PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I've been considering a drone for a couple years. "All the cool guys have one." I'm getting ready to make the purchase, so in the meantime while I research the options I'm going to go ahead with the Part 107 Certificate. A certificate is not needed unless you "commercial use" but since anyone operating a drone liable for proper operation, it makes sense to learn the details.

I'll post notes of what I am learning about the process on this thread over (what I expect to be) the next few weeks.

If this is a repeat of something posted elsewhere on UHH please let me know. I looked through the archives and didn't see anything specifically about studying for, requirements of or details of the certificate.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

Good idea to get your sUAS license from the FAA! Can't learn too much about the product you want to use. Having said that, be prepared to learn a ton of stuff you are never, ever going to use while flying whatever drone you decide to purchase. You basically are going to be taking a full blown private pilot licensing exam.....minus the flying part of course.....😎

Be interested to hear what device you decide to purchase and why you made the choice.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Thanks for commenting mrjcall! My g/f and I had the same conversation last night.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Having started this project, must reevaluate the effort/reward aspect. The certificate is only required to be legal while in a commercial effort. The only advertised drone guy in the region has almost no income. His advertised rates are $25/ten minute flight to produce 5 photos. For $29 he adds 5 more photos and a 1 minute video. He indicated that this is half off from his list price. More to follow.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Maybe just learn the legal and procedural stuff and go have fun.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Considering that I'm retired... If there were a huge market for drone media that might be a fun way to spend time. The odds and ends of insurance photos and document deliveries that I do pay about $20/hr. No need to work for peanuts.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Some interesting sites: www.dronelife.com

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

www.dronegirl.com has already broken out many of the steps to certification.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Here is link to my notes about resources found this week.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f-I-egmtkuMhOX7lUoBaoxAGyUeP-YjWFBr3hjGYEIQ/edit?usp=drivesdk

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I spent most of the last few days exploring where to begin, available classes, signing up for AEOP and FFA. All free thus far. Got into the FAA basic training. Mostly legal basics and operating requirements. Interesting stuff. Anything you can do up to 100mph under 400' should be fun!

GeneV Loc: Lampasas, Texas

Keep in mind that the final test costs $125.00 and if you don't pass, a re-test costs another $125.00.

Back when I started flying my drone it was fun. Then the dumb-dumbs got into the act and just about ruined it for everyone. The restrictions on where and when you can fly are really constraining. But the "DDs" don't care.

mrjcall Loc: Woodfin, NC

You've put your finger on what is, in the end, perhaps the most important element confronting drone owners right now.... the prohibitively restrictive rules regarding where one can actually use their drone. There are so many 'don'ts', that it is actually almost impossible to find a place to fly legally in the US. Getting far away out in the country is a possible solution, but that takes time AND, when you arrive in the country, it invariably is owned by someone that doesn't want drones flying on their property.

As I said in an earlier post, all Federal/State parks are off limits (would you want a dozen drones buzzing over your head if you were on your once in a lifetime visit to a national park like Yellowstone?): Flying over ANY people is prohibited: Flying over commercial/residential property is prohibited (without written permission): Flying out of line of sight is prohibited: Flying within 5 miles of an airport is prohibited and on and on.

I've stopped at various locations along the BlueRidge Parkway near where I would love to get some aerial images/footage, but it's prohibited. So, what does one do, 'carefully' break the rules, ignore them altogether as most who currently own drones do? That might work for a while, but the only solution is for there to be some sort of compromise on the FAA rules to make it more accessible. But, then you get back into the privacy/safety issues again. I don't know the answer except maybe to move offshore to an island.....😉

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Current fee is $150. See current FAA FAQ page https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/#krp

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I haven't found any documentation abour restrictions to flying over private property. From what I can tell the FAA is silent on that. Here's an article from Drone Guru:

FAA Rules on UAV Operation

FAA is charged with the responsibility of coming up with laws that govern the use of UAVs. On the 21st of June, 2016, FAA released an Advisory Circular detailing the amendments to its regulations to adopt rules for the use of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in the U.S. airspace. The Advisory offers guidelines for conducting sUAS operations in accordance with title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Where and When to Fly UAVs

The circular stipulates a lot of rules regarding the operation of UAVs. Listed below are the particular limitations touching on where and when one should operate a UAV.

Can only be operated during daytime or civil twilight while with appropriate anti-collision lighting.
Should only be operated up to a maximum of 400 feet above the ground level. If operated from a structure, it should be within 400 feet of the structure
Should not be operated from moving aircraft
Should not be operated from a moving vehicle unless it’s being operated over sparsely populated areas.
The UAV should only be operated when weather visibility is of 3 miles from the control station.
With an ATC permission, it can be operated in class B, C, D and E airspace.
Can be operated in class G airspace even without ATC permission.
While in operation, the UAV must remain Visual-Line-Of-Sight.

What About Flying Over Private Property?

A close study of the Circular brings forth the fact that there is no mention of limitations of flying over private property. Where does this leave homeowners whose properties do not lie within the restricted airspace? Are they able to claim any property right on the space surrounding their property? These are some of the questions the circular left unanswered.

In a bid to seek clarity, TechCrunch consulted Thomas Gemmell on the matter. Thomas is a former U.S Air Force fighter pilot. He is also a co-leader of Huch Blackwell’s drone team.

Thomas also affirmed that it’s not clear as of the moment whether one is allowed to fly a drone over private property. He, however, emphasized that FAA owns the aerospace individuals cannot claim ownership.

This means that one cannot deny or grant permission over their aerospace. All is not lost, though, he confirmed that one could base their complaints on grounds that;

The drones are causing a nuisance
They are being flown recklessly
They are violating the state privacy law

He further explained that if the plane lands or takes off from the property without operation, the operator can be sued for trespass. He concluded by confirming that there are local laws that prohibit the operation of UAVs over cities. He, therefore, urged drone operators and aggrieved parties to familiarize themselves with the laws governing their area.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

That being said... I live in a pretty rural area. The FAA B4Ufly app shows that my house is at the edge of 5 miles from the Marion Airport and that there are many heli-ports locally, for hospitals, fire companies and some private airfields. Once I'm a couple miles from the house, there's nothing but cornfields.