tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Look closely at the flag at the bottom just to the right of center. The wind was howling and yet, the the drone held perfectly still. It was in "sport" mode, which is a medium setting for flight speed and steadiness. It had no problem going upwind either.

(Download)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I've been pleased with the wind capacity of the cheaper DJI Mini 2. It is a shame that many in the USA want to ban them!

Are you operating under TRUST or Part 107?

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Just TRUST. I thought for awhile that I would have to go with part 107 because I use it at work, for work. I found out that since I am only using it as though it was a Kodak or Panasonic or Canon etc... as part of my job and not for any commercial or financial gain, part 107 does not apply to me. It is kind of funny in that when I am actually using it for work, I don't think I ever go higher than 15ft. I don't need to. However, I normally have to walk great distances, so the drone saves me time and wear & tear on my old body.

Another funny thing is that those of us in the field were at one time issued Nikon D750's for our photography needs. Then somehow the upper echelon executives wives found out about them and they were taken away and we were issued pocket cameras. I am not joking. We also found out that these same wives now had their own Nikon D750's. The big insult came when we had a company outing at the Kansas City Zoo and sure as shit, 5 of the executives wives had Nikon D750's. We were pissed!!! we got a close look at them and they were all set on "auto".

This all happened right before smart phone cameras evolved into halfway decent photo takers. Oh, and we in the field now have smart phones, but they really suck all the way around; especially their ability to take a quality photo. Extremely low end.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"I thought for awhile that I would have to go with part 107 because I use it at work, for work. I found out that since I am only using it as though it was a Kodak or Panasonic or Canon etc... as part of my job and not for any commercial or financial gain, part 107 does not apply to me."

With due respect, the FAA does not agree with you. I've been studying the system for the last three months so that I could pass the test.

Trying to make this short, Congress "reauthorized" the FAA in 2018. The act assigned the FAA with a bunch of new duties including drone regulation. But congress did something unusual. They protected the kids (and grownups) with model airplanes of all types. They "carved out" an exception for those that fly their toys strictly for fun.

In FAA speak: "The Exception for Limited Operation of Unmanned Aircraft (USC 44809) is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes." Rule 1 is: "Fly only for recreational purposes (enjoyment)."

If the intent at takeoff is to do something for someone else, it goes beyond recreational fun and the FAA requires you to have a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The word "commercial" is not in their system. It is not about money or other compensation.

The reality might be that the vast majority of drone owners don't care about the FAA and ignore them. Various guesses suggest there might be many millions of drones sold in the USA and only about 260,000 certificates have been issued. Does that mean compliance is 5% or less?

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Very good. I was considering getting a part 107 anyway. I read it as not receiving any compensation; which I don't. I also registered my R.C. aircraft a long time ago so that I may fly at A.M.A. sanctioned fields. I have no problem with complying. I am also going to ask some one I know just what is what with how I use my drone at work. I probably already know the answer after reading what you have written. Like you, it will be a few months before I am ready to take the test. I do have the $300.00. Yay. I just wish people would consider safety, common sense and respect for others when flying drones. We both know how that one goes. Thank you very much for your input.

Tom

TonyBot

As I understood the law and 107 rules - even if using it at/for work was for your own convenience (i.e. rather than walk a mile into the woods with a company owned camera) it *is* commercial use. Ditto, for >8 ounces.

And, as far as enforcement, my personal adage has always been: "If anyone's gonna get caught, it's me"!

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

It is definitely for my own convenience. No question about that. I am going to ask some one I know (an FAA person). I am not worried about weight with my mavic mini. The Air 2s on the other hand...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Perhaps "commercial use" is an FAA tradition and distinction from manned airplanes where there are "Student", "Private" and "Commercial" ratings.

The FAA drone rules are entirely different. The FAA says that all drone operations are to be conducted under "Part 107" that requires a "Remote Pilot Certificate".

Except for one single exception. If the intent of operating the unmanned aerial vehicle is for recreation, it can be done without the Remote Pilot Certificate. The FAA's words are, "A recreational flyer is someone who operates their drone for fun or personal enjoyment purposes only."

It is not 8 ounces. The FAA uses 250 grams or .55 pounds. It is not a big difference, but there are a few consumer drones that weigh in at a few grams less. It is true that they don't have to be registered but only when strictly used for recreation. As soon as the intent includes some other purpose all drones of any weight must be registered.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

A lot of people probably don't pay attention or care, but the FAA does a good job of explaining what they expect here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

That is why I like the DJI mini. The weight is stamped right on its' side. Now it sounds as if we are splitting hairs. Since I have the TRUST (which is a joke by the way), I shall continue flying around during snowstorms and when it is not snowing and perhaps on a clear day, I will have fun and I will even fly at night in safe areas. Of course I will stay in public areas and I do research where drones are, and are not permitted. We have a few of those places around here. What I find interesting is that there is a town just to the east of mine that outlawed drones of any kind. Here is the funny part; Lawsuits have been filed fighting this ordinance. I really don't care.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"I have the TRUST (which is a joke by the way)"

Don't shoot the messenger! I agree. I think the FAA is failing miserably. Congress told the FAA to manage the sky, keep it safe and encourage both innovation and commerce.

Business publications suggest that USA consumers spent $1.25 billion on drones in 2021. If you assume the average drone is about $1200, there were about 10 million drones purchased in 2021 alone, most made by Chinese companies. The FAA reports there are about 260,000 Remote Pilot Certificates issued.

That means that compliance is around 5%, all the innovation and business is in China and headlines routinely report unsafe incidents.

On top of that, the Remote Pilot Certificate is only a written test. To pass it you study a mass of traditional aviation knowledge that is largely meaningless to drone operators.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

Yeah, it is so funny. First off, I probably have a dozen toy drones laying in a pile behind me as I am typing this. And yes, most of the stuff I read in part 107 has absolutely no relevance to a drone pilot. Oh, well.
Let me digress for just a moment. I read an article in the news yesterday about (yes, once again) laser pointers and commercial aircraft. In the article there was a bar graph showing the # of incidences reported by year over the last 5 years. This # shows a significant increase in 2021. Maybe we need to regulate laser pointers. I tried to retrieve this article for you but I can not seem to find it.



Anyway, I am about to make another post of the snow storm we had here last week. I hope it will be interesting to look at. I will make another one in the main photography section also.