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http://precisionlanding.irlock...
http://copter.ardupilot.com/wi...

In this case, the ipad app stored the data. I use APM Copter on pixhawk controllers, and am not intimately familiar with DJIs. In the case of the pixhawk, the telemetry is stored on flash. There is also a separate radio for telemetry and MAVLink commands.

So a remote computer, ipad, or android device could also log the telemetry as thing happen.

...

They've been regulated since before they existed. The FAA already handles them, just like RC airplanes they've handled for the last 50-60 years.

And for reference:

http://ardupilot.com/

They aren't going to bring the price down to $50 until the sensors are $1 each. Considering a quality GPS still costs > $50, as do a set of gyros or a set of accelerometers that are high enough quality to be useful, this is a year or two off still.

nice sig, I too am a pilot, have 2 r/c planes, 4 helis, and 2 drones, the drones are electric but the others are a mix of nitro and electric.

FAA has full authority over the skys and has since its inception.

UAS means UNMANNED arial system, not that no one is controlling it. Before you talk about something you should know what it means.

If you bother to do a basic google search you can find small drones lifting 50 pounds. Either one of my quads carry 10 pounds in gear easily once all the equipment for a cross country flight is bolted on, hell 5 of it is batteries alone. Another couple in camera and FPV gear, and yes, I've carried an occasional beer on it just like these guys are talking about while screwing around camping at the lake.

ALL of my aircraft are fully autonomous. They all use ArduPilot/ArduCopter ( http://ardupilot.com/ ) which if you bother to look is fully capable of flying from take-off to land on its own, there are plenty of youtube videos showing it.

The FAA allows HOBBY use for RC aircraft under the following conditions:
Below 400 feet
Within direct visual contact of the pilot, video does not count.
No commercial use
And of course they have to obey all the other proper rules for aircraft.

This does not limit the use of autonomous flight even, its fully legal, as long as you continue to obey the above rules, but those flights aren't really useful for hauling cargo due to the direct visual contact requirement.

Break those conditions you need a waiver or a Certificate of Airworthiness.

You need to read up on your regs and stop talking out your ass.

So, these guys haven't done anything that you couldn't do with a Raspberry Pi or even an Arduino, with radio controlled model servos.It's a deathtrap/murder machine, of course. But, you could even easily do it with an Ardurover.

This will kill somebody. No doubt about it.