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FAA Moves Toward Treating Drones and Planes As Equals (hackaday.com)

Hackaday's Tom Nardi writes about the Federal Aviation Administration's push to repeal Section 336, which states that small remote-controlled aircraft as used for hobby and educational purposes aren't under FAA jurisdiction. "Despite assurances that the FAA will work towards implementing waivers for hobbyists, critics worry that in the worst case the repeal of Section 336 might mean that remote control pilots and their craft may be held to the same standards as their human-carrying counterparts," writes Nardi. From the report: Section 336 has already been used to shoot down the FAA's ill-conceived attempt to get RC pilots to register themselves and their craft, so it's little surprise they're eager to get rid of it. But they aren't alone. The Commercial Drone Alliance, a non-profit association dedicated to supporting enterprise use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), expressed their support for repealing Section 336 in a June press release: "Basic 'rules of the road' are needed to manage all this new air traffic. That is why the Commercial Drone Alliance is today calling on Congress to repeal Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, and include new language in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act to enable the FAA to regulate UAS and the National Airspace in a common sense way."

The 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act does not simply repeal Section 336, it also details the new rules the agency would impose on unmanned aircraft and their operators. Under these proposed rules, all unmanned aircraft would be limited to an altitude of 400 feet unless they have specific authorization to exceed that ceiling. They must also be operated within line of sight at all times, effectively ending long-range First Person View (FPV) flying. There's also language in the Reauthorization Act about studying the effects of flying unmanned aircraft at night, or over groups of people. It also states that drones, just like traditional aircraft, must be registered and marked. It even authorizes the FAA to investigate methods of remote identification for drones and their operators, meaning it's not unreasonable to conclude that RC aircraft may be required to carry transponders at some point in the future. To many in the hobby this seems like an unreasonable burden, especially in the absence of clear limits on what type of small aircraft would be excluded (if any).
The report also notes that the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act will require drone operators to have to pass an "aeronautical knowledge and safety test," and to show proof of their passing to any law enforcement if questioned. Also with the repeal of Section 336, "young people might actually be excluded from flying remote-controlled aircraft," Nardi writes. "While many RC planes and quadcopters are marketed as children's toys, in the absence of Section 336, it's not clear that a child could legally operate one. The FAA requires a person to be 16 years of age to obtain a pilot's license, and if unmanned aircraft are truly expected to obey the same 'rules of the road,' it's not unreasonable to assume that age requirement will remain in effect."

98 of 167 comments (clear)

  1. irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    with the unsafe and perverted nonsense going on in my neighborhood because of punks with drones, some testing and regulation might be a good thing

    1. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by ScentCone · · Score: 1

      with the unsafe and perverted nonsense going on in my neighborhood because of punks with drones, some testing and regulation might be a good thing

      And this would stop stupid people willing to do illegal things ... how?

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    2. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 2

      I could have the cops take their toys away when they are doing dangerous or intrusive things, that's how. Or maybe even give their illegal drone some #4 birdshot, what are they going to do, whine how their illegal drone was blown to bits?

    3. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by CaptQuark · · Score: 1

      Your solution makes about as much sense as using a shotgun to blow the tires off a car parked in a loading only zone. Or a bicyclist that rides down a pedestrian-only walkway so you demolish his bike with a baseball bat. Just because something is against the law doesn't give another person the right to turn vigilante.

      ---

    4. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Not every problem needs to be solved with guns.

      Sure, paintball is enough for dealing with hobby drones. Spend a few to down the drone - then another one when they come to pick up the pieces.

      Or slingshot, and a large nut with a nice long string tied to it. String gets caught in propellers. . .

    5. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      Sure, birdshot falling down from the sky isn't going to hurt anyone but once every nitwit runs out and starts to shoot down drones there is a much larger risk that you will get hit in the eye.

      Not every problem needs to be solved with guns.

      No, I think this one needs lasers. Heavy powered type shit that'll melt a hole through the plastic in two seconds flat.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    6. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      Yes, we need to test and regulate some toys because of them damn punks are slightly unsafe. Also I want to be able to blow the drown out of the sky with my shotgun, because 'MURIKA!

    7. Re: irresponsible youths and their toys by bn-7bc · · Score: 1

      So request an altitude change and stop complaining :)

    8. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by Frobnicator · · Score: 3, Insightful

      When it comes to policy (government, business, whatever) I have two questions: (1) What specific problem is it trying to solve, and (2) will the policy actually solve the problem.

      I'm not sure what the "punks with drones" in your neighborhoods are doing, but it does feel like that's the biggest set of problems. "Punks with drones" brings up images of people who are ignorant of the risks or problems, and also people who intentionally or maliciously use their aircraft for things like dive-bombing people or to otherwise annoy or harass. Since the law has now actually passed, it's a matter of looking at what it does.

      Going through the list in the law, I think the rules mostly address actual problems, but introduce many of their own.

      Item 1 on the law brings back the "strictly recreational purposes" rule, which was the source of several lawsuits that brought about the earlier policy. Now that it is back you can be sure lawsuits will follow it. Landscapers, survey crews, and similar workers lose a valuable tool but they weren't a problem before. Photographers and journalists lose the exemption although some of them were "punks with drones", some were not. Community search and rescue groups lose the exemption and they definitely weren't a problem. These eight words are highly problematic.

      Line of sight restrictions are trying to solve a real problem, but the wording change is heavy-handed and sloppy. I have two aerial hobbies, and have had words with drone pilots who were beyond trees, flying their aircraft in areas that were still inside their line of sight above the tree line, but not where they could see the surrounding areas and couldn't see the dangers. I have been overflown, sometimes dangerously close, by pilots who were buzzing what they saw was the tree line, flying at the edge of their visibility. Their dangerous flight still meets the requirements of line of sight but they had no idea how close they were to causing major damage. Contrast with craft with cameras that grant a good view of the entire area yet fly out of direct line of sight. Even though the pilot might not see the craft, they have high visibility of their environment. There are far better solutions than the 28-word section of the policy.

