If it’s the Associated Press it is always their policy to dumb down the measurements.
Carleton From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Payne Sent: Monday, February 16, 2015 16:27 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:54617] Metric drone legislation Reading the proposed rules, I see the limits are actually 25 kg and 2 kg for Unmanned air vehicles, aka drones. Figures have been rounded by the media to 55 lbs and 4,4 lbs. Mike FAA Unveils Long Awaited Small Drone Draft Regulation The FAA unveiled its highly anticipated proposed regulation for the commercial use of small drones weighing less than 55 pounds yesterday, coinciding with the release of a Presidential memorandum setting privacy guidelines for federal agencies that use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Under the FAA’s proposed rule, which it called a “framework of regulations,” operators would be required to fly drones within their unaided line of sight, to a maximum altitude of 500 feet above ground level and during daylight hours. Flights in airspace sectors other than Class G uncontrolled airspace would require local ATC permission to maintain a buffer between manned and unmanned aircraft. The rule contains a “micro UAS option” that would permit more flexible operation in Class G airspace for drones weighing 4.4 pounds or less. Significantly, the regulation would not require small drone operators to have a pilot certificate. Rather, they would need a “newly created FAA unmanned aircraft operator’s permit.” Also, the FAA would not require small drones to be certified for airworthiness; instead, they must be maintained in a safe condition for flight. The FAA’s conditions must survive a rulemaking process that could take 18 months or longer. The agency will accept public comments for 60 days from the date the NPRM appears in the Federal Register. “Today’s action does not authorize widespread commercial use of unmanned aircraft,” Huerta advised. “That can only happen when the rule is final.”
