New FAA Drone Regulations Could Pave the Way for Deliveries

AlphaAtlas

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New Atlas reports that a updated set of regulations proposed by the FAA could make commercial drone delivery systems more viable. Among other things, the new rules would allow drones to fly over people "under certain conditions" or fly at night without obtaining a waiver. Drones would be split into three separate categories based on weight, the exposure of props, and the maximum kinetic energy of a crash, that would dictate their suitability to flying over crowds. The FAA notes that "These amendments would allow expanded small UAS operations and reduce the knowledge testing burden on remote pilot in command certificate holders."

But not all drones owners choose to follow regulations, as evidenced by the recent airport shutdowns in the UK. So, in related news, Alphabet is reportedly working on a remote identification system for drones. Several companies used Project Wing drones to demonstrate their systems, and the The Drone Girl posted an video of one of the competitors.

Check out the video here.

Here’s the idea behind InterUSS: Your drone is connected to software from one of the three Remote ID service providers (ie. Kittyhawk or AirMap). When a concerned citizen or key stakeholder sees a drone nearby, they can pull up an app that interfaces with the InterUSS platform. That person is able to see who's operating near them and a brief summary of what they're doing regardless if they're Wing or an operator using Kittyhawk or AirMap.
 
Commercial operators today dont even follow the simple regulations we have now. Based on followup from the reports I have made about 70% of the commercial operations I see are unlicensed. Note that I generally do not report safe operations so this number could be higher if someone appears to be working within the law but is in fact not.

That doesnt even touch the non commercial stuff which is abysmal with its safety record...
 
You should see the ridiculous Canadian drone regulations which are coming into effect June 1st.

https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/drone-safety/flying-drone-safely-legally.html

You can't fly one if you are under 14 and you have to take a test to get a "drone pilot certificate" and if you want a certificate for "advanced" operations you have to have a flight review.

What's next a drivers test to be able to drive an RC car?
 
You should see the ridiculous Canadian drone regulations which are coming into effect June 1st.

https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/aviation/drone-safety/flying-drone-safely-legally.html

You can't fly one if you are under 14 and you have to take a test to get a "drone pilot certificate" and if you want a certificate for "advanced" operations you have to have a flight review.

What's next a drivers test to be able to drive an RC car?

Curious as to what you find ridiculous about this. It looks very reasonable to me.

There is a huge difference between an RC car and a drone. I think you are equating drones to RC cars in your mind and not seeing the larger picture. Most commercial drone operators arent messing around with little RC planes. They are using things that have some serious weight and power to them.
 
Curious as to what you find ridiculous about this. It looks very reasonable to me.

There is a huge difference between an RC car and a drone. I think you are equating drones to RC cars in your mind and not seeing the larger picture. Most commercial drone operators arent messing around with little RC planes. They are using things that have some serious weight and power to them.

Yeah we have a big one at work for “security”. My prediction is it crashes and kills someone before it ever does anything beneficial for “security”.
 
Just what I want, a drone carrying my $500 graphics card through the air at 500 feet over busy streets and people with B.B. guns.

Has anyone played the new CS:GO Battle Royal mode ? Basically a major tactic is to track the drones location to find your loot and your enemy.

People don't have to shoot them down, they can just track them in vehicles and collect the stuff from people's door step.
 
Has anyone played the new CS:GO Battle Royal mode ? Basically a major tactic is to track the drones location to find your loot and your enemy.

People don't have to shoot them down, they can just track them in vehicles and collect the stuff from people's door step.

Or interfere with signal to trigger a safety mechanism. Or blind their sensors forcing them to land...etc etc.
 
Curious as to what you find ridiculous about this. It looks very reasonable to me.

There is a huge difference between an RC car and a drone. I think you are equating drones to RC cars in your mind and not seeing the larger picture. Most commercial drone operators arent messing around with little RC planes. They are using things that have some serious weight and power to them.

In the small city I live in (123k) we have a highly active RC plane club. What I find ridiculous is that unless your RC plane is over 77lbs then: "Model aircraft are excluded from the vast majority of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) that are applied to other aircraft". By the way, if your drone is between 55lbs and 77lbs it does not fall into either the new drone regulations or the SFOC certificate, So like I said ridiculous.
 
It is interesting that they have opened them up for flying at night. I suspect most people would not appreciate drones buzzing around while they are trying to sleep.
 
Or interfere with signal to trigger a safety mechanism. Or blind their sensors forcing them to land...etc etc.

Get knife from cupboard, jam into open microwave door, set power to maximum, aim at drone = profit ?

i have no idea if this would work and im not going to try :LOL:
 
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In the small city I live in (123k) we have a highly active RC plane club. What I find ridiculous is that unless your RC plane is over 77lbs then: "Model aircraft are excluded from the vast majority of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) that are applied to other aircraft". By the way, if your drone is between 55lbs and 77lbs it does not fall into either the new drone regulations or the SFOC certificate, So like I said ridiculous.