      Not interfering with manned aircraft, not interfering with established flight zones, and limits to height are all known-good solutions and were part of the old policy. Those solve real problems, both for other aircraft and for people on the ground. Many air fields (including model aircraft shows) have boundaries, and sadly many pilots (including those who know better) violate the boundaries and risk the safety of others. There is no bright line to know you've crossed the boundary, and it sadly needs better enforcement.

      The rule about passing a safety test and maintaining "proof of test passage" to be displayed on request (i.e. must carry a license) doesn't seem to solve an actual problem. Those licenses require many hours of training, plus a few hundred bucks for the tests. The cheap little whirlygigs and palm-sized quad-copters really are children's toys and shouldn't need the license, but the policy includes them. Larger craft that cost thousands of dollars could reasonably require some training because they can easily cause serious damage and personal harm, HOWEVER, those pilots tend to get training because a crash is expensive and most people don't start with one of these. I don't know if a requirement to carrying a license that can be given to law enforcement on request is the right solution, but it doesn't feel like it. Time will tell, it might help with the "punks with drone" problem you describe, but I doubt it. Instead it will mean outlaws have drones because near-everybody is an outlaw.

      The proof of registration is for tax revenue. It doesn't solve a real problem, it's just feeding the coffers. There are currently more than one million of these craft currently registered. Registration used to be mandatory but free. Now it is mandatory and paid. Some gov

      --
      //TODO: Think of witty sig statement
    9. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Lasers don't make great anti-aircraft weapons... You need a hell of a lot of power to do any real damage, and keeping locked on a moving target is hard. Range is quite limited too, due to beam divergence and particles in the air scattering it.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    10. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by andydread · · Score: 1

      With all the illegal things people are using computers to do on the internet some regulation is needed. I'm tired of the pervs and thieves and criminals on the internet. We should require anyone that uses the internet to get stamped and registered and mandate all computers to have a tracking device for the safety of people using the internet. People just want to use the internet in peace we need a way to track the hackers so lets regulate everyones computers.

    11. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by Shaitan · · Score: 1

      Who cares about kids getting their jollys. While someone might squeal, jump on a table, and shriek "kill it"; looking never actually hurt anything.

      On the other hand there is a great deal of experimentation and learning to be had from these tools. In many ways it is like Ham radio of old... actually many of those who pilot these things become HAM radio operators so they can tinker with them further and take advantage of superior technology.

    12. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      no, it makes as much sense as grabbing the camera from the peeper standing on a ladder outside my daughter's bedroom window and smashing it. in other words, a lot of sense.

      your stupid wuss world is inferior to mine

    13. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      no, #4 merely falling isn't going to hurt anyone. won't make a bruise, won't raise a welt. good grief people have silly ideas

    14. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      yeah, on anti-gun nuts. want everyone to be a defenseless victim rather than solve problems

    15. Re: irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      no truck at all, don't need one. guess again

    16. Re:irresponsible youths and their toys by iggymanz · · Score: 1

      these "kids" as you call them, actually adult babies, seem to think it's funny to "buzz" people with a 5 lbs. drone going as close to the victim's head as they can.

      they also think it's funny to spy on young women through windows.

      Law abiding adults care what these "kids", juvenile adults, do.

      They need the hammer brought down on them, and their toys.

  2. So I can land at airports? by jfdavis668 · · Score: 1

    Does this mean I can now land my drone at the local airport?

    1. Re:So I can land at airports? by viperidaenz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      After you get their permission and pay the landing fees, sure.
      Along with the usual flight plans and registering them with air traffic control.

    2. Re:So I can land at airports? by DanDD · · Score: 2

      This is exactly what it means. Once you have a pilot's license and your drone is equipped with sufficient instrumentation to see and avoid other aircraft, you could file a flight plan (if needed) and land at a local airport. Just keep in mind that depending on the services you require at an airport, you could be charged a landing fee.

      And, despite the fact that I am a pilot and can fly my own damn plane, I can see the day when I would pay you for a drone ride to the other side of town in order to avoid hellacious traffic. I can also see the concept of an 'airport' evolving greatly over time.

      If you stay clear of the National Airspace System and keep your drone within sight and out of the way of a bunch of us flying meat bags, then you're good to go.

      Happy flying!

      --
      "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
    3. Re:So I can land at airports? by Greyfox · · Score: 1
      You'll likely have to obey airspace restrictions, which is more likely to lead to you not being able to operate your drone anywhere near a large airport, stadiums or sporting events or other aircraft. I'm a bit hazy on the actual distances off the top of my head -- it's been a couple off years since I've read the FARs, and I'm only incidentally involved with the airspace anyway.

      Oh yeah, and you'll probably also have to read all the FAA Regulations. It sounds like they're being somewhat rewritten at the moment, so it's probably a good idea to review them after they're done anyway. If you have a question, they probably answer them. Of course, that only pertains to US airspaces. Other countries have their own regulatory bodies, so if you're operating outside the USA, you probably won't be affected, anyway.

      --

      I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

    4. Re: So I can land at airports? by nitehawk214 · · Score: 1

      Are you going to post this same comment in reply to everyone on this post?

      --
      I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
    5. Re:So I can land at airports? by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      Parent isn't at all insightful.
      Neither flight plans nor registration are required for a private aircraft to fly into a local airport under VFR conditions. Private pilot here.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
    6. Re:So I can land at airports? by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      Depends on the airspace.

  3. An paragliders, paramotors, etc. are unlicensed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    They should at least be consistent. Paragliders and related are not licensed at all.

  4. Wide spectrum of drones by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    There is a very wide spectrum of drones. One one end there are the micro-quadcopters that weigh 50 grams, on the other one there is RQ-4 Global Hawk. Having one regulation for tiny quadcopters or model planes on end and multi-ton machines at the other end makes no sense whatsoever.

