UAV's ≠ RC (rant-ish)

[AlanTheBeast]

RC is the grandfather of remotely piloted model aircraft. In a very brief nutshell (and not reflecting the "latest").

• Actively control all of the control surfaces and motor from the pilot's RC radio. The pilot is always in the control loop and cannot do anything without having his eyeballs on the drone. He must be in direct control from takeoff to landing without respite.
• There is no radio downlink with the condition of the aircraft. It's a one way proposition. The downlink is the pilot's eyeballs.
• Do not carry payloads.
• Challenging to learn to control and navigate well - even when the radius of action is quite small.
• Requires excellent spatial skills as there is no first person view

(Yes, I know the above is not strictly true anymore, but that is the foundational stuff of the RC world).

UAV's (Drones) that we use today (this list is neither exhaustive nor universal, and reflects the very rapid evolution of UAV's over the past few years):

• Require on board stabilization
• Highly automated and often use various autonomous modes
• The pilot is a manager, not an in-the-loop surface controller.
• First Person View (via controller display, attached display or goggles).
• Carry useful payloads (cameras), etc.
• Feedback their state to the controller for the pilot to monitor
• Extremely well "sensor'd"
  • Gyros/accelerometers
  • GPS/SBAS/GLONASS
  • Magnetic compass
  • Obstacle sensors (photo-stereo, sonar, ...)
• Very easy to pilot (er, manage)
• Safety modes including automatic return based on fail conditions (low battery, loss of control link, pilot "panic" button).
• Suitable for out-of-view use

There are exceptions to that list, of course. For example racing drones, while needing gyros/accelerometers don't really need much else other than the FPV camera.

Yet, the US and Canadian governments get their industry guidance from the respective RC modelling associations in each country! The viewpoint being applied to UAV's is dominated by the RC mindset. To be sure the RC world has the benefit of many decades of experience and applying safety.

But applying the RC worldview to recreational and commercial UAV's is a tragic error that will harm UAV use for both recreational and commercial use, IMO.

I am surely not the first to point this out?

 

[Former Member]

I think you hit the nail on the head. FAA rules limiting UAV use to "Line of sight only" come straight from the RC world where you couldnt fly further than line of sight, or you would lose your bird. The line of sight rule, with todays highly reliable video transmission and reception and extended range, and extremely accurate telemetry, is really unnecessary and a burden to even the novice drone pilot.

In the RC world I came from 40 years ago, they had certain rules for safety, and they were there for a reason. But some of todays restrictions such as 400' altitude, are just not in line with even an entry level drones capabilities.

When I started, it was always recommended to get your AMA for $125 a year, and then join a flying club. These days, you just order a drone, update the firware, charge your "smart" batteries, watch some Youtube and off you go. You can do it alone without much assistance.

 

[rydfree]

I would agree with that and it is well put . I have however had telemetry back to my radio for basic stuff like airspeed , battery voltage etc since 2007 and since probably around 2010 most all RC aircraft have been able to benefit from electronic stabilization . They have had flight modules to put on planes and helis for awhile that offer automatic leveling and recovery modes but yes , LOS is still the rule . All of RC can benefit from the multi-rotor stabilization electronics and it was born from the above development and uses and then came along multi-rotors which was a perfect fit for its use .

I would agree they are becoming increasingly different in their use and there should be an organization somewhat like the AMA but that fights for civilian Drone rights instead . No need to continue muddying the waters by trying to lump Drones in with the standard RC hobby .

 

[AlanTheBeast]

I would agree with that and it is well put . I have however had telemetry back to my radio for basic stuff like airspeed , battery voltage etc since 2007 and since probably around 2010 most all RC aircraft have been able to benefit from electronic stabilization . They have had flight modules to put on planes and helis for awhile that offer automatic leveling and recovery modes but yes , LOS is still the rule . All of RC can benefit from the multi-rotor stabilization electronics and it was born from the above development and uses and then came along multi-rotors which was a perfect fit for its use .

I would agree they are becoming increasingly different in their use and there should be an organization somewhat like the AMA but that fights for civilian Drone rights instead . No need to continue muddying the waters by trying to lump Drones in with the standard RC hobby .

I did qualify that in the preamble and the post statement of the RC section - I know it has evolved plenty but it is still the "RC" world at base and in mentality.

And yep we need to tear away from the RC "orgs" or we'll be bound to their intentions.

 

[AlanTheBeast]

I think you hit the nail on the head. FAA rules limiting UAV use to "Line of sight only" come straight from the RC world where you couldnt fly further than line of sight, or you would lose your bird. The line of sight rule, with todays highly reliable video transmission and reception and extended range, and extremely accurate telemetry, is really unnecessary and a burden to even the novice drone pilot.

In the RC world I came from 40 years ago, they had certain rules for safety, and they were there for a reason. But some of todays restrictions such as 400' altitude, are just not in line with even an entry level drones capabilities.

When I started, it was always recommended to get your AMA for $125 a year, and then join a flying club. These days, you just order a drone, update the firware, charge your "smart" batteries, watch some Youtube and off you go. You can do it alone without much assistance.

Yep - as I like to quip: "Of course I'm licensed!"