034 FTAH: New Products & FAA Rules

by FliteTest | July 12, 2014 | (10) Posted in Podcasts

 Chris talks about some new products and chats about how the FAA interpretation is effecting the hobby.

Audio Link


The FAA is making new mandates/interpretations on FPV flying that would effectively ban that segment of the hobby altogether, as many of you know. Essentially the FAA's new interpretation of a model aircraft is banning all flying activities that are not line of site, meaning looking through your FPV goggles or on a standing screen will now be a fineable offense in the US. 

Here are a few actions you can take:
You can read about the AMA's position on the matter here:http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/FAAInterpretiveRule.pdf

As a US citizen, submit your own comments to the FAA on this new interpretation of what a model aircraft is here:http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FAA-2014-0396-0001

You can make a polite, informed and respectful comment and give a rating of the FAA on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/FAA?sk=reviews

You can sign a petition to have the FAA rescind the ruling. 
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-united-states-federal-aviation-administration-rescind-your-latest-ruling-on-model-fpv-flying-and-the-personal-commercial-use-of-unmanned-aerial-vehicles

If you have a moment, please take all of the actions above. The FAA needs to know your feelings on this matter. With a group effort we can at the very least not watch our hobby banned quietly. We are by no means experts on the matter, so please share your thoughts below. 

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COMMENTS

Epitaph on July 14, 2014
Guys, first, the Firstar isn't that new. It was made by Volantex as an RTF complete with transmitter and everything about a year ago, and HK just did their usual routine of copying it.

And as for the Cri-Cri, in the late ’80s, Brittany Ferries, a ferry company that ran between England, Ireland, France, Spain and a few others had 3 of them used as ultralight formation acrobatic planes, and I got to see them 1988/89 (can't remember exactly what year it was) for the celebration of the maiden voyage of the company's new at the time flagship "Bretagne". You think they look weird and funky, imagine three of them doing acrobatic maneuvers overheard!
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BigSam on July 16, 2014
Thanks for the mention! It's good to hear you guys are getting out and having some fun. Keep up the good work.
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ERAU1983 on July 15, 2014
Great discussion. You demonstrate the many views concerning the FAA's recent Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft. I intend to submit my comments, but there are probably many people that may feel as I do, that the FAA doesn't really care. The AMA was working with them to develop a community based set of rules for model aircraft and Congress gave them direction not to make rules impacting model aircraft. In publishing this document, they have made it clear they don't intent to listen to or cooperate with anyone. I am hoping someone in congress is going to get mad that the FAA chose to ignore their direction. I intent to tweak my representative on this subject. I agree with one of your comments, FPV will continue. People will use it as they have been. Those that fly in risky manner and create hazards will be the ones that the FAA will go after. This FAA interpretation will mostly hurt positive model aviation forums such as FliteTest.
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Ano Pilot on July 13, 2014
On Sunday? Thanks, a good podcast I thought. The FAA thing makes me feel sick. In my opinion it amounts to preying on the weak. If they go through with it, as punitively as they have outlined, surely all that will happen is that FPV will go underground. If they misuse their power in this way they provoke an outlaw mentality.
The logic of their argument, as represented in this podcast, seems solid enough but perhaps that very logic is inadequate to manage the emerging technologies of the 21st century. In my opinion the 'there is a risk' argument should be assessed by an ACTUAL study of occurrences. How many aircraft have ever been brought down, or even damaged, by an FPV piloted model? At worst, I suppose, it might be reasonable to submit to strict licensing. I'm very sorry about it.

Perhaps in the future we will have to have a Flite Test show on how to fly FPV illegally in the USA and get away with it? It could include: not putting phone numbers and addresses on aircraft; and pilots having a terrestrial vehicle (car or boat) FPV equipped as an excuse for wearing goggles: if discovered. Of course... I am just kidding.
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Planiac01 on July 12, 2014
Thank you for the links!
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glinester on July 13, 2014
I just read the "rules" the the FAA has had all along and apart from the FPV is the it breaks the rule of keeping your plane in SIGHT, and that is something you can't do with FPV goggles on, and flying over people or populated areas. The other stuff seems to be about making money with the FPV system, ie. taking pics of your proper for sale, looking at your commercial crop for problems
that might stop you from making money and selling pics/videos from FPV flights. I'm going to catch crap about my view, but come on you guys had to know, if you are going to use anything to make money the Gov is going to find a way to cash in. As with needing a license for CD radio years ago, maybe the AMA needs to set up a test to make sure you know what you are doing and you don't put anyone in danger. I know Clubs around where I live require you let a experienced club member fly your model to make sure it's ok and that you have an AMA membership. If I missed something please point me to my error.

Cliff
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034 FTAH: New Products & FAA Rules