    Anything that flies lower than 100 feet AGL in class G airspace should not need to be regulated. Any unmanned vehicle flying in any other class of airspace than class G and above 100 feet AGL in class G airspace should be regulated and operators adequately trained. This would be simple and sensible.

  5. Gee thanks you quad copter morons by p51d007 · · Score: 2

    I've been involved with R/C for over 30 years. Always go out of town or a very open field with NO people to fly my stuff. Now all these lDIOTS that take their quads out of a box, charge them, turn them on and suddenly... I'm a pilot! They have no idea the danger those spinning blade have, how to operate them, no respect for safety or anything. Now, thanks to YOU morons, I'll probably have to get a license, be tested, pay a fee all because of these stupid toys (not including the pros that fly these things for commercial purposes). I've been a ham operator for about as long, and back in the "old" FM days, flew a black flag on my transmitter. Those old Futaba transmitters were pretty good to, nothing like the Spectrum transmitters today, but still for the time pretty good. THANKS a lot.

    1. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      RC enthusiasts go out in groups and cooperate to make it more or less safe. People still get hit or interfere with each other, and it's regulated by gentlemen's agreements.

      That only works as long as the number of people is relatively low. Same with driving cars, anyone could do it at first with no test or check on their vehicle. Then everybody wanted to drive and more regulation was needed. Same with radio transmitters and many other things operating in shared spaces.

      Sucks for you but it was inevitable really.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by andydread · · Score: 1

      cry me a fucking river. You old RC greybeards are part of the problem. You assume all people that fly quadcopters are irresposible and lump us all in the same boat. Here's a fucking clue. Many of us build our quadcopters from scratch. Ever heard of FPV? The entire FPV world is not the same as the people who go buy a toy drone and take it out of the box and fly it. Geez smfh

    3. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by magzteel · · Score: 1

      I've been involved with R/C for over 30 years. Always go out of town or a very open field with NO people to
      fly my stuff. Now all these lDIOTS that take their quads out of a box, charge them, turn them on and suddenly...
      I'm a pilot! They have no idea the danger those spinning blade have, how to operate them, no respect for safety
      or anything.

      Friend of mine took his new DJI drone out at a local park. In seconds it was so high and distant I couldn't spot it in the sky, and at some point couldn't hear it either. Passing park rangers notified us that drone usage in a state park was illegal. Turns out there are few places in the state where it is legal to fly them

      I was amazed at the flight capability. From your experience would you say these new devices are flown much higher and farther than what a traditional RC enthusiast was doing? Given the proximity to a local airfield it seemed pretty hazardous to me.

    4. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by leeosenton · · Score: 1

      And no-one ever bought an RTF from the local hobby shop and flew it in a schoolyard or local park without concern for safety, radio interference, AMA licensing, or flying at a sanctioned field. Get a hint, you sound like a grumpy old guy. I've flown FF, UC, and RC since the early 1970s and now I am flying a drone. My first act (while charging my drone) was to register it with the feds and read the operating rules. It's no different than any other form of model aviation. There is no shortage of idiots and they are involved in many areas of RC modeling, not just drones.

    5. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Unless they've converted to UHF radios (that call for a FCC license), the DJI is still low and close.

      Balloon released FPV that lets you see the horizon's curvature is where 'traditional RC people' are.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    6. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      An _empty_ football practice field is a perfect place to fly a slow stick.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    7. Re:Gee thanks you quad copter morons by dcw3 · · Score: 1

      No, the overwhelming majority of you did NOT build your own, and have zero training. So, take your homebuilt one, and go show others how to be responsible with theirs, because there are many (not most) who aren't.

      --
      Just another day in Paradise
  6. The summary is better than the headline by raymorris · · Score: 2

    The section in question applies to small model planes uses only for recreation (no commercial use). In other words, toys. For decades model aircraft have been just fine using compliance with AMA rules, without a bunch of paperwork with the FAA for each foam plane.

    The word "drone", used in the title, has at least three completely different meanings.

    In the military, a "drone" is an aircraft, normally fixed-wing (an airplane) which has some degree of ability to operate autonomously.

    Around the same time that new military drones were in the news, toy helicopters with four motors (quadcopters) became popular. Advertisers capitalized on the media coverage of military drones by calling these toys "drones", though they can in no way fly autonomously. Most can't go more than about 100 meters from the operator (though a few can go further).

    Thirdly, although the physics are such that quadcopters are horrible for scaling up, some people thought about building 2 meter sized quadcopters and using them commercially. There have been some serious proposals, but largely that's gimmick to get attention because the physics don't work out very well. Anyway, that's a third thing called "drone" that's very different from military jets, and very different from little plastic toys.

    Talking about what laws should be for "drones" doesn't make much sense because military jet planes are called drones, little plastic toys are called drones, and motorcycle-sized commercial aircraft are called drones. Talking about laws for "drones" is pointless, or worse, highly misleading, unless you first define which kind of "drone" you're talking about.

    Section 336 is about model aircraft, little foam and plastic toys. Getting rid of it won't solve any concerns anyone may have with anything else called "drone", such as the commercial use vehicles Amazon talks about.

    1. Re:The summary is better than the headline by Antique+Geekmeister · · Score: 1

      You've made an interesting point. But most of the current furor over abuse and privacy and safety are about precisely the "second" set of drones you mention. In common usage, those are what most people mean by drones, and they are what will be affected most strongly by removing section 336, which is the law currently affecting control of those devices by the FAA. A short news article seems unlikely to draw the distinctions about the other types of drones because the usage is clear.

    2. Re:The summary is better than the headline by Obfuscant · · Score: 1

      Advertisers capitalized on the media coverage of military drones by calling these toys "drones", though they can in no way fly autonomously.

      With a simple app on an Android phone (Pix4D) a DJI Phantom series "drone" can fly completely autonomously, from take-off through landing.

      Talking about laws for "drones" is pointless, or worse, highly misleading, unless you first define which kind of "drone" you're talking about.

      Isn't it great, then, that laws dealing with "drones" don't actually call them that and do, indeed, define exactly what is covered?

