FAA 2014-0396- interpretation of new rule for Model Aircraft

[njswede]

It looks like the FAA finally posted those model aviation guidelines they've been talking about. Nothing too surprising there. In summary: "Follow AMA guidelines! Don't be a douche! Have fun!"

http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/uas/model_aircraft_operators/?cid=TW224

 

[aronph]

I hate to bring this up but....

"Don't fly model aircraft for payment or commercial purposes"

Wouldn't that