Tag Archives: model aircraft

FAA- New Changes to Recreational Drone Flying in the United States

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Reprinted from the FAA website at – https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/

Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations

You are considered a recreational user if you fly your drone for fun. It is important to know when and where you can fly and how to register your drone.

New Changes to Recreational Drone Flying in the United States

There’s a new law (PDF) that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes. Following these rules will keep you and your drone safe and will help keep the airspace available to everyone.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Register your drone, mark it on the outside with the registration number (PDF), and carry proof of registration with you.
  2. Fly only for recreational purposes.
  3. Follow the safety guidelines of a community based organization.
  4. Fly your drone at or below 400 feet when in uncontrolled or “Class G” airspace. This is airspace where the FAA is not controlling manned air traffic. To determine what type of airspace you are in, refer to the mobile application that operates your drone (if so equipped) and/or use other drone-related mobile applications. Knowing your location and what airspace you’re in will also help you avoid interfering with other aircraft.
  5. Do NOT fly in controlled airspace (around and above many airports) unless:You are flying at a recreational flyer fixed site that has an agreement with the FAA. The FAA has posted a list of approved sites (MS Excel) and has depicted them as blue dots on a map. Each fixed site is limited to the altitude shown on this map, which varies by location.

    NOTE: Flight in controlled airspace is temporarily limited to these fixed fields. The FAA is upgrading the online system, known as LAANC (the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), so that recreational operations can get automated airspace authorizations to fly in controlled airspace. This system is currently only available for certified Part 107 drone pilots.

    NOTE: If your organization is interested in establishing a letter of agreement for a fixed flying site, please contact us at ajt-9-uas-integration@faa.gov.

  6. Keep your drone within your line of sight, or within the visual line-of-sight of a visual observer who is co-located and in direct communication with you.
  7. Do NOT fly in airspace where flight is prohibited. Airspace restrictions can be found on our interactive map, and temporary flight restrictions can be found here. Drone operators are responsible for ensuring they comply with all airspace restrictions.
  8. Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports.
  9. Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people.
  10. Never fly near emergencies such as any type of accident response, law enforcement activities, firefighting, or hurricane recovery efforts.
  11. Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Recreational flyers should know that if they intentionally violate any of these safety requirements, and/or operate in a careless and reckless manner, they could be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties.

Read the Authorization for limited recreational operations as described in section 44809 (PDF). All limited recreational operations should be conducted in accordance with this authorization.

Changes Coming in the Future

The FAA is upgrading the online system, known as LAANC (the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability), so that recreational operations can get automated airspace authorizations to fly in controlled airspace.

The new law also requires:

  1. Drone operators to pass an online aeronautical knowledge and safety test and carry proof of test passage.
  2. The FAA to issue guidance for how it will recognize community based organizations.

The FAA plans to have all of these features and requirements fully implemented by the summer of 2019.

Recreational Drone

DRONE LIGHT SHOW TO ILLUMINATE NIGHT SKY AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DRONE LIGHT SHOW TO ILLUMINATE NIGHT SKY AT EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2018

Up to 100 drones in simultaneous flight in night air shows on July 25 and 28

DRONE LIGHT SHOW – EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (July 5, 2018) — For the first time in North America, a drone light show will be part of an air show when EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 presents up to 100 lighted drones in flight during night air shows on July 25 and 28, creating another “Only at Oshkosh” experience.

The 66th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The night air shows have become a favorite of the weeklong event, featuring a new perspective on the precise flying skills displayed by aerobatic pilots.

The EAA AirVenture demonstrations will mark the first time a lighted drone display is a scheduled part of a North American air show performance. Great Lakes Drone Company, based in Watervliet, Michigan, will be flying their drones and is one of just two U.S. companies authorized by the FAA for such displays.

“EAA and Great Lakes Drone Company worked closely with the FAA to make this pioneering and innovative event possible,” said Dave Chaimson, EAA’s vice president of marketing and business development. “What makes this event especially memorable are the intricate maneuvers that are capable by up to 100 synchronized drones, highlighting the possibilities of safe and responsible drone flying. People come to AirVenture to see aerial excitement not seen anywhere else, and these performances certainly continue that tradition.”

Great Lakes Drone Company has done numerous drones shows as stand-alone highlights at events, but this is the first as part of an air show performance. During AirVenture, the LED-equipped drones will perform a 10-minute “The History of Flight” show complete with musical accompaniment.

“When one thinks of THE place where flying innovation and excitement occur, Oshkosh instantly comes to mind,” said Matt Quinn, president of Great Lakes Drone Company. “That’s why we are so excited about this opportunity to be part of the famed night air shows and perform in front of the tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts on the flightline – a real ‘first’ for the air show community.”

The EAA AirVenture Oshkosh night air shows begin at 8 p.m. on July 25 and July 28, and are included with AirVenture admission. Announced schedules are subject to change based on weather or operational conditions.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

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Drones? Let’s talk drone insurance.

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Let’s talk drones.

Drones, now that you have one what do you do with it? There are only so many videos of your yard or your roof you can take. So you start taking videos for other people, making money by making videos.

Being Paid.  Good idea, but if you are being paid to fly your drone you will be considered commercial by the FAA and the insurance underwriters.

No liability coverage. That means the liability that is included with your home owners insurance or any liability coverage you may have as a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics will not cover your commercial flying.

That’s where we come in.  We have been specializing in the aviation insurance business for over 30 years.

Aviation Insurance Companies. And many of the aviation insurance underwriters are providing coverage for the drone industry (and have been for a number of years).

The basics of drone insurance.

Most important coverage you will need is the liability coverage for property damage and bodily injury.

What is liability? If you cause an accident, or have an accident that damages a third parties property or injures someone, liability is the coverage you will need.

Why do you need it? Often a company that hires you will require you to have liability insurance.

Premiums

Premium averages around $700 for 1 million dollar policy for property damage and/or bodily injury. Lower and higher liability limits are available.

Drone hull coverage. If you need the drone itself insured, I would call that drone hull coverage. As a guideline, drone hull coverage rates average 5% of the equipment’s value with 5% deductibles.

Example – a $3,000 hull value for the drone and camera would be about $150 in premium (plus the liability of $700) for a total annual premium of $850.

Should you buy hull coverage? Whether you buy hull coverage kind of depends on the value of your equipment and what you are willing to risk.  Many opt for the liability only option.

Premiums are average and can change based on the pilots experience, type of drone and how it is used.

Do you need a 333 No you don’t need the 333 Exemption, Part 107 or a pilot license to buy insurance. Although each company has different requirements and those requirements could include additional training, naming a licensed pilot (107 or other), copy of your 333 filing, etc.

Check out my YouTube video here.

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