      Section 336 is about model aircraft,

      Part 107 is more important as a sign of how the FAA treats "drone" pilots as compared to "real" pilots, and no, they do not require nearly as much training or demonstrated ability from an RPV licensee as a PP-SEL.

  7. This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 2

    I'm a commercial drone operator, and literally everything in the parent post is how we already operate. It's not even a little bit burdensome, and it lets sUAS operators fly safely with our crewed counterparts.

    No, you _can't_ fly your drone out of sight without a spotter or a waiver. You never know when a helicopter's gonna be around, or when you'll bump into something you can't see. No, you can't fly over 400 feet without a waiver — low flying air traffic can't see a 3 ft wide drone until it's too late, and if they're coming up in your (massive) blind spot, you won't see them either. Flying at low altitudes over large crowds of people can be unsafe if you have some sort of malfunction.

    Look, it's all fun and games when you're flying a drone around inside. But if you're in a busy airport's Class C airspace, you don't need to be screwing around where your drone can get sucked into a jet intake or smack into a helicopter. You need to know the rules of the road. You need to know where and when it's safe to fly.

    It's not even that hard to get a commercial license. Study, take a few practice tests online, go down to an FAA testing center and sit for the exam. There's a fee, which should arguably be lower, but for Pete's sake, these are exceptionally reasonable requirements.

    It's not oppression. It's just safety.

    1. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by Brett+Buck · · Score: 1

      So, you think it's quite reasonable to require an airplane tethered to the ground with 70' wires, and entirely mechanically operated, no batteries, no electronics, and can only be flown in a circle should have a transponder and the operator pass a test about a air navigation? After having never even see a quadcopter up close, or ever having flown RC?

            You know *nothing* about this, you are the problem, and you are the reason this is happening.

    2. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by Lothsahn · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm a commercial drone operator, and literally everything in the parent post is how we already operate. It's not even a little bit burdensome, and it lets sUAS operators fly safely with our crewed counterparts.

      You're either very confused or straight out lying.

      I fly a RC aircraft at a small RC airfield in a rural area which is around 10 miles from the nearest (small) airport. I fly a homebuilt RC aircraft that cost me $400 total (including the controller) and weighs roughly 2 pounds to a maximum altitude of around 300 ft. I only get to fly 10 times a year due to time constraints, and in fact, I didn't fly at all last year.

      Now we have the FAA pushing to RC planes like manned aircraft. Keep in mind a pilot's license currently costs $4-10k plus lots of training--to fly a toy in mostly unnavigable airspace.

      Yes, we have a problem. There are drones operated near and in class B airspace, and they have caused issues and encounters with aircraft. Something must be done. But treating toy RC aircraft like planes is insane. Calling those laws "no burden" is wrong.

      Yes, this is oppression. I should be able to play with toys without tons of training and paperwork in my own backyard. Except for near airports, the safety argument is crap. Last year in the US, 818 people died riding bikes. 110 died from lawnmowers. 51 died from lightning. How many people have died in the history of recreational RC aircraft? 3?

      --
      -=Lothsahn=-
    3. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by mark-t · · Score: 1

      You never know when a helicopter's gonna be around

      When you are flying about 30 to 40 feet from the ground in a public park, it's a pretty safe bet that a helicopter isn't going to be flying there. The drone might occasionally go out of sight as it passes behind a tree, but helicopters aren't going to be landing in such heavily wooded areas either because there's no room for them

    4. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      100% correct. There are many differences in hobby aircraft flyers. I fly mine not much higher than my house and over a field. While other people fly them way higher and over other people and houses. But the regulations often treat both as the same. I can throw a baseball as high as the max I fly and it is never above other people. There is no risk of an aircraft collision -- none at all. Why should we have lots of regulation on that?

      But yes there are people who will fly them really high and crazy far distances. But treating the two the same would be like treating a house like a skyscraper. They are very different things.

      'Cause you're able to. And sure, maybe you're not gonna, but there's plenty of people who could take that same drone in that same park and go off and do grander things with it. To make a scruffy analogy: You still have to know what a stoplight is to get a driver's license, even if your town doesn't have any.

      But here's the thing: None of these regulations would affect the way you fly! Less than 400 ft altitude? Check. Not flying at night, or over crowds? Check. Not out of sight? Check. Maximum speed/weight? No problem. Sure, you gotta have a registration number, but drones have flyaways sometimes, it's not unreasonable to think a driver/homeowner/the cops might need to figure out whose runaway drone just hit someone's tree/house/car. Honestly, I rarely run into the boundaries that govern commercial flight.

      But jackwagon who's got a drone out 2 miles with FPV goggles and no spotter? Folks flying next to airports? Those guys need to be reined in.

    5. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      Fabulous! These regs generally won't affect you!

    6. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by mark-t · · Score: 1

      Exactly my point... that people who fly their drones responsibly and unobtrusively would be very likely able to continue to use their drone exactly the way they always have without any legal repercussions, even if they don't have any kind of license or registration to do so.

      Heck, I'd think that a high flying *KITE* probably poses more of a risk to low-flying aircraft than a drone that is being responsibly flown would. I've flown kites as a kid *way* way higher than any drone I've ever seen go.

    7. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      I'm using Verifly for insurance — they happily cover commercial operations. It's a few bucks per flight.

      I fly an Inspire One, pretty comparable to the 3DR Solo.

    8. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      I'm a commercial drone operator, and literally everything in the parent post is how we already operate. It's not even a little bit burdensome, and it lets sUAS operators fly safely with our crewed counterparts.

      You're either very confused or straight out lying.

      No, I'm pretty sure I'm still on point.

      I fly a RC aircraft at a small RC airfield in a rural area which is around 10 miles from the nearest (small) airport. I fly a homebuilt RC aircraft that cost me $400 total (including the controller) and weighs roughly 2 pounds to a maximum altitude of around 300 ft. I only get to fly 10 times a year due to time constraints, and in fact, I didn't fly at all last year.

