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

The change is already stipulated in item 10 of the referenced Waiver
"The PIC (pilot in control) must possess at least a private pilot certificate and at least a current third class
medical certificate. The PIC must also meet the flight review requirements specified in 14
CFR § 61.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his/her pilot certificate."

Drones not safe down under.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFWUlObSgn0

So in theory the time will come in SS and P5 that they may required a sworn affidavit from the artist stating that he has his permits up to date and that affidavit must specify the name of the certified pilot and the FAA permit number for all aerial drone shots taken within USA. If you have a press ID, that will not be enough.

In the meantime those shooting for recreation can do how they please. Here in P5 some artist will tattle-tale on other artist. So if I fly a drone through the mountains of Puerto Rico I have to upload the footage and say it was shot in Dominican Republic or South America. Those in USA will have to say that the aerial footage is from Europe or Canada.

The potential good news is that with all these requirements clip cost must go up, way up. $500+ per clip.

http://news.yahoo.com/congress-likely-key-decisions-drones-100106590.html

I like the pilot's quote about so many "near misses". Wouldn't that mean they actually hit and didn't miss? Perhaps they should state "near hits". ;)

This has turned into such a joke. All that was needed was enforce the same rules as AMA. There have been thousands of RC helicopter, glider and aircraft flying for decades. A quad is absolutely no different. It's just a way of bureaucrats making it look like they are doing something. So I guess if I fly my hang-glider and carry a camera I need all that BS FAA licensing? No licensing required for hang-gliders and para-gliders. I've stayed airborne under a non-powered hang-glider for over 6 hours and have flown well over 10,000 feet elevation. This is hilarious and completely unenforceable.

And yes Andy, while flying the F-4 Phantom I had a lot of "near hits" with licensed civilian pilots. Most of them have little training and have no idea of flight rules and regulations. A license will not make quad flyers any safer and drone flyers are just that ... Flyers and definitely not pilots!

Correct " . A license will not make quad flyers any safer ..." In the U.S. the pilot license requirement for commercial work is just a way for the government to shut down all but the big money players. Two years from now there I doubt if there will be more than 1000 certificates issued to fly. That number is manageable by the government.

That's pure conjecture Mark.

!) The FAA hasn't the man power to enforce it's rule. 2) With the number of these units in the hands of the general public already no government agency will be able to control it. 3) Sadly but true there are to many individuals flying UAV's that follow no rules except one how high and far can it be flown.

The best that can be controlled or regulated is AMA rules. Anything above that will be completely unenforceable like the old CB radio license fees. A pilot license would be the biggest joke in the world. Maybe a simple license and stricter rules for any remote controlled aircraft that weighs over 20 pounds. It will be impossible to regulate small quads weighing less than 5-10 pounds. Think of it this way. A person can legally fly an ultralight aircraft that weighs less than 250 pounds with absolutely no training, no insurance and no license. It's all hype when there is a low news day.

The FAA missed their deadline. No real leadership.