Drone Laws in Congress.

February 28, 2014|ikem

I heard over the news one day that Iowa as starting to look at some "drone" laws, and being the person that I am, I had to email my legislators in both the house and senate.

Having just started in the hobby, and reading a LOT on other peoples experiances, I think I have enough information to do so.

Here is the email I sent to both my House and Senate Representives:

Hello Pat and Bill,

My name is Michael Henry, 23, and I live in Iowa Falls. I have been keeping up with the news about legislature talking about regulating "drones" or un-manned radio controlled flight platforms. I was wondering what both of your opinions were on it.

I am just getting into the radio controlled hobby, and I have a multi-rotor that I am starting to learn to fly. It does have a camera that has a transmitter, and it also holds a small Go Pro camera for recording. I still have not currently got it above 20 ft because the learning curve is pretty steep. As I hear more and more about the legislation about the use of drones, the more and more I see it getting to restricted. The FAA already has some laws pertaining to flying radio controlled platforms, and I think they are very good for what the hobby is currently. Yes, drones are gathering more interest and getting attention, but the cost and learning curve of the mid to high end platforms will be to much for some people. I have currently spent enough to qualify for a middle of the road platform, and it has the possibility of flying great, but I still cannot fly that well. That is even after 3-4 months of training.

From my view, as a consumer to the radio controlled hobby, I am going to use it for some aerial photography of the bluffs and river here in Iowa Falls, and as a volunteer fire fighter, possibly use it for rescue, but it will take a considerable amount of training before I discuss that with the department.

Well, summing things up I have 2 questions. As legislators, have you seen or tried to fly a drone? It would really change how you look at them if you tried to fly one. Also, many people are starting to do the exact same video transmitting and recording on radio controlled air planes, and helicopters as they are with drones. Basically, whatever can hold a GoPro camera, people will strap one on and fly it recording.

If either of you have not seen a drone or would like to fly my personal one, I would invite you to come to Iowa Falls and fly it.

Thank you for representing your respective districts, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Michael Henry.

That was 9 days ago, and I did not expect a reply. But, today I recieved an email from Pat. He told me the exact bill that he supported and gave some insight to his opinions.

Mike,

Thank you for contacting me. I supported HF 2289, which did regulate unmanned drones in an extremely limited fashion. The bill that we passed out of the house is still a work in progress. We are trying to find a way to balance the rights of private property owners, and folks like yourself that use these strictly for a hobby. We will continue to work on this legislation, trying to find a way to balance this relationship. Please continue to keep in touch.

Thanks

Pat

This is the exact answer I would like to hear. There were 2-3 bills that were presented to the House ans Senate, ranging from VERY harsh, to not allowing any camera device on an aerial platform, to very minimal, like what is found in HF 2289. After looking up HF 2289, found here, It states uses for State and local agencies, but also personal uses. While looking at the personal uses section, it really only signifies stalking and terrorism type activites. Which should be expected with all the problems out there, and I would think that they bring over some regular laws into the "drone" laws.

Here is the excerpt of the Personal Use of bill HF 2289:

Personal Use

It is illegal for a person to use an UAV to capture an image of individual or private property with the intent to conduct surveillance, or to stalk, follow, or intimidate another person. If the person has given permission for their image to be captured or to have their image received, than nothing illegal is taking place. The use of an UAV that is equipped to either emit a peculiar sound or excessive noise, spray a liquid or a gas, or
drop an object over real property is illegal unless permission is obtained by the owner or tenant of the real
property.

The bill has the following criminal penalties for persons who violate the laws associated with UAVs:

Aggravated misdemeanor if the person violates this law.

Class D felony if the person violates this law and causes serious injury to another.

Class C felony if the person violates this law and causes death to another person.

Totally understandable.

TLDL: Write your congress people. They do not know the opinions and ideas that we hobbiests actually have, and what the problems new laws may bring into the hobby. I understand that this bill will definitely change before it is signed, but at this point, it is going in a good direction.