Not illegal to buy them but illegal to use them - microcopters

I'm with you on this Gene, laying low and playing it cool - all about nature shots for me (the few test shots I just uploaded of ships aside.) I'm going to get as much flying in before the rules get inevitably silly here in Asia. Was hoping to do some flying in the Philippines but they've just introduced draconian rules. Luckily nearby countries OK for now, got my first overseas shoot booked Friday! :)

Get it while the gettin's good. I've learned not to be too shy - be prepared to set up and get up in the air quick, don't go too far, get the shot, get back and move on. But if "draconian" is the rule then maybe not worth the risk.

Better to live freely without legal problems to fly another day - so good luck on your upcoming shoots!

Ya the $10,000 fine was reduced to $1,100 for reckless flying. He argued that the FAA did not have adequate rules or laws in place and therefore the FAA cannot enforce something that was not approved by Congress. So basically he won.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/brendan-schulman-drone-lawyer-114648.html#.VMq9e2jF-So

All wet but he saved his drone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1422579428&v=VsHMjWORFvI&x-yt-cl=85114404

Full story: http://www.geek.com/news/800-quadcopter-records-its-own-near-death-experience-1613154/

Now this is the real threat ...


Remote control AIrcraft

Now that is a very expensive toy.

I posted a waterproof quadcopter (the Mariner) the other day.

Today I want you to take a look at this one. They say they give one away every month.

http://3drobotics.com/iris-plus/

Waterproof is cool. So is the Iris...almost went with 3DR, as they are pretty cool company. Ended up not with them, as I don't want to be limited to GoPro.

Nice to be signed up for a (1:1,000,000) chance for a free quad...

Mine is not only pretty darn good in wind, but after an hour or three by the woodstove, almost snowproof. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZN1pSw2KAU

Cool video. You do not mention what brand you ended up buying.

DRACONIAN PHILIPPINES RULES:

Unmanned Aerial Systems Association of the Philippines, Inc. (UASA) recently saw a copy of the amended MC21-14 of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) from an online source (Google drive of "Tjader Regis" and who is currently not affiliated with UASA). It basically confirmed the changes made by CAAP together with some of our own suggestions last Sept. 14, 2014. We do believe that the new UAV/UAS/RPAS rules satisfies Safety to the General Public, safe airspace integration and at the same time encourages the growth of the UAV Industry. At that time, UASA was not able to obtain a copy of the amended UAV laws because it was not yet signed. In summary, the new UAV Controller Certificate (Pilot) requires the following:

Airmen Radio License
Passed Theories of Flight
Has completed a training course conducted by the UAV Manufacturer - UASA communicated this with CAAP last Sept. 14, 2014 and expressed that it is hard to obtain this from most (if not all) of the Small UAV Manufacturers.
Have at least 5 hours experience
Passed Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations

Also, the new UAV Operator Certificate (Company) for Large UAV requires the following:

Operations Manual or Flight Manual
Command Clearance from the Military (J2 AFP)
UAV Insurance
Special Certificated of Airworthiness and
Certificate of Registration