AIRR proposed rules (goodbye 333's, hello BLOS)

RaptorMan · Feb 17, 2016

As I see it the Inspire 1 in all its variants will not qualify for recreational use as it's more than 3 pounds -- no black dot for small/large (>3 pounds) until you get down to the highest level commercial registrations of cat 3 and cat 4. If that's a correct interpretation then those of us with Inspires will need to get certified as cat 3 or cat 4 in order to fly at all. Am I missing something here?

Brian

PrimeMotivator · Feb 17, 2016

A Phantom would also be over the 3lb limit

damoncooper · Feb 17, 2016

PrimeMotivator said:
A Phantom would also be over the 3lb limit

Actually the Phantom 3 Pro is 1280g or 2.82lb. Obviously well calculated by DJI, as they had a hand in drafting the legislation.

damoncooper · Feb 17, 2016

RaptorMan said:
As I see it the Inspire 1 in all its variants will not qualify for recreational use as it's more than 3 pounds -- no black dot for small/large (>3 pounds) until you get down to the highest level commercial registrations of cat 3 and cat 4. If that's a correct interpretation then those of us with Inspires will need to get certified as cat 3 or cat 4 in order to fly at all. Am I missing something here?

Brian

Good observation. I'm asking in the UAV Legal forum.

Mopar Bob · Feb 17, 2016

RaptorMan said:
As I see it the Inspire 1 in all its variants will not qualify for recreational use as it's more than 3 pounds -- no black dot for small/large (>3 pounds) until you get down to the highest level commercial registrations of cat 3 and cat 4. If that's a correct interpretation then those of us with Inspires will need to get certified as cat 3 or cat 4 in order to fly at all. Am I missing something here?

Brian

This is tuff to figure out. For this chart to make sense to me, there should be a dot on the first line under the Inspire column (greater than 3). Otherwise, it looks like the Inspire can only be used for commercial applications, which is ridiculous. That said, then if I use it for commercial use, then the category 3 rules apply. But what if I use it for search and rescue on a volunteer basis (no pay). Can I do it without a category 3 license? I live in a small town and I have a deal with the fire chief that if he needs to inspect a grass fire, for instance, he can call me. This chart seems to indicate that I couldn't do that any longer.

Is that how others see it?

SixtyMike · Feb 17, 2016

Mopar Bob said:
This is tuff to figure out. For this chart to make sense to me, there should be a dot on the first line under the Inspire column (greater than 3). Otherwise, it looks like the Inspire can only be used for commercial applications, which is ridiculous. That said, then if I use it for commercial use, then the category 3 rules apply. But what if I use it for search and rescue on a volunteer basis (no pay). Can I do it without a category 3 license? I live in a small town and I have a deal with the fire chief that if he needs to inspect a grass fire, for instance, he can call me. This chart seems to indicate that I couldn't do that any longer.

Is that how others see it?

That's how it appears to me as well. No more recreational / hobbyist flights with an Inspire.

I would be ok with having some sort of "certification/training" requirements as a hobbyist to operate UAS above a certain weight limit. Call it a "Private UAS License" issued by the FAA after taking (only) a written test. I realize this idea flies in the face of Section 336 (P.L 112-95), but we as a community need to regulate ourselves and show the general public that we are responsible operators.
If we don't, others will do it for us and we won't like the outcome.

damoncooper · Feb 17, 2016

From Peter Sachs who is pretty familiar with the proposed legislation:

And

"I think you mean greater than 4.4 lbs. But as long as it's under 55 lbs, the recreational operations are covered by 336 (or the new version of 336 if the AIRR Act passes with it as part of it)."

damoncooper · Feb 17, 2016

Full text for anyone interested. The UAV section is pages 196-235.

http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/airr_act_text.pdf

SixtyMike · Feb 17, 2016

damoncooper said:
Full text for anyone interested. The UAV section is pages 196-235.

http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/airr_act_text.pdf

Thanks for posting.

kcobello · Feb 17, 2016

I dont see the 333 going away. It will be part of the paper trail to those that are going through the process of the FAA/DOT enhancing/massaging the arena of Commercial Aerial Photography....

ianwood · Feb 18, 2016

Doubtful the 333 is going away anytime soon. First they have to transition this in (1 year?) and then they need to give 333 holders time to transition as well (another year?).

Outta Control · Feb 18, 2016

kcobello said:
I dont see the 333 going away. It will be part of the paper trail to those that are going through the process of the FAA/DOT enhancing/massaging the arena of Commercial Aerial Photography....

If 107 goes live the 333 will be extinct.

kcobello · Feb 18, 2016

It may be but they will have to give consideration FIRST to the 333 holders....

kcobello · Feb 18, 2016

OR maybe they will give 333 holders, when going for the 107 400' of altitiude without COA and you people that skip the 333 200' and under......

Outta Control · Feb 18, 2016

kcobello said:
It may be but they will have to give consideration FIRST to the 333 holders....

Please explain why should they when a firm and defined ruling is passed. Makes no sense at all.

kcobello · Feb 18, 2016

It makes no sense to have a 333 then,.... just wait for the 107. cant see consideration not being givin to those that are going the 333 route. Its kinda like having a pilots license to control a rig under 10lbs. Its just the way the rules role.

Outta Control · Feb 18, 2016

kcobello said:
It makes no sense to have a 333 then,.... just wait for the 107. cant see consideration not being givin to those that are going the 333 route. Its kinda like having a pilots license to control a rig under 10lbs. Its just the way the rules role.

I agree. I filed for my 333 just in case, for some strange reason, 107 does not happen (which it will mid year), I would at least gone through the long tedious 333 suck feast. Then after that I can burn that 333.

kcobello · Feb 18, 2016

Trust me when I say I am frustrated for all of us. We have spent thousands to work carefully and follow rules to start a business in commercial AP. We have and are jumping through these hoops to try and make some money and others happy with images of their property and yet we are being held hostage by unreasonable altitiude requirements. Im not talking about over 400' or even 200' which we can work with, but this 500' from buildings, structures and yes people. Im not going to fly 10' over a crowd for that matter but these rules have to be reasonable to perform and I think right now they are not. Sorry my little rant...

Outta Control · Feb 18, 2016

I know we all are. Only the folks that are already licensed pilots that fly sUAS are the ones beating their chest about 333.

Reality is the FAA didn't see this coming and just did a knee jerk response into something that should have been dealt with 4 years ago.