So the entire regulation is ridiculous because it didnt cover between 55 and 75lbs? If they fixed that youd be ok it with? Have you pointed this out to the CAA? The FAA is really good about these types of comments and I have heard similar good things about the CAA.
 
So the entire regulation is ridiculous because it didnt cover between 55 and 75lbs? If they fixed that youd be ok it with? Have you pointed this out to the CAA? The FAA is really good about these types of comments and I have heard similar good things about the CAA.
You missed the part where I stated that RC planes under 77lbs have zero regulation and yet drones up to 55lbs are going to be highly regulated.
 
You missed the part where I stated that RC planes under 77lbs have zero regulation and yet drones up to 55lbs are going to be highly regulated.

No, its just incorrect as far as I can tell. Can you point to your source?

"The regulatory amendments will remove the terms “unmanned air vehicle” and “model aircraft.” They will be consolidated and replaced with the term “remotely piloted aircraft system.”"

Source: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-01-09/html/sor-dors11-eng.html
 
When a concerned citizen or key stakeholder sees a drone nearby, they can pull up an app that interfaces with the InterUSS platform. That person is able to see who's operating near them and a brief summary of what they're doing regardless if they're Wing or an operator using Kittyhawk or AirMap.


when i read that the first thing that came to mind is someone who really doesnt like drones using said app to track and hunt down drones in the area

and as for all the regulations.. is always the asshats in any group that ruin it for people in general.

and with those using drones to shutdown the airports in the UK.. well expect a WHOLE lot more regulations coming
 
No, its just incorrect as far as I can tell. Can you point to your source?

"The regulatory amendments will remove the terms “unmanned air vehicle” and “model aircraft.” They will be consolidated and replaced with the term “remotely piloted aircraft system.”"

Source: http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-01-09/html/sor-dors11-eng.html

Model Aeronautics Association Of Canada (MAAC)

MAAC works in close cooperation with Transport Canada which is supportive of our hobby. Transport Canada has published advisory material that provides general guidance and safety practices for operators of model aircraft. The MAAC Safety Code provides a generally acceptable alternative set of safety practices. All model aircraft operators should be familiar with the applicable Transport Canada guidance material and the applicable sections of the MAAC Safety Code. Any questions with regard to the safe and legal operation of your models should be addressed to your zone director or to MAAC head office.


Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
Model aircraft are excluded from the vast majority of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) that are applied to other aircraft. However, model aircraft with a maximum take-off weight in excess of 35 kg (77 lbs) require a special flight operations certificate (SFOC) to operate. MAAC and Transport Canada have worked cooperatively to develop a simplified application process for large models. A basic template has been developed for this purpose. Please contact your regional office to obtain an application form. You can find the one closest to you by going to the link below.
 
There is a huge difference between an RC car and a drone. I think you are equating drones to RC cars in your mind and not seeing the larger picture. Most commercial drone operators arent messing around with little RC planes. They are using things that have some serious weight and power to them.

That's not actually true. "Commercial drone operators" is a VERY broad term. It covers anything from large industrial uses to a real-estate agent using a DJI spark to capture some areal photos of a house they are selling. For regulatory purposes, any drone used "in furtherance of a business" is considered commercial and anything over 250 grams (.55 pounds) commercial or not, fall under FAA rules and regulations. The vast majority of "commercial drones" aren't the big heavy drones, but stuff under 4 pounds.

All that said, it makes sense to work on regulations to take into account heavier drones for delivery services, etc. As long as it doesn't place undue difficulty for hobbyist or commercial operations using smaller drones. What is appropriate for a 55+ pound drone is not necessarily appropriate for a 10 ounce DJI Spark or a 3 pound DJI Phantom 4 Pro.
 
I'm sure surveillance drones will follow right after the package drones since they'll have traffic to blend into.
 

It would seem that their information is out of date when considered in conjunction with the link I provided in my previous post.

That's not actually true. "Commercial drone operators" is a VERY broad term. It covers anything from large industrial uses to a real-estate agent using a DJI spark to capture some areal photos of a house they are selling. For regulatory purposes, any drone used "in furtherance of a business" is considered commercial and anything over 250 grams (.55 pounds) commercial or not, fall under FAA rules and regulations. The vast majority of "commercial drones" aren't the big heavy drones, but stuff under 4 pounds.

All that said, it makes sense to work on regulations to take into account heavier drones for delivery services, etc. As long as it doesn't place undue difficulty for hobbyist or commercial operations using smaller drones. What is appropriate for a 55+ pound drone is not necessarily appropriate for a 10 ounce DJI Spark or a 3 pound DJI Phantom 4 Pro.