      So nothing about these regulations would be especially onerous? You're flying in line of sight, you're flying under 400 feet, you're not flying in controlled airspace or at night...

      Now we have the FAA pushing to RC planes like manned aircraft. Keep in mind a pilot's license currently costs $4-10k plus lots of training--to fly a toy in mostly unnavigable airspace.

      Yes, we have a problem. There are drones operated near and in class B airspace, and they have caused issues and encounters with aircraft. Something must be done. But treating toy RC aircraft like planes is insane. Calling those laws "no burden" is wrong.

      Yes, this is oppression. I should be able to play with toys without tons of training and paperwork in my own backyard. Except for near airports, the safety argument is crap. Last year in the US, 818 people died riding bikes. 110 died from lawnmowers. 51 died from lightning. How many people have died in the history of recreational RC aircraft? 3?

      It's not tons of training and paperwork. The commercial exam is the aeronautical equivalent of the Technician ham radio license. You can do free practice tests online, and expect to pass the actual exam. I can't imagine a hobbyist license would be any more difficult.

      Repealing 336 (as I'm reading it) would put everyone under the same restrictions as commercial sUAS operators. Now, the exam fee is kind of steep — it oughta be $15 for noncommercial, not $150 — but the rest of the operational flight requirements would affect basically nobody in this thread.

      And yeah, if you're gonna fly, you oughta know the rules of the road. For a ham radio analogy: 2 meter handhelds, improperly used, probably won't kill anyone or disrupt much — but you still gotta get a license and know what you're doing.

    9. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      Yeah, generally agreed. These changes just won't affect people flying RC or tethered aircraft who are flying within line of sight and under 400 feet. You might have to go sit for an exam and write a registration number on your aircraft, but it's not a tough exam and you can use small letters.

    10. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      Well, this was a charitable comment. But there's no point in being a jerk on the internet, so:

      I don't know much about tethered flight. You're right. How much of this kind of thing happens? Why are these even aircraft? How are they not regulated like kites?

    11. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by mark-t · · Score: 1

      It's the "line of sight" thing that bothers me the most, really... because I can easily envision situations where the craft is flown into areas that you don't directly see, except by what the camera on the device will show you, but it's not invading anyone's privacy or flying in any area it shouldn't be either.

      For example, making an obstacle course out of large cardboard boxes and navigating the drone through it entirely by on-board camera... obviously of no danger to anyone, but still technically in contravention of the "line of sight" requirements.

    12. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by ki4iib · · Score: 1

      I think the way a lot of FPV racing folks get around that is by flying in large warehouses. Inside == not an FAA problem.

      But yeah, sort of like flying a drone through a blow-up paintball course or something. That could be fun.

    13. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by Mal-2 · · Score: 1

      Why should the license cost $150 when a ham license costs $5?

      --
      How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
    14. Re:This isn't new -- or particular burdensome. by cciRRus · · Score: 1

      I understand what you mean because I live there. But specifically for drone offenses, the punishments aren't that harsh.

      --
      w00t
  8. Re:FAA? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 3, Insightful

    why did they do something as stupid as treating drones and planes equally?

    Why does the FCC regulate micropower AM/FM stations? Why does the DOT regulate home-built cars?

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  9. and kites? gliders? by 4wdloop · · Score: 1

    there goes my potato gun and water rocket!

    --
    4wdloop
  10. Didn't hurt my fingers when I grabbed the prop by raymorris · · Score: 1

    > But most of the current furor over abuse and privacy and safety are about precisely the "second" set of drones you mention. In common usage, those are what most people mean by drones, and they are what will be affected most strongly by removing section 336

    I suspect most of the fear and furor is from confusing the second set, toys, with the third set, large commercial vehicles ala Amazon. If people are seriously worried about their safety from other people playing with toys, they are not well informed about the topic. I have the most common "large" size quadcopter, same size as the DJI Phantom, and I've grabbed it by the rotor while it was flying. Didn't hurt. The plastic props arw *designed* to not cause injury. The prop on my model plane did hurt. Not enough to cause lasting injury, but a bandaid was appropriate. The "drone" prop didn't merit a band-aid.

    If you're concerned about YOU getting injured because I play with a toy, I invite you to come check it out and see what it's like. I suspect you'll be particularly surprised how light it is. The physics of flight are a bit complicated, but all kinds of flight equations end up with the same conclusion - the lighter the better for flight, and very much so. I'll also invite you to feel the nylon props and I think you'll be surprised how soft they are - a bit harder than a pencil eraser.

    As it happens, other government agencies are pretty picky about the safety of toys. Toys aren't supposed to injure the people using them, so anyone who isn't even touching the toy is pretty darn safe. Someone riding a bike is much more likely to hurt you - bikes are much, much heavier, and made of metal. Model aircraft are made of plastic and foam.

    1. Re:Didn't hurt my fingers when I grabbed the prop by petermgreen · · Score: 1

      As it happens, other government agencies are pretty picky about the safety of toys

      Which is why so many products say "this is not a toy" on the box.

      There are plenty of drones in between "kids toys" and "large commercial vehicles". Devices that are big enough to be potentially hazardous, big enough to accommodate automated flight stabilisation, automated waypoint flight, automated return home, long distance remote control and long distance remote vision yet small and cheap enough that any non-dirt poor adult can by go out and buy one.

      --
      note: i'm known as plugwash most places but i screwd up registering that here somehow in the past and now can't register
  11. The Commercial Drone Alliance ... by CaptainDork · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... , a non-profit association dedicated to supporting enterprise use of Unmanned Aerial Systems ...

    Is that like a special interest group for "for-profits", kinda like lobbyists or a PACs or stuff?

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    1. Re:The Commercial Drone Alliance ... by oh-dark-thirty · · Score: 4, Insightful

      They want the hobbyists to go away so they can own that airspace for their member's delivery drones and other money-making gimmicks.

  12. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why does the FCC regulate micropower AM/FM stations? Why does the DOT regulate home-built cars?

