09-19-2014, 09:36 AM
It's definitely an area where regulation is evolving. Much of the controversy surrounds unmanned larger aerial vehicles (UAV) sharing controlled airspace. Typically, the small drones that are becoming popular for aerial photography are considered the same as R/C model aircraft.
The guidelines for the AMA have to be followed for members to be covered under their liability insurance coverage. They lobby heavily to protect their hobby and regulations would likely align with their rules. More information can be found on their site:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/documents.aspx
One of the areas I have heard about drone pilots having interaction with law enforcement over is when they penetrate TFR areas. This is common around forest fires when air operations are being conducted. There is a semi-permanent TFR in place over the summit of Kilauea, which does not cover the current flow:
http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_9697.html
There are other regulations to be concerned with as well outside of the FAA. Humpback whales are protected from aircraft coming within 1000' of them. The CD folks might feel that they have some regulatory authority as well.
I'd love to see the footage and I even did a You-Tube search last week thinking someone would have done it by now. I think the difference is that the drones used for the hurricane were operating over private property.
The guidelines for the AMA have to be followed for members to be covered under their liability insurance coverage. They lobby heavily to protect their hobby and regulations would likely align with their rules. More information can be found on their site:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/documents.aspx
One of the areas I have heard about drone pilots having interaction with law enforcement over is when they penetrate TFR areas. This is common around forest fires when air operations are being conducted. There is a semi-permanent TFR in place over the summit of Kilauea, which does not cover the current flow:
http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_9697.html
There are other regulations to be concerned with as well outside of the FAA. Humpback whales are protected from aircraft coming within 1000' of them. The CD folks might feel that they have some regulatory authority as well.
I'd love to see the footage and I even did a You-Tube search last week thinking someone would have done it by now. I think the difference is that the drones used for the hurricane were operating over private property.