is flown from the

surface to not more than 400 feet above ground level and complies

with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions.

``(7) The operator has passed an aeronautical knowledge and

safety test described in subsection (g) and maintains proof of test

passage to be made available to the Administrator or law

enforcement upon request.

``(8) The aircraft is registered and marked in accordance with

chapter 441 of this title and proof of registration is made

available to the Administrator or a designee of the Administrator

or law enforcement upon request.

``(b) Other Operations.--Unmanned aircraft operations that do not

conform to the limitations in subsection (a) must comply with all

statutes and regulations generally applicable to unmanned aircraft and

unmanned aircraft systems."

Subsection (g) says:


``(g) Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test.--

``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of

enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with

manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, other industry

stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall develop an

aeronautical knowledge and safety test, which can then be

administered electronically by the Administrator, a community-based

organization, or a person designated by the Administrator.

``(2) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure the

aeronautical knowledge and safety test is designed to adequately

demonstrate an operator's--

``(A) understanding of aeronautical safety knowledge; and

``(B) knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration

regulations and requirements pertaining to the operation of an

unmanned aircraft system in the national airspace system."

My reading of these, as an attorney and private pilot certificate holder, is that a recreational drone flyer does not need to be certificated under Part 107. However, under subsections (a)(7) and (g), there will be a test that the FAA must develop within 180 days of the passage of the Reauthorization Act and which must be passed before a recreational user can fly, covering aeronautical safety knowledge and knowledge of some so far unidentified FAA regs. Understand that there are many areas that are likely to be covered including types of airspace, which can be pretty complicated as to do's and don't of drone flying in different areas, separation from aircraft and clouds, weather, aeronautical decision making, airport operations, flight planning, and a host of other possible subjects. I have seen suggestions that it might just be as simple as making the operator answer a few questions on the DJI Go4 app. I strongly disagree, The FAA is going to error on the side of a safety and caution and while the test might not be as detailed as the part 107 test, it will require substantial knowledge.

I started out UAS activities as an RC airplane and helicopter and I know that a lot of old guys in clubs or not are going to be complaining that they have been flying safely for years and that they shouldn't need to take a test. While I tend to agree the statute is the statute and unless it is amended they will have to. I predict that a lot of them will quit flying rather than take a test that is mostly irrelevant to flying at an RC club field as most do. Sigh.
you are not alone in the UK there is a new drone bill which will come into effect august 2019 although still in the disscusion stage it is believed that some sort of test will be required before a drone can be flown and some form of registration will be introduced the first part reguarding hieght and distance from airports and people and structures came into force august yhis year
 
The first line of the article clearly indicates the direction the author was headed.

"I thought: I came out here to get away from people like this. Here we were, far from LTE reception, watching wild horses run. Beautiful stuff."

So for the author, technology is a binary decision. The only way he can get his nature on is to shut off the technology cold turkey. While I get that airmen should be mindful of those around them and make an effort to not disturb (choice of takeoff and landing zones can make a world of difference when it comes to noise, especially with small aircraft), the few minutes of hearing a drone while it gets to the mission altitude really shouldn't ruin your day, either.

One thing that bothers me is the proliferation of small bluetooth speakers and loud cell phones playing music on trails. But generally I'm not going to let it ruin my day, I just chalk it up to lousy parenting and move on. But I see many people who have a certain air about them really lose their s*** when some of these kids come through. Oh not enough to actually confront them, but just lots of snide comments and seething outrage.

Unfortunately we who try to integrate tech into our lives as a way to enhance our enjoyment of life (as opposed to those who succumb to the addictive nature of social media's attempt to keep your attention) are losing the battle. I use photography as an excuse to get out in nature, and so I have a reminder of where I've been. I'll usually share my experience with friends and family, who also appreciate that I'm able to share my life with them using multimedia. But for a growing number of people the point of going to a place is to take a selfie, not to explore. But maybe that's been the case since Kodak introduced the brownie, I know most of the pictures in the old albums are of people standing in front of landmarks, not the landmark itself. I'm not saying we need to eliminate Facebook, but in a world where their business model didn't rely on eyeballs staring at advertising maybe all this tech stuff would be more acceptable.
 
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