NEW FAA MARKING RULE

[brett8883]

The battery and props are two of the most commonly lost drone accessories. I didn't mean most people lose them.

So you’d agree that it is uncommon for a drone to lose a prop or battery correct? Of the drone flights that are executed each year what percentage of those flights would you say end with the drone having lost a prop and not an arm or leg or whatever you consider to be “part of the drone?” I imagine you’d agree that is an incredibly low percentage.

Just because a drone CAN lose a props doesn’t mean it’s likely to or at any statistically significant greater rate that any other part compared to flights that end without losing the props.

So, you're saying the FAA has no employees that probably shouldn't be working there? I'm sure you can find such employees at any company

I’m sure they do have those people but your interaction with this person doesn’t indicate or even suggest that this is the case for this person. In fact they seem knowledgeable about the rule you are asking about as well as it’s intent. They answered your question and you are choosing to dwell on one word among an otherwise perfectly authoritative answer.

Yes, sir. If you're explaining the law to someone and you work for the company that created the law, you should never (ever) be using the word "think" in a response. "I don't know" or "I'll find someone who knows and get back to you" would be a perfectly acceptable answer though.

Again you are looking at it assuming this person didn’t know the answer. Sure it would have been better without that one word but the question was answered.

I know we didn’t get anywhere here so let’s call in experts and I’ll accept what ever is their opinion on this. Hey @sar104 and @BigAl07 I know you guys have lots of experience communicating with the FAA and speak their “language.” Would you mind giving us your opinion on if writing or affixing the FAA# to the props satisfies the FAA requirements and how you would interpret this rule given its language and the FAA response to @msinger’s question which is in message #10 please?

This is just a friendly debate by the way we both agree we aren’t getting into it but it is interesting how different our interpretations of the same thing are. Not that I don’t see where @msinger is coming from. I have been critical in the past of how these rules are often left to interpretation.

 

[sar104]

So you’d agree that it is uncommon for a drone to lose a prop or battery correct? Of the drone flights that are executed each year what percentage of those flights would you say end with the drone having lost a prop and not an arm or leg or whatever you consider to be “part of the drone?” I imagine you’d agree that is an incredibly low percentage.

Just because a drone CAN lose a props doesn’t mean it’s likely to or at any statistically significant greater rate that any other part compared to flights that end without losing the props.


I’m sure they do have those people but your interaction with this person doesn’t indicate or even suggest that this is the case for this person. In fact they seem knowledgeable about the rule you are asking about as well as it’s intent. They answered your question and you are choosing to dwell on one word among an otherwise perfectly authoritative answer.


Again you are looking at it assuming this person didn’t know the answer. Sure it would have been better without that one word but the question was answered.

I know we didn’t get anywhere here so let’s call in experts and I’ll accept what ever is their opinion on this. Hey @sar104 and @BigAl07 I know you guys have lots of experience communicating with the FAA and speak their “language.” Would you mind giving us your opinion on this matter and how you would interpret this rule given the language of the rule and the FAA response to @msinger’s question which is in message #10 please?

This is just a friendly debate by the way we both agree we aren’t getting into it but it is interesting how different our interpretations of the same thing are. Not that I don’t see where @msinger is coming from. I have been critical in the past of how these rules are often left to interpretation.

In my view it's a matter of common sense. The FAA requires you to place the ID number on the exterior of the aircraft so that it is clearly readable. They don't specify requirements beyond that. But if the number is on a detachable part of the aircraft and that part detaches (which they often do in crashes which is likely to be a common scenario where it matters) or is replaced with an unlabeled part then it is no longer compliant, so I would not expect them to recommend such a location.

As for the comments from the unnamed FAA employee, I have learned that if it is not formally in writing then it is not worth much. I've been given incorrect verbal interpretations by random FAA employees more than once.

 

[BigAl07]

My opinion (and it's nothing more) is that props aren't considered substantial enough to be a place for Registration Markings. This would be like being allowed to have your license plate # placed on the tires of your car.

I'm with @sar104... If they don't give you something in writing it doesn't exist. They are human as much as the rest of us and we all make mistakes (I make more than my share).

Take this for what you paid for it and remember I'm just a random guy pounding on a keyboard here

 

[brett8883]

Thanks @sar104 and @BigAl07.

Alright well looks like I was wrong @msinger but it was still a good debate

 

[BigAl07]

Thanks @sar104 and @BigAl07.

Alright well looks like I was wrong @msinger but it was still a good debate
View attachment 77024

Well played sir.

 

[Milo187]

Msinger is right folks.
I always mark the fuselage in two visible locations, battery compartment and my batteries since they often get launched in a crash.

 

[Djr01974]

I just used a label maker and made up a small label with my reg number and placed it on the back of my mavic Pro. Perfect place and fit

 

[Milo187]

I just finished the Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Small Uas) Initial course, course number ALC-451. In the prep portion for the test, it stated you could place it in a compartment so long as it's accessible without tools. I'll go back and see if I can find it.
OK, here it is:
View attachment 76997

Old and out dated

 

[JAW]

Old and out dated

I guess you missed post #3 and post #8

 

[Thoraldus]

I mark the top and bottom of my M2P and the batteries. Should it crash land upside-down they can still read the number without having to touch it. Should a battery come lose in flight, it also can be identified.