    First of all, the DOT does not regulate home-built cars. I'm not sure where you got this bad information, but I'm not surprised, considering the quality of most of your assertions.

    Second, "regulate" is not the same as "treat as equals". But thanks for setting up those two dopey strawmen for me to set afire.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  13. "The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling!!" by Required+Snark · · Score: 1

    Every idiot quadcopter pilot who flies with no thought of safety, regulations, noise, privacy, or common sense. That would be well over a third of them, possibly over half.

    --
    Why is Snark Required?
    1. Re:"The Sky is Falling, the Sky is Falling!!" by bongey · · Score: 1

      Language would require a rubber band powered balsa air plane to be registered

  14. Irony: ultralights by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

    You can (legally, in the US) buy an ultralight aircraft and fly it in some areas without any sort of training or licensure. Look up Part 103 ultralight.

    1. Re:Irony: ultralights by DanDD · · Score: 1

      If you are able to get an ultralight in the air with no training and survive the landing, great! Welcome to aviation! And since you are carrying around a pair of Mark I Eyeballs in your head, please see and avoid other aircraft. And watch out for all the damn drones :-p

      --
      "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  15. Re:Here's an idea by scdeimos · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "$15,000 worth of training and certifications" is probably more than necessary.

    Flying model aircraft pilots, depending on how good they are, will spend $100-$300 on lessons before they can pass their Bronze Wings tests (administered by the national aeromodelling organisation in each country) and then many more hours flying at registered aeromodelling airfields practising for the Gold Wings test that allows them to participate in organised aerobatics and racing competitions.

    I'm not against enforcing that drone pilots go through such training. Drone pilots should also have to pay for public liability insurance every year just like the aeromodelling pilots are required to do.

  16. Re:An paragliders, paramotors, etc. are unlicensed by DanDD · · Score: 1

    But paramotor pilots have eyeballs to see and avoid other aircraft. At least they do until they encounter a pissed off and highly territorial eagle or hawk and have their face ripped off, or just have their day ruined

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  17. Rubberband airplane would require registration by bongey · · Score: 1

    FAA is going nuts, the language would require registration for simple balsa rubber band powered plane.

  18. anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not TCAS by DanDD · · Score: 4, Informative

    TCAS has no dependency on ADS-B. TCAS depends on other aircraft having mode C, and is itself built on mode S, which is just a digital enhancement to mode C.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

    TCAS basically direction finds and ranges mode C broadcasts. TCAS antennas have multiple elements, thus multiple antenna cables, to allow the timed reception and calculation to determine range and direction.

    ADS-B, once fully implemented, will mostly obsolete TCAS, as ADS-B has an integrated WAAS GPS source and broadcasts identity, location, and heading info. ADS-B transponders that both listen and transmit can provide proximity alerts and display relative positions and headings of other aircraft.

    I say mostly because the ADS-B protocol is not secure, so bad actors can spoof being somewhere and/or someone they aren't. This could and would be detected, and, ah -eliminated with prejudice- rather quickly once deteced - i.e. in the range of a ground radar station (which is now most everywhere), but it would be very annoying none the less.

    If you are really bored, you can buy a $10 usb TV tuner, now marketed as a 'software defined radio'. You can then run a program called dump1090, which will directly receive the 1090 MHz transmissions of aircraft transponders in the area. You can then plot these aircraft on a map (if they are broadcasting ADS-B), and see what commercial or civilian aircraft are flying in your area.

    Flightradar24 would like you to send them the data you collect, which they will then display for the world to see:

    https://www.flightradar24.com/...

    Politicians and hoity-toity folks who think they are special can request that the FAA not pass on tracking data to folks like Flightaware and Flightradar24.

    If you receive the transmissions directly from nearby planes, you can track whoever you damn well please, because the only way to prevent it would be for the airplane to turn off it's transponder, which is illegal :) Except for non-civilian aircraft. They have alien technology :-p

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  19. Alphabet soup by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

    So, new SOPs on DOAs from the FAA?

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  20. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by DanDD · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hey bro, I didn't read any of that wiki article except the title and first two sentences. I glanced at some of the pretty pictures though. Dealing with aircraft systems like ADS-B was my day job once upon a time, so I just dug around in my brain for most of it, thus it's rambling and disjointed nature :-p

    I have ADS-B in and out in a plane that I fly as often as I can, and I did a fair amount of the physical install, and worked with a repair station to make it all legal, a few years ago. I think I was one of the first IFR certified ADS-B installs in my state. I chased down the first air to air contact I saw on my first flight with ADS-B. That was a bad idea, turned out to be a Blackhawk helicopter. Up close, they look like flying anger, and they can fly sideways and look at you with intensity.

    ADS-B adoption rates are increasing as my cockpit display is getting gradually more cluttered, and the FAA is likely to simply ground airplanes that don't comply, which I would support. I can see temporary exemptions being issued on a case by case basis. ADS-B brings too much capability to the table, both for pilots and for controllers, to put off any longer. Also, prices are coming down, and the FAA is likely to re-introduce some financial incentives and rebates. Check out the NGT-9000, it's sweet! And for not much more than the price of two new Continental O-470 cylinders, you can have one installed! The install really is easy. The hardest part is tying in to the encoder, so if you haven't already, it's best to upgrade to a serial output encoder. Encoders are cheap, under a kilobuck, below a standard aviation monetary unit! Not many devices going forward are going to keep supporting binary gray code, or so I've been led to believe.

    Sparc up dump1090 on a linux laptop or pi and watch all the stuff flying near you that has ADS-B. Now, if you are in BFE small town, you'll mostly just see airlines and business jets going overhead, but you'll catch a bug smasher now and then. A pi and USB SDR will also receive FIS-B weather very nicely, and send it to your cell phone or tablet via wifi or bluetooth or something. Never tried it, too much cockpit clutter for me. I saw folks at Oshkosh 3D printing cases for a pi, usb sdr and battery for cockpit use one year. Kids and their toys :)

    Similar levels of bitching were encountered when the mode C mandate was issued about the time my existence first became multi-cellular. The world didn't end, and aviation adopted mode C.

