Chris talks about some new products and chats about how the FAA interpretation is effecting the hobby.
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.
Hang out with us around the web!
Facebook: facebook.com/flitetest
Google+: google.com/+FliteTestHQ
Twitter: twitter.com/flitetest
Vine: @FliteTest
FliteTest Instagram: @flitetest
Josh's Instagram: @flitetestjb
Alex's Instagram: @zvada
Austin's Instagram: @austinfurey
Want to leave us a voicemail? Click here!
We just might play it on the next show! If you don't have a computer microphone, you can also download the SpeakPipe app for iPhone or iPad and leave a message that way. Remember to leave your name, where you are from and your question/discussion topic in under a minute to have the best chance of being played on the show!
Have a thought about the show?
Rate us in iTunes! It helps us out a lot. :)
flitetest.com/itunes
Log In to reply
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.
Log In to reply
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
Log In to reply
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!
Log In to reply
Log In to reply
Log In to reply