Fair enough - I was intentionally leaving the smaller operators out since the majority of focus has been on large drones in the media. But if you want to talk about those the vast majority of those (from my perspective) are actually NOT following the regulations. Every single realtor/insurance/inspector et al I have seen use a small drone (over .55lbs) has not had the appropriate training or licensing to operate. Not a single one out of about 20 or so I have seen operate in my area.
 
Any aircraft flying low over my home bothers me. The idea of drones buzzing all over is not appealing. At all.
The minute my peace and quiet neighborhood is buzzing with drones is the minute I move far away from society.
 
I'm sure surveillance drones will follow right after the package drones since they'll have traffic to blend into.

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The future is here now Citizen.
 
It would seem that their information is out of date when considered in conjunction with the link I provided in my previous post.



Fair enough - I was intentionally leaving the smaller operators out since the majority of focus has been on large drones in the media. But if you want to talk about those the vast majority of those (from my perspective) are actually NOT following the regulations. Every single realtor/insurance/inspector et al I have seen use a small drone (over .55lbs) has not had the appropriate training or licensing to operate. Not a single one out of about 20 or so I have seen operate in my area.
Oh... I mostly agree. While I don't have numbers, I would expect a portion of these businesses see a low cost drone as a cheap way to get the job done and don't even think about FAA regs. If they do, they probably take a, "but they can't mean me attitude" for what they are doing. On the other hand, I'm not so sure that some really should have to. In a public place, around people, in airspace that could have other traffic? Absolutely. On Private Property, under 50 feet AGL to take some shots of a house you are selling, or to inspect a roof or gutters? That I don't think should really be needed as it's not causing any safety issues. I can understand why some may not bother.

I personally do zero commercial work, but I am a drone hobbyist and will eventually get my part 107 when I feel motivated enough.
 
Oh... I mostly agree. While I don't have numbers, I would expect a portion of these businesses see a low cost drone as a cheap way to get the job done and don't even think about FAA regs. If they do, they probably take a, "but they can't mean me attitude" for what they are doing. On the other hand, I'm not so sure that some really should have to. In a public place, around people, in airspace that could have other traffic? Absolutely. On Private Property, under 50 feet AGL to take some shots of a house you are selling, or to inspect a roof or gutters? That I don't think should really be needed as it's not causing any safety issues. I can understand why some may not bother.

I personally do zero commercial work, but I am a drone hobbyist and will eventually get my part 107 when I feel motivated enough.

I dont mind most of the under 50ft AGL work MOST of the time. But I do abhor the lack of understanding of the regulations. On one occasion I spotted a drone operating near an airport when I was landing - not close enough for me to divert but close enough for me to have to keep a special look out for it. I went and talked to the realtor who was shooting pictures of the property for sale. No license and no understanding of why it was dangerous that his drone was hovering near the end of the runway. He was just utterly clueless and was actually pissed at me for even talking to him about it.

Yeah I reported that arsehole. I wouldnt have if he wouldve just shown some care and said he would at least read the regulations and be aware of where he was operating....
 
I dont mind most of the under 50ft AGL work MOST of the time. But I do abhor the lack of understanding of the regulations. On one occasion I spotted a drone operating near an airport when I was landing - not close enough for me to divert but close enough for me to have to keep a special look out for it. I went and talked to the realtor who was shooting pictures of the property for sale. No license and no understanding of why it was dangerous that his drone was hovering near the end of the runway. He was just utterly clueless and was actually pissed at me for even talking to him about it.

Yeah I reported that arsehole. I wouldnt have if he wouldve just shown some care and said he would at least read the regulations and be aware of where he was operating....
Man, I wish more people had common sense. They just don't. It's guys like this that ruin it for everyone. No one should be working THAT close to an active runway commercial or not.

I take it, that it wasn't an airport with a tower? Being that close to a runway shouldn't have even allowed them to fly in a Class D (assuming it was the usual DJI drone). Having a Private Pilot ticket, I'm extremely cautious about air traffic. I always carry the latest sectional for where I am flying and I am always looking for low flying traffic even though I rarely take my drone above 150 ft. I have also made point to steer new drone pilots interested in making money towards the 107. I try to instill the fear of huge potential fines for not complying.
 
Man, I wish more people had common sense. They just don't. It's guys like this that ruin it for everyone. No one should be working THAT close to an active runway commercial or not.

I take it, that it wasn't an airport with a tower? Being that close to a runway shouldn't have even allowed them to fly in a Class D (assuming it was the usual DJI drone). Having a Private Pilot ticket, I'm extremely cautious about air traffic. I always carry the latest sectional for where I am flying and I am always looking for low flying traffic even though I rarely take my drone above 150 ft. I have also made point to steer new drone pilots interested in making money towards the 107. I try to instill the fear of huge potential fines for not complying.

Yes uncontrolled airport located under some B airspace. If we was on the other side of the highway he woudlve been in the B surface area...didnt seem to give two shits about that either.
 
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