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Drone

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by Fins2010, Jun 11, 2015.

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  1. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    I stand by my comment. Just don't shoot one down if it says Amazon and it's in front of my house.
     
    KTdid, Jun 14, 2015
    #21
    Capricorn1964 likes this.
  2. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    KTdid, Jul 30, 2015
    #22
  3. c.b.

    c.b. New Member

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    Actually, funny you should say that. The entirety of Broadlands is covered by two special restricted air zones. One being the DC Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and the other being the DC Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ). The ADIZ essentially requires any person operating an aerial vehicle (drone/hobby model aircraft) to receive prior approval from the FAA Tower controlling the airspace before flying. The tower at Dulles will not be giving you permission. The FRZ simply says: "The following operations are not authorized within the DC FRZ: Flight Training, Aerobatic Flight, (...), Model Aircraft, (...), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS),... etc etc etc. The circle out from DC for these restrictions passes through most of Loudoun County out to about Leesburg. Violations of these are federal offenses under U.S. Code Title 49.

    So feel free to call the cops when you see a drone. Yeah, the LCSO might not charge the guy but they can certainly make a report to the FAA/DOD about the violation depending upon the location.
     
    c.b., Aug 14, 2015
    #23
  4. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    above poster is wrong, we're not in the FRZ... please don't call the cops needlessly every time you see someone flying an RC aircraft.
     
    boomertsfx, Aug 14, 2015
    #24
  5. c.b.

    c.b. New Member

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    You are correct, my mistake. The FRZ has been restricted since the last time I read the regs (and the ADIZ) but the outer barrier and ADIZ still exist through Loudoun County. That still doesn't mean you can go flying.

    In fact, the new FAA regs ("Special Rule for Model Aircraft") even include a 5-Mile buffer around any FAA controlled airport. That includes Dulles and Leesburg. Specifically: "the statute sets a requirement for model aircraft operating within 5 miles of an airport to notify the airport operator and control tower,where applicable, prior to operating." The neighborhood is question is only 3 or so miles from either Dulles or Leesburg. If you fly without tower authorization (even above your house), you are violating federal law. The new regs are a double dip on the already established ADIZ.

    A good place to check first:

    https://www.mapbox.com/drone/no-fly/
     
    c.b., Aug 14, 2015
    #25
  6. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Myth #3 in this FAA document seems to contradict what was stated above - Am I misinterpreting what the FAA is stating on that page?

    http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=76240&omniRss=news_updatesAoc&cid=101_N_U

    "Flying model aircraft solely for hobby or recreational reasons does not require FAA approval. However, hobbyists are advised to operate their aircraft in accordance with the agency's model aircraft guidelines (see Advisory Circular 91-57). In the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95, Sec 336), Congress exempted model aircraft from new rules or regulations provided the aircraft are operated "in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization."

    The FAA Advisory Circular 91-57 referenced in the paragraph above can be found here: http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/91-57.pdf

    What is interesting about this advisory document is that while it states that model aircraft should be flown below 400 feet and 3 miles away from airports, it clearly states at the very beginning of the document, in Section 1:

    "This advisory circular outlines, and encourages voluntary compliance with, safety standards for model aircraft operators."

    So essentially, the advisory outlines "voluntary' compliance as opposed to formal compliance. This document expressly notes that the FAA has no regulations on them and that following the rules outlined in the document is strictly voluntary. The FAA has recently tried to set the groundwork for the cancellation of AC 91-57, but this has yet to happen as far as I know.

    Long story short, from what I have been able to find, the 3 mile buffer stated by the poster above should be interpreted as a voluntary guideline and not "Federal Law".
     
    Mr. Linux, Aug 15, 2015
    #26
  7. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Capricorn1964, Aug 16, 2015
    #27
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