FAA is starting to require registration of all drones that weigh over half a pound!

[G+_Joshua Hamlett]

FAA is starting to require registration of all drones that weigh over half a pound!

http://trib.in/1lIyZAM

[G+_Eddie Foy]

unenforceable.

 And no link the the official regulation?

[G+_William L. DeRieux IV]

I swear officer I did not fly into a no fly zone...I flew over it

[G+_Carlton Dodd]

Eddie Foy

Link at the bottom of this page announcing the new FAA rule:  http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=19856

[G+_Jeff Chilton]

I love it when they start a sentence with "Make no mistake"

 

[G+_Jeff Brand]

* Craft < 250g (Syma X5C, etc.) do not require registration.

* Craft for commercial use still need to wait for a new process.

 

I think it's overreaching into Sec. 336's territory where Congress said not to do this sort of thing. The FAA's position is something like this:

 

We're not allowed to make new rules for model aircraft, but it's already an aircraft and all aircraft need to be registered. We're clarifying the registration process for your model aircraft.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

Wayne Hobbins I sincerely doubt it rated on the President's radar. I'm sure something equivalent happened within the FAA's hierarchy.

 

Air safety is a real concern, especially with the really stupid things that have been done. There was a recent report of 300+ drone sightings from within aircraft and while there was no evasive action required (Trying to find my source..), it's just a matter of time before there's a true near-miss.

 

By the time a real problem happens, it's too late to do anything useful about it.

 

That said, the registration is only useful if the craft is recovered and number is legible.

 

It's funny that the recommendations from the workgroup suggested $0.001 registration fee, should one be required. The FAA turned that into $5.

 

Irresponsible operators ruin things for the rest of us. Here's another example.

[G+_William Tate]

I was going to come post here too. I only have a Sygma, so I checked to see if I had to register. Looks like I don't. Do RC plane and Helicopters have to register with the FAA?

[G+_Jeff Brand]

While this wasn't the original story, here's FAA's raw source data on the subject. https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=83544. There's a link to an Excel doc, take precautions...

 

Many of the sightings are from Cessna (140mph cruise speed) or other small craft including helicopters.

 

I don't think either of us have the necessary experience of a pilot to tell what's within the realm of reasonably visible. I can only imagine that when it's your job to be aware of the airspace around you, anything flying at your altitude is worth your attention, especially a white and red blob that's clearly not a bird.

 

I'll grant that a number of the reported sightings are near model aircraft airports and should be excluded. I haven't read this article yet but it may provide useful counterpoints: http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/ama-s-response-to-the-faa-s-drone-sighting-report

 

I'm all for healthy skepticism but not conspiracy theories.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

William Tate

Syma's are in the 100 gram range and are excluded. I think technically model planes and helicopters are included as long as they're over 250 grams.

 

The old-school hobby RC pilot has got to be pretty annoyed at all of us multirotor type right about now..

[G+_Graham Forte]

Perhaps this will solve the problem with the flocks of birds that can be found near airports. Force them to register with the FAA.

[G+_Eddie Foy]

What does this solve/fix?  (outside of the obvious money grab)

Registering cars and licensing drivers does nothing to stop drunk driving.

[G+_Eddie Foy]

Wayne Hobbins Its not even that they are still driving, having the reggy & lic didn't stop the first one.  I've been saying this for quite a while now:  Laws don't stop or prevent crimes, just set punishments.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

We aren't just talking multi-rotor, it covers model airplanes (including control line), and helicopters too. The AMA is not real happy.

 

http://amablog.modelaircraft.org/amagov/2015/12/14/ama-and-the-faa-registration-process/

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

Actually my syma x5c with both the camera and longer duration battery did go over the amount. Drop the camera and its no problem. They are pretty light quads so that kind of gives you the limits. Most all 250s need registration. I weighed it at lunch as I was currious.

[G+_Ben Reese]

So how do we keep this from being a thing? Do we have to fear now that flying a quadcopter in an empty park will get us ticketed by a misinformed cop?

[G+_Ben Reese]

And what does this mean for Pumpkin Chuckin' competitions? Do they now need to license every gourd that flies 5,000 ft?

[G+_Eddie Foy]

Ben Reese  with penalties up to $27K & 3 years, somehow I don't think its a 'ticket' offense.  (but at least you won't get raped in prison, they will be too busy laughing at you)

[G+_Jeff Brand]

Ticket, unlikely. In an extreme case, reported to the FAA.

 

Know your rights (including the legal gray areas) and you can likely talk yourself out of most interactions with police.

 

My favorite example of this involves a moped, an e-bike, and some extremely close drafting.

 

Ben Reese, pumpkins aren't aircraft.

[G+_Jeff Brand]

I've made the same argument, but it's really irrelevant. Congress authorizes the FAA, through law, to make regulations and enforce them.

 

The FMRA Section 336 defines a model aircraft and limits FAA's power to regulate them.

 

As I've mentioned, the FAA is interpreting that law to mean they can enforce registration since the law considers model aircraft as aircraft and registration requirements already exist. They're just establishing a separate process.

 

I think it's an overreach and perhaps someone will make a case that this considers "promulgating" a new regulation against them. This is specifically what's forbidden and would make the process void.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

I got 4 ounces on the syma X5 with no battery and camera.   The camera added an ounce for me and my battery added 2.5 ounces for the heavier battery.   Its close enough I would mark it.    I didn't have stock props, and did have the blade guards on it.

 

Its definitely at the boarder line.

[G+_Larry Havenstein]

I can tell you the AMA is torqued over the outcome of this.