So, I went and brushed up on the non-commerical rules just because I haven't paid much attention to them recently, and they seem to have changed a bit, probably partially due to the law which was passed a few months ago ...
I agree 100%. For non-commerical, everything I read indicates that within 5 miles of any airport/heliport you simply need to call the airport owner/tower/etc. to notify them of your operation. The under 400ft requirement seems to have largely been excised from the FCC website, even though I have a copy of paperwork that I agreed to back when I did my original drone registration which says that I agree to fly under 400 ft. But, the class at wisapalooza can be summarized in one line: "If you're using a drone for commercial purposes you need a license. Inspecting a tower for a WISP you own or work for is going to almost certainly going to be a commercial purpose. Go get a license, which will also teach you all of the rules you need to be following, which are different than the non-commercial rules." On Mon, Apr 30, 2018 at 4:35 PM, Matt Hoppes < [email protected]> wrote: > Hobbyists do not get waivers. Commercial gets waivers. > > Hobbyists call the Tower. > Commercial just flies - with the waiver. > > Waivers are going away in favor of the instant authorization system LAANC. > > Clearly we need a session on drones at wispapalooza. > > > On Apr 30, 2018, at 18:16, Robert Andrews <[email protected]> > wrote: > > > > 5 miles around an airport they certainly are. And completely > prohibited without a waver.. > > > >> On 04/30/2018 08:19 AM, Matt Hoppes wrote: > >> Actually hobbyists are not limited to how high they can fly. > >>> On Apr 30, 2018, at 11:11, Forrest Christian (List Account) < > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: > >>> From my understanding so far, while the spirit of what you're saying > is true, it is more complicated than that. > >>> > >>> If you're flying as a hobbyist within 5 miles of any airport, helipad, > etc. (towered or not) you need a FAA waiver. In addition, you're limited > to 400ft, can't fly over certain areas, etc. One really should read up on > and follow the rules, as they're not just there to irritate drone users. > >>> > >>> If you have a commercial license then where you can fly is based on > the actual airspace classification instead of the five mile limit. Much of > the knowledge needed for the test revolves around understanding how to know > where it is safe and legal to fly based on charts and observation. > >>> > >>> > >>> On Mon, Apr 30, 2018, 8:37 AM Robert <[email protected] <mailto: > [email protected]>> wrote: > >>> > >>> Also be aware that if you are within five miles of a towered > >>> airport you > >>> need FAA wavers for flight in that area. I talked to a > >>> controller the > >>> other day and he was not kidding in any way, dead serious about > >>> prosecuting violators to the same level as they go after laser > >>> flashers. > >>> Seems the FAA is on edge about the first aircraft to be brought > >>> down > >>> by a drone. I thought it was a small probability but the FAA > >>> seems to > >>> think otherwise.. > >>> > >>> On 4/30/18 7:17 AM, Forrest Christian (List Account) wrote: > >>> > For those of you considering using a Drone for commercial > >>> purposes, be > >>> > aware you probably need a commercial drone license. Like many > >>> other > >>> > things, you probably will never get caught if the flight is for > >>> internal > >>> > use, but the requirement still exists. > >>> > > >>> > I'm currently slowly working on getting mine for various > >>> reasons. Have > >>> > been enjoying learning a bit more about our aeronautics system > >>> in the > >>> > USA. So far it doesn't seem like it's that difficult. > >>> > > >>> > On Mon, Apr 30, 2018, 7:13 AM Dave <[email protected] > >>> <mailto:[email protected]> > >>> > <mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>> wrote: > >>> > > >>> > We are in the market for one now. > >>> > > >>> > I was looking at the welds and mounting of that ring to hold > all > >>> > that gear. I like overkill for structural integrity. I would > >>> have more > >>> > larger feet bolted to the tank on all angles. > >>> > Just thinking about my poor tower guys cursing me after they > >>> > discover what they are hooked on to. > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > > >>> > On 04/30/2018 12:14 AM, Steve Jones wrote: > >>> >> my contractor shot some drone pics on a site. other than > >>> the uber > >>> >> sloppy cable this doesnt look as terrible as it is. will > >>> rebuild > >>> >> it, but the drone footage and pics is crazy useful, the > >>> external > >>> >> perspective really helps getting an overall. i highly > recommend > >>> >> getting drone shots > >>> > > >>> > -- > >>> > > >>> > -- *Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.* Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602 [email protected] | http://www.packetflux.com <http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux>
