12/21/2024
Get a beverage and let’s talk about Drones aka Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) these include not only the Drone but also the controller and the Pilot, Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle (UAV), or the slang that we all know and love, Drones. The standard ones that the average person could buy. Now if your pockets are deep then you may be into the bigger ones but the two weights that come into focus are .055 Lbs. and 55 Lbs. Less than .055 and if flown for recreational purposes don't have to be registered and don't have to be Remote ID compliant. Those over .055 Lbs. or if flown for Commercial purposes then they must be registered regardless of weight and must have Remote ID.
So let’s look at the Pilot, they must be physically and mentally able to fly, 16 years of age or older and after taking The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) from the FAA https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone can fly a Drone. These flights must be below 400 feet above an object if within 400 feet of that object, as allowed by airspace regulations. That Drone must be within the eye site of the Pilot at the control (Visual Line of Site LOS) at a speed of 100 mph or less, must remain clear of all manned aircraft at all times and can’t be for any purpose other than pleasure of the pilot. Taking any kind of compensation is prohibited, or making money by using the pictures to help sell your property examples of prohibited activities for a Recreational Pilot Qualifications. Night flight is allowed as long as training has been conducted, TRUST Certification is complete, remain out of restricted airspace and FAA Approved Anti Collision light visible for 3 statute miles are on the drone. So, let’s assume that you want to do more. This is where the CFR 14 Part 107 comes in which is the FAA Regulations for UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) that weigh less than 55 lbs. total weight when taking off. This will require the successful passing of an FAA administered test covering much of what a Private Pilot would have to know, but tailored for the UAS Pilot. This test is a pass or fail and last time I checked will run you $175, fail and your pockets just got a little bit emptier. Upon passing a background check, and with a passing score a Commercial Pt 107 License will be issued. I mentioned Physically and Mentally able to operate a Drone and the FAA classifies the Flying under the Influence limit of below .04. That's correct ½ the legal drinking limit for operating a vehicle could find you in trouble with the Federal Government if you’re at the controls of a UAS. With the qualification some restricted airspace’s can be flown in at night with permission, able to charge and receive compensation of any kind for flights to include pictures taken during flight. Still restricted to the 400 foot mentioned above and with a maximum airspeed of 100 mph, avoiding manned aircraft at all times and within LOS of the Pilot. Waivers are available at the FAA Drone Zone https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/register_drone for deviations to these standards or by contacting Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC).
The Drone Zone web site above is where the registration is completed on all drones over .055 Lbs. for Recreational Pilots the cost is $5 for unlimited drones marked with the same registration number. This process is fairly simple typically the hardest part is reading the serial number on the drone. For Commercial Pilots they use the same web site above and pay $5 per drone.
Most States defer to the FAA regulations, when it comes to where Drones can be flown some of those restricted areas are around Military Facilities, Airports, Nuclear Power Plants, Prisons, National Parks just to name a few. Flights can be over private property however must be within visual line of site, not invading what is considered reasonable privacy (parked outside your window, or inside the walls of your home would be a violation to your privacy). Avoid flying over unprotected non-participants vehicles or personnel, remaining clear of wildfires, emergency response crews, public events, stadiums and public infrastructure. Violations of the regulations for a Drone Operator can be up to $10,000 per charge and at least one Recreational Pilot was fined $290,000 for multiple offenses by the FAA.
Just like the drone operator can face legal issues so can the general public. A Drone is considered an Aircraft, thus shooting at a Plane, Drone, UAS, UAV is not only dangerous what goes up must come down it is also illegal. Not only fines but Jail time is a potential keep in mind many drones are camera’s with potential to have images saved at the controller. Shining a laser at a drone is also illegal. For drones the pilot is away from the aircraft (they do call them Unmanned for a reason) so shining the laser at them does little if anything. However, in the past month over 100 Manned Aircraft Pilots have had someone shine a Laser Beam at them placing a lot of people at risk, guess that not all blinking lights in the sky at night are Drones.
For those that fly, make sure that your aware of the requirements and be safe, the cost of those drones can be an investment when they come out of the sky uncontrolled, people can be injured and property damaged in addition to the loss of the Drone. For those that see a drone flying and happen to see the Pilot operating the controls. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can see what we’re looking at, the views and perspectives are truly amazing. Unlike the Pilots in the sky we are not behind a locked door typically and are the person standing there with a controller in our hands looking to the sky.
