By Luana Shafer, / Published November 30, 2015
The presents have been opened and the wrapping paper placed
in the recycling bin. Tommy is anxious to get outside and fly the new “Invader
700” drone, complete with a 10 times zoom digital camera that sends immediate
videos to your new iPad. Wow, you can’t wait to get out there with him and fly
this thing. We can get to the instructions and safety rules later. Let’s go
flying!
Whoa speed racer! It’s probably a good idea to take some
time to go over the capabilities of your new aircraft, look at some safety
aspects of your operations, and understand the responsibilities you have just
assumed. But this is a toy, right? Wrong. The Federal Aviation Administration
has stated that unmanned aircraft systems are aircraft, not toys.
The Consumer Electronics Association believes 2015 will be a
defining year for the drone, with sales expecting to approach 700,000 this
year. The industry must be selling all of those drones as FAA statistics show a
surge in “close call with drone” reports by pilots of manned aircraft: nearly
700 incidents so far this year, roughly triple the amount recorded in 2014.
Also, the military prefers to call drones “small unmanned aircraft” since they
do not just wander around aimlessly, but are controlled by an individual who follows
(or is expected to follow) FAA established rules.
Maybe we should review some of these rules before the big
day approaches, as you are probably now asking yourself, ”Rules? What rules? Do
they apply to me? What is my liability?” The FAA has partnered with industry
organizations, such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics and American Model
Association, to mirror the rules established by the FAA for the remote
controlled (R/C) modelers. In fact, a local R/C club is a great resource to
explore.
General rules
- Small unmanned aircraft must give way to all manned
aviation activities: airplanes, gliders, parachutists, hang gliders, the
Goodyear blimp, etc. If it flies or glides, it has the right of way.
- The operator must remain within visual line of sight of
the small unmanned aircraft. You can’t control or remain clear of other
aircraft when you can’t see your own small unmanned aircraft.
- Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons
not directly involved in the operation.
The A, B, Cs to start
The FAA divides the national airspace above us into
categories: A, B, C, D, E and G. You can read more about these classes here.
- Class A is 18,000 feet and above sea leve,l and you must
be communicating with the FAA to operate up there. So just remember, Class A is
“above” where small unmanned aircraft should fly.
- Class B/C/D is the airspace around airports and requires
two-way communications with the airport’s tower, so small unmanned aircraft
need to steer clear of these areas. Just remember not to fly within 5 nautical
miles of an open airport/airfield/heliport, military or civilian.
- Class G airspace exists around uncontrolled airports (no
two-way communications), but small unmanned aircraft must still remain clear by
the 5 nautical miles.
And then there is special use airspace (SUA) and military
training routes (MTRs). SUA includes prohibited areas (like the White House),
restricted areas (like military testing ranges), and military operating areas,
which is where the military has hazardous or high-speed operations that will
get you noticed very quickly. MTRs are “highways” in the sky where the military
flies very low and very fast, so it’s smart to stay away from them. You can
check with the local base operations or airfield manager for information on
such activities.
Know before you go
So, where can you fly? A good source of information is your
local R/C club. They’ve studied the rules and scouted the local area for the
best locations to fly your small unmanned aircraft.
If you prefer to go it alone, have fun but do it safely. But
words of caution before you launch the Invader 700 on its maiden flight. If you
become the latest close call and you’re not following the rules, you stand not
only to lose your $1,000 aircraft, but you may be subject to an FAA fine of up
to $27,500 for the most egregious violation.
Military installations
Many military installations have an airport, airfield, or
heliport that requires the 5-mile rule, but for national security reasons small
unmanned aircraft flights are not authorized on or over military installations
unless authorized by the installation commander. Contact base operations, an
airfield manager or a security manager to ascertain safe base operating areas
and other limitations.
Additionally, rethink using Tommy’s unmanned aircraft to
provide security on your next bivouac. The military cannot operate privately
owned small unmanned aircraft during routine business duties.
So, Merry Christmas, Tommy, and we hope you have a great
time with your small unmanned aircraft -- but do so smartly, safely and within
regulations.
Editor’s note: Luana Shafer is a freelance author, editor
and recent graduate of George Mason University. She is the daughter of a
retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.
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