js47
Well-Known Member
In the EU and UK you need to be able to keep sight of the drone + it must be no more than 500m distance from the pilot.
VLOS: Have we have always been conditioned to think one way?
- Thread starter DarR-T
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On that note, I'm very concerned about those guys that fly above 400ft which I think is far more dangerous than low altitude BVLOS.
Chrislaf
Well-Known Member
There have been times when I have been out flying and hiking in a rural area and have seen a helicopter and an ultralight plane flying at below 120m (400ft) and have been thankful I was in VLOS.
This is one of those forum topics where there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue and it frequently comes up on the forum.
Chris
Indeed. I have not looked up the US rules about low altitude flying for manned aircraft however US and Canadian rules tend to be very similar. Canadian Aviation Regulations (602.14) states a minimum 1,000 feet above the highest obstacles. Exceptions are possible of course such as fire fighting and search and rescue etc. On this note, check your NOTAMs before flying !!!
The intent of the 400 ft ceiling for RPA's makes perfect sense as it provides a minimum buffer zone of 500 ft.
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Not quite. The requirement to abide by the rules of a CBO are only one part of "49 USC 44809: Exception for limited recreational operations of unmanned aircraft."
hiflyer201
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Seeing an image and then controlling it precisely around all its axis are two different things. It’s probably sometimes done
Droning on and on...
Well-Known Member
IMO, you're being excessively pedantic about it.
"Ensure" is easily accomplished. Simply find someone you trust. It's not that hard.
And I also have a sense of humor albeit sometime twisted without being too rhadamanthine about it.
The differences between "Visible Line Of Sight" and "Visible RPA at all Times" can be challenged in court.
Visible in LOS is different for each of us.
I'm not arguing here but just stating an observation.
Visible in LOS is different for each of us.
I'm not arguing here but just stating an observation.
Wild Drone Pilot
Well-Known Member
So if your old and your LOS is like 15Ft what then? Small back yard only I guess? Like this one.
Sounds Like FUN!!!
That's exactly my point.
Under the generally accepted definition of VLOS, you may have a very short radius under the law.
As for private planes below 1000 feet, I can assure you pilots fly below 1000 feet, and it is quite legal. The rule - recommendation is 1000 feet over people/cityscapes; 500 feet over agricultural land with buildings.
I've always read the CFRs as fly safe and avoid coming within 500 feet of man-made obstacles. Flying 100 agl feet isn't totally uncommon; practicing engine failure emergency landings is one specific case farmers near airstrips with FBOs hate pilots for. Following rivers is another one of those things: though can be more exciting than expected and even problematic when there are power lines crossing that aren't on the charts, and might be seen as reckless: but doesn't violate any specific rules that I know of.
14 CFR 91.119
And a summarization for VFR:
www.boldmethod.com
I've always read the CFRs as fly safe and avoid coming within 500 feet of man-made obstacles. Flying 100 agl feet isn't totally uncommon; practicing engine failure emergency landings is one specific case farmers near airstrips with FBOs hate pilots for. Following rivers is another one of those things: though can be more exciting than expected and even problematic when there are power lines crossing that aren't on the charts, and might be seen as reckless: but doesn't violate any specific rules that I know of.
14 CFR 91.119
And a summarization for VFR:
Your Guide To Minimum VFR Altitudes
How are minimum altitudes calculated? We explain.
www.boldmethod.com
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That may be the case but here, Canadian Aviation Regulations 602.14 (2) states a minimum 1000ft over the highest structure for both aircrafts and helicopters. There are exceptions of course (eg. crop dusting) but generally, the hard floor for safety is 500 ft AGL over non-populated areas except where conducting a take-off, approach or landing.
Low Altitude Flight are also permitted:
(a) for the purpose of a police operation that is conducted in the service of a police authority;
(b) for the purpose of saving human life;
(c) for fire-fighting or air ambulance operations;
(d) for the purpose of the administration of the Fisheries Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act;
(e) for the purpose of the administration of the national or provincial parks; or
(f) for the purpose of flight inspection.
Low Altitude Flight are also permitted:
(a) for the purpose of a police operation that is conducted in the service of a police authority;
(b) for the purpose of saving human life;
(c) for fire-fighting or air ambulance operations;
(d) for the purpose of the administration of the Fisheries Act or the Coastal Fisheries Protection Act;
(e) for the purpose of the administration of the national or provincial parks; or
(f) for the purpose of flight inspection.
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VLOS is a moving target (no pun intended). It varies with age and other circumstances.
What really grind my gears are not necessarily those who fly BVLOS but those who violate the 400 ft ceiling. Here in Canada, you may fly BVLOS with a Special Flight Operation Certificate (SFOC) similar to the FAA's 107.200. Notwithstanding, I personally believe that BVLOS should be permitted for Advanced Certified RPA pilots provided that a pre-flight survey of the flight path is properly performed and documented.
Chrislaf
Well-Known Member
Although, not recommended and you don’t put manned aircraft or people’s safety at risk you can fly BVLOS and above 120m (~400ft) with a micro drone (sub 250g) in Canada.
Here is an excellent article that deals with micro drones but also has info regarding other drone classifications in Canada.
Chris
Here is an excellent article that deals with micro drones but also has info regarding other drone classifications in Canada.
Chris
I read his article blog and IMHO, he's leading micro RPA pilots down a dark path.
Namely what he states that you can do (which is patently false):
Fly higher than 122m (400ft)Fly in controlled airspace (Class C, D, E, Advisory F (CYA), and Uncontrolled G)Fly within 3NM of an airportFly closer than 30M horizontally from bystanders and overheadFly without passing a basic or advanced examFly above or near advertised eventsFly outside visual line of sightEspecially: Controlled or Restricted Airspace
901.14 (1) Subject to subsection 901.71(1), no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled
airspace.
(2) No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace, as specified in the Designated Airspace Handbook, unless authorized to do so by the person specified for that purpose in that standard.
Flying any size drone in Controlled or Restricted Airspace will be considered reckless or negligent under CAR 900.06 and the RCMP will be on you faster than you can imagine. Same hold true but to a lessor degree for most of the others except the exam requirement (which BTW, should be mandatory for all size RPA's).
Drone pilot fined $3021 for incursion at YOW - InDro Robotics
A drone pilot who flew without authorisation next to the Ottawa International Airport (YOW) has been fined $3021 by Transport Canada.
indrorobotics.ca
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Droning on and on...
Well-Known Member
Chrislaf
Well-Known Member
I read his article blog and IMHO, he's leading micro RPA pilots down a dark path.
Namely what he states that you can do (which is patently false):
Especially: Controlled or Restricted Airspace
901.14 (1) Subject to subsection 901.71(1), no pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled
airspace.
(2) No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace, as specified in the Designated Airspace Handbook, unless authorized to do so by the person specified for that purpose in that standard.
Flying any size drone in Controlled or Restricted Airspace will be considered reckless or negligent under CAR 900.06 and the RCMP will be on you faster than you can imagine. Same hold true but to a lessor degree for most of the others except the exam requirement (which BTW, should be mandatory for all size RPA's).
Drone pilot fined $3021 for incursion at YOW - InDro Robotics
A drone pilot who flew without authorisation next to the Ottawa International Airport (YOW) has been fined $3021 by Transport Canada.
I did not get that impression from the article. In fact, I think he is doing the opposite - he is educating current and prospective micro drone pilots. He outlines what you can do, what you can do but safely, what you should probably do, and what you can't do with regard to micro drones in Canada. I personally think this is a good article since many people who buy a micro drone in Canada are not going to be on the Transport Canada website researching drone laws or consulting CARs (Canadian Aviation Regulations) and it clears up some of the confusion surrounding the regulations governing micro drones in Canada.
Chris
Wild Drone Pilot
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LongRifle
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VLOS is the least of my concerns when I'm flying. Unless you cause mayhem with your drone no one is going to care how far you fly. There's a youtuber that regularly does range testing. He's been doing it for years, so I'm pretty sure the FAA is aware of it by now. As far as I know he's never gotten in trouble and rightfully so. I understand why VLOS rule is in the books, but I don't really think about it because I never fly in a manner that would cause mayhem.
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