Interpreting a Class D Restriction

[markp99]

Newbie here,

Looking at AIRMAP, B4UFLY/KittyHawk for my neighborhood, I see that I am in a Class D airspace due to a small nearby regional airport. I'm not quite sure how to interpret the restriction in this case. The DJI Fly app does not show quite the same areas unless I toggle "Enhanced Warning Zones"

Notes:

1. Seems like "LAANC is not available" to permit me to request authorization to fly - is this just a matter of time before this airport support LAANC requests?

2. The attached map shows a GRAY grid pattern (unlike the Red/Green grid further north near MHT a larger commercial airport).

3. I have been able to take off and fly from this location and a couple other nearby locations in this grid without any warnings.

4. Can I fly my MM in this region without concern? Do I need to contact the local airport to gain authorizations?

Can anyone recommend the correct process for me to fly (<400ft) in this area?

Thanks!

 

[sar104]

It's a Class D airspace which is not yet covered by LAANC. As a result, you have to apply for authorization via the FAA Drone Zone website.

 

[markp99]

Thank you @sar104. So, no legitimate flying without prior approval?

 

[sar104]

Thank you @sar104. So, no legitimate flying without prior approval?

Not inside the Class D airspace.

 

[apeel]

Is it possible to request a waiver at the FAA Drone Zone website of you are a Recreational User? If so, can you advise me how to do it? I went to that site and created a user account. Then when I log in, it seems that the only think I can do is select a link to Register a Drone as a Part 107 pilot or register a drone as a Recreational User.

My issue is that I already have registered as a Rec User and have a UAS Certificate Number assigned. I got this by registering at the following site:
Federal Drone Registration

I paid $24.99 at the time of registration in Feb 2019, not realizing at the time that this is not an official FAA site and that registration fees should have only been $5. However, I do believe that they did register me with the FAA (effectively pocketing $20 for their trouble) as I did receive an email from '[email protected]' with a UAS Certificate card attached. The UAS Certificate number starts with "FA" and has a format like "FA#xxxxx#x" where "#" represent different numerical digits and "x" represents different capital letters. It all looks legit to me, and will chalk this up as "a lesson learned" that I could have saved $20 by just registering the drone myself directly at FAA Drone Zone website.

Anyway, now that I have a UAS Certificate #, is there any way to seek a waiver online at FAA Drone Zone website? How to I get past the Register My Drone part (and pay $5) of the web site. Or is there a more direct link that I could use to request a Rec User waiver that will let me enter my credentials (either email/password and/or UAS Cert #).

Thanks in advance for any help you guys/gals can offer.

 

[sar104]

Is it possible to request a waiver at the FAA Drone Zone website of you are a Recreational User? If so, can you advise me how to do it? I went to that site and created a user account. Then when I log in, it seems that the only think I can do is select a link to Register a Drone as a Part 107 pilot or register a drone as a Recreational User.

My issue is that I already have registered as a Rec User and have a UAS Certificate Number assigned. I got this by registering at the following site:
Federal Drone Registration

I paid $24.99 at the time of registration in Feb 2019, not realizing at the time that this is not an official FAA site and that registration fees should have only been $5. However, I do believe that they did register me with the FAA (effectively pocketing $20 for their trouble) as I did receive an email from '[email protected]' with a UAS Certificate card attached. The UAS Certificate number starts with "FA" and has a format like "FA#xxxxx#x" where "#" represent different numerical digits and "x" represents different capital letters. It all looks legit to me, and will chalk this up as "a lesson learned" that I could have saved $20 by just registering the drone myself directly at FAA Drone Zone website.

Anyway, now that I have a UAS Certificate #, is there any way to seek a waiver online at FAA Drone Zone website? How to I get past the Register My Drone part (and pay $5) of the web site. Or is there a more direct link that I could use to request a Rec User waiver that will let me enter my credentials (either email/password and/or UAS Cert #).

Thanks in advance for any help you guys/gals can offer.

Yes - the website now allows recreational users to request airspace authorization. But if the third-party site that you used to register didn't provide you with a way to log into the FAA site then I think you will need to register again, directly with the FAA. It's only $5, so no big deal.

 

[apeel]

Yeah. I think you are correct. Before registering again however, I would like to learn more about waivers for rec users. How to do it at this FAA site, and how quickly it usually takes to get authorization.

 

[Thomas B]

Yes - the website now allows recreational users to request airspace authorization. But if the third-party site that you used to register didn't provide you with a way to log into the FAA site then I think you will need to register again, directly with the FAA. It's only $5, so no big deal.

Get with the company you used and make sure you can login to the FAA DroneZone. Your drone should already show up with the registration number if the card you received is valid. Don’t think reregistering would do more than confuse the issue.

 

[apeel]

I will try to get a hold of the 3rd party registration company. They have a support email address I will try. I will report back here to see whether they respond and are able to offer me a way to log in to FAA.

 

[Thomas B]

I will try to get a hold of the 3rd party registration company. They have a support email address I will try. I will report back here to see whether they respond and are able to offer me a way to log in to FAA.

Wishing you a good outcome.

 

[apeel]

Wishing you a good outcome.

Thanks. But honestly, I am not holding my breath! I doubt they will even respond (turns out it was a 'no-reply' email address that I had received, so my only option to contact them was through the web, online form. It is clear (now!) that this is just a scam operation capitalizing on the inexperience of new drone users. I wish the government would shut it down for their deceptive practices. In truth, they do state in their FAQ that they are not part of the FAA, but new (and excited) drone newbies are too quick to register using this site (after a quick Google search) so as to be legal before taking their new bird out to fly!

 

[sar104]

Thanks. But honestly, I am not holding my breath! I doubt they will even respond (turns out it was a 'no-reply' email address that I had received, so my only option to contact them was through the web, online form. It is clear (now!) that this is just a scam operation capitalizing on the inexperience of new drone users. I wish the government would shut it down for their deceptive practices. In truth, they do state in their FAQ that they are not part of the FAA, but new (and excited) drone newbies are too quick to register using this site (after a quick Google search) so as to be legal before taking their new bird out to fly!

I would just re-register with the FAA. That way you have full control.

 

[Thomas B]

I would just re-register with the FAA. That way you have full control.

Gotta agree given the last info posted. Start a new page yourself at the FAA DroneZone.

 

[apeel]

I will try to get a hold of the 3rd party registration company. They have a support email address I will try. I will report back here to see whether they respond and are able to offer me a way to log in to FAA.

I am pleased to report that the 3rd part company did reply to my request, and did so on New Years Day! I was impressed.

It turns out that they do create a set of login credentials that uses an email address made up as '[email protected]' (where 'xxxxxxx' corresponds to the order number assigned when I paid the $25 fee). A password was also assigned. Using this email address and password allowed me to log into FAA Drone Zone and see my certificate number. From there I was able to change the email address assigned to this certificate (to one I own) and also change the password. Logging in again, I was able to see that I can request Waivers as a Recommendation User (although I did not try to do that).

So, looks like after needlessly spending $24.99 on registration, at least I did not have to spend another $5.

2020 is going to be a good year .. I can feel it!

 

[Thomas B]

I am pleased to report that the 3rd part company did reply to my request, and did so on New Years Day! I was impressed.

It turns out that they do create a set of login credentials that uses an email address made up as '[email protected]' (where 'xxxxxxx' corresponds to the order number assigned when I paid the $25 fee). A password was also assigned. Using this email address and password allowed me to log into FAA Drone Zone and see my certificate number. From there I was able to change the email address assigned to this certificate (to one I own) and also change the password. Logging in again, I was able to see that I can request Waivers as a Recommendation User (although I did not try to do that).

So, looks like after needlessly spending $24.99 on registration, at least I did not have to spend another $5.

2020 is going to be a good year .. I can feel it!

Glad it worked out for you. Well done.

 

[bfindlay]

In Canada, even class E (less restrictive than class D) is considered controlled airspace even if a control service is not provided to aircraft. Now class E doesn't usually start until at least 700 feet AGL so this will never affect a drone operator limited to 400 feet. In Canada the only airspace you can operate your drone without prior approval is class G airspace and up to 400 feet but beyond 3 nautical miles (NM) from any airport/aerodrome. There's a bunch of other requirements but these are constants no matter where you operate your drone in Canada.

 

[DanMan32]

I am pleased to report that the 3rd part company did reply to my request, and did so on New Years Day! I was impressed.

It turns out that they do create a set of login credentials that uses an email address made up as '[email protected]' (where 'xxxxxxx' corresponds to the order number assigned when I paid the $25 fee). A password was also assigned. Using this email address and password allowed me to log into FAA Drone Zone and see my certificate number. From there I was able to change the email address assigned to this certificate (to one I own) and also change the password. Logging in again, I was able to see that I can request Waivers as a Recommendation User (although I did not try to do that).

So, looks like after needlessly spending $24.99 on registration, at least I did not have to spend another $5.

2020 is going to be a good year .. I can feel it!

Did you at least get anything for the extra $20? Laminated certificate, stickers with FAA number?

 

[apeel]

Did you at least get anything for the extra $20? Laminated certificate, stickers with FAA number?

Nope. Not one thing extra. They did not even send me the Certificate # as it came directly from the FAA. They did not even send me the login credentials until I realized I had to ask for them. It was no easier registering with them than it would have been directly with FAA Drone Zone web site.

As I said, although if you read the fine print they do say that they are not part of the FAA and that they are a 3rd party service, their site name has the words “federal” in it so it sounds official. In hindsight, the fact that it ends in ‘.com’ instead of ‘.gov’ should be a trigger, but as I was excited to get registered I threw out all cautions. Live and learn!