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  21. Re:FAA? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

    So what is the situation in the US with vehicle testing?

    In most countries vehicles need to have periodic checks to make sure they are safe and meet emissions standards. If you don't want to get the test done you can only drive on private roads, not public ones. Self built cars are the same, if you want to drive on public roads you have to pass the test.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  22. Re:Here's an idea by andydread · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    I don't know anything about drones and i don't care about drones so lets make it cumbersome and difficult for the people that do
    This mentality by the great unwashed is disturbing but carry on.

  23. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    ADS-B adoption rates are increasing as my cockpit display is getting gradually more cluttered, and the FAA is likely to simply ground airplanes that don't comply, which I would support.

    The FAA will not ground any planes, short of commercial airliners, without ADS-B. The ADS-B requirement only applies in class A, B, and C airspace, the vast majority of airspace under 18,000 feet in the US is class D, E, and G.

    A bit of financial reality for you, an ADS-B install is a LOT of money to most people. It's not a casual drop in the bucket as you seem privileged enough to believe. A $5,000 ADS-B unit plus install is a third to a half of the entire worth of most of my friends planes. Spending $10K on a plane that can be purchased for $20-30K is financially idiotic. It doesn't add much value to the plane on the resale market, it's just a penalty, one most won't pay just to land at Charlie airports and get in the vicinity of Bravo airports (although if you don't have an engine driven electrical system (as the plane I'm building won't), you can still fly underneath class Bravo airspace.) The mode C switchover didn't even come close in price to aircraft value ratio.

    And you can kindly fuck off for supporting grounding planes without ADS-B. It's my airspace too, and I have zero desire for ADS-B tracking.

  24. Re:FAA? by cayenne8 · · Score: 1

    In most countries vehicles need to have periodic checks to make sure they are safe and meet emissions standards. If you don't want to get the test done you can only drive on private roads, not public ones. Self built cars are the same, if you want to drive on public roads you have to pass the test.

    Depends on the state you live in, and what rules they have for inspections.

    It ranges from very strict and PITA in like say, California, to other states where they have no inspection requirements at all.

    I live in LA now...and they do have annual inspections, but it is really nothing more than a revenue generator, they don't really inspect much, just see if your horn works, lights work, windshield wipers, etc.

    I've never lived in a state that requires any type of emissions testing tho...

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  25. Re:FAA? by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

    So what is the situation in the US with vehicle testing?

    Citizens of the USA are permitted to register one (1) custom-built vehicle for use on public roads. It has to have some basic equipment and it has to pass a basic visual inspection, and it smogs (where smog testing is required) as the engine donor. If you initially power it with a pre-smog engine, then you never need to do another emissions test, even in California. Each state's specific rules for the inspection vary; California's are focused on emissions, not safety. Vehicles to be operated on a public road have to have (among other things) a metal floor pan and a glass windscreen.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  26. Re:Here's an idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    > I'm not against enforcing that drone pilots go through such training. Drone pilots should also have to pay for public liability insurance every year just like the aeromodelling pilots are required to do.

    Liability is required for commercial use but not amateur. I have liability on a drone that I use for roof inspections and it's about $600 a year.

    To add to this thought I was surprised at how much I had to learn about airports, reading charts, and airspace in order to get my drone license. Anyone flying a drone really should have to take the test. It was worth it and the material only takes a few weeks to memorize.

  27. Re:An paragliders, paramotors, etc. are unlicensed by Lothsahn · · Score: 1

    That video is amazing!

    --
    -=Lothsahn=-
  28. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    So what is the situation in the US with vehicle testing?

    It's a local issue. Not Department of Transportation.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  29. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    It ranges from very strict and PITA in like say, California, to other states where they have no inspection requirements at all.

    The California inspection requirements are far less of a hassle (and less expensive) than the Texas ones.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  30. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    The DOT doesn't regulate home built cars if you never take them on to public roads, but take it on to public roads, and you have to register it.

    You don't register your vehicle with the Department of Transportation. You register it with the state you live in. It's not a federal issue.

    Maybe your confusion comes from the fact that states have their own little departments of transportation, but that's not what we're talking about here.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  31. Fastest in the country is unusual by definition by raymorris · · Score: 1

    You do realize that the very fastest in country, competing in the unlimited class, are by definition highly unusual, right?

    The average hobbiest runner runs about 8 MPH. The average person slower than that. Usain Bolt goes 28 MPH. Pretending that world record numbers are typical would be pretty silly.

  32. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Maybe not DOT in the Federal sense, but the EPA and state DOTs/DMVs (or whatever they're called) certainly can and do regulate kit cars.

    But that's not what we're talking about here, is it? LynwoodRooster referenced a series of things: FAA, FCC, DOT. All of which are federal.

    States can do what they want. when it comes to regulating home-built cars, whereas federal regulations govern aviation and communications.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  33. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by DanDD · · Score: 1

    Hey bro, I understand your frustration. Aviation is expensive, especially as a hobby, and nobody likes Uncle Sam breathing down their neck.

    And I hate to break it to you, but ADS-B is also required in class E airspace at various altitudes depending on where you are: FAA Nextgen info. These requirements are subject to change, and we all know the FAA regulatory process is pretty much one way, unless congress gets involved. The FAA grounds planes all the time. Every time an FAA licensed IA mechanic inspects an airplane and determines that the airplane isn't airworthy (like, not having required equipment), it's grounded until it's fixed. And don't think you'll be able to squeak through some airspace undetected. If you knew the capabilities available to track and assign target IDs to anything moving, in the air or on the ground, being tracked by ADS-B would be the least of your worries.

    There are much cheaper options for ADS-B than a $5000 radio. However, some use your existing mode C transponder or require an external GPS source, so they have a bit of extra complexity and will be a bit more expensive to install and maintain.

    These cheaper options are not more expensive than the mode C mandate was years ago due to inflation. $500 in 1960 is equivalent to over $4000 today. $500 in 1970 is equivalent to over $3000 today: Inflation calculator

    And sadly, your $20,000 dollar airplane has a $20,000 engine. It's going to need to be rebuilt or replaced eventually, and your friends will only be able to kick the can down the road for so long by replacing a valve or cylinder here and there. Also, your exhaust components don't last beyond a thousand hours or so, so you'll need new stainless steel exhaust parts. And that muffler! You inspect that flame tube frequently, right? No cracks, hasn't broken off and fallen out, right? Mufflers only last a few hundred hours, and they are around $500 to replace. And those aging Marvel Shebler carburetors, not cheap!

    The point is that if you or your friends can't afford to drop $1k every now and then (an aviation standard monetary unit), once or twice a year on maintenance and safety items, then you should probably pick a different hobby. In the grand scheme of things, this isn't terribly different than a nice -ish car that is out of warranty. Timing belts and clutches add up.

    And as for ADS-B allowing the FAA to track everything about who, what, and where you go when you fly: yep, it's kinda creepy. And have you seen what it takes to sign up a new student for flight training?! They almost strip-search new students to prove they are US Citizens or are here legally and have a good reason to learn to fly. 911 changed things bro, in a big way.

    I do not wish planes to be grounded or pilots to not fly as any form of elitism. In fact, I am rather fond of folks flying anything, even drones and quadcopters, as more people responsibly participating in aviation is a good thing.

    And lastly, I am not going to return your ill sentiment, but I will tell you this: you do not have any more of a right to fly or occupy an airspace than you have the right to drive. Flying, just like driving, is a privilege, not a right. Violate that privilege and you'll hurt someone and/or go to jail. And please don't be one of the pilots described in A Darker

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  34. Re:FAA? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

    You're an idiot. ALL vehicles on the road must conform to all FMVSS regulations - and the FMVSS is overseen by the NHTSA, which is part of the DOT. Lights, brake pedal location, turn signal lever, wiper blades, bumper heights - all are regulated by the DOT via the FMVSS.

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  35. Re:FAA? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

    Try to get a license plate without passing FMVSS regulations. Then go talk to the DOT about how you can get past the FMVSS regulations. Good luck.

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  36. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Home-built cars are not subject to FMVSS regulations.

    Are you just going to keep throwing bullshit up against the wall hoping nobody will notice?

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  37. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    You're an idiot. ALL vehicles on the road must conform to all FMVSS regulations

    No, dumbshit. As long as you're not making them to sell, you do not need to conform to all FMVSS regulations to get a car licensed and use it on the roads, and you don't need to conform to NHTSA regulations either (in case that was going to be your next bogus claim).

    Here in California, where dune buggies and crazy home-brew cars rule, the process is easy and does not require anything from the federal government. Yes, you have to have brakes. Yes, you have to have a horn. Yes, you have to have lights. All of the regs are local. None have anything to do with the federal government.

    Now will you please just take the "L" on this and move on? Try to hang on to some shred of dignity, man.

    https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/...

    https://autoweek.com/article/c...

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  38. Re:FAA? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

    Only one per person? That's interesting.

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
  39. Re:FAA? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

    Good luck setting headlights at the wrong height. Or using blue for your tail lights. Or not having wipers. You've never built a custom car, have you?

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  40. Re:FAA? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

    Bzzt. Go ahead, don't put headlights, brake lights, a windshield, or bumpers on your car. Sure you MIGHT NOT get a ticket - but it's illegal. And the Federal Government has the same power to determine that, that it has for the FCC to regulate your pirate radio station. Or who can fly objects in the air.

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  41. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    You've never built a custom car, have you?

    I have a Baja Bug.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  42. Re:Drones are precisely the weapon by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

    Syriasly?

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  43. Re:FAA? by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Only one per person? That's interesting.

    I don't think that's true. Since I built my Baja bug, I've gotten to know a lot of knowledgeable guys at the custom shop and I've never heard them mention a one-per-customer rule.

    In fact, there is a guy on the next street over that has a dune buggy and a giant trike and they both have license plates and he built them both.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  44. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by DanDD · · Score: 1

    Great info, thanks!

    I thought this kind of technique required synchronized clock signals, but I guess GPS time is good enough!

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells
  45. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by dcw3 · · Score: 1

    If you receive the transmissions directly from nearby planes, you can track whoever you damn well please, because the only way to prevent it would be for the airplane to turn off it's transponder, which is illegal

    Nit: Except that not all aircraft are required to have transponders. Here's info from the AOPA...
    Exemptions

    Aircraft not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical system or subsequently have not been certified with such a system installed, balloons, or gliders may conduct operations:

    In the airspace within 30 nautical miles of the listed airports as long as operations are conducted:
    Outside of Class A, B, and C airspace.
    Below the altitude of the ceiling of a Class B or Class C airspace area designated for an airport, or 10,000 feet msl, whichever is lower.
    Above 10,000 feet msl (excluding airspace above the lateral limits of Class B and C airspace).

    --
    Just another day in Paradise
  46. Re:FAA? by dcw3 · · Score: 1

    When did CA stop requiring emissions testing? I sold my '78 Trans Am there in 1979, and had to get emissions tested.

    --
    Just another day in Paradise
  47. Re:FAA? by dcw3 · · Score: 1

    Not interested in who's right here, but came across a related article...
    https://www.caranddriver.com/n...

    --
    Just another day in Paradise
  48. Re:FAA? by cayenne8 · · Score: 1

    When did CA stop requiring emissions testing? I sold my '78 Trans Am there in 1979, and had to get emissions tested.

    I believe CA always does emissions testing.

    I live in LA (Louisiana) and no emissions testing here.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  49. Re:anyone can receive and decode ADS-B data, not T by DanDD · · Score: 1

    A very valid nit. I always forget about those guys, but I have encountered one in congested airspace outside KOSH during the air show. They're ghosts.

    --
    "Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." - H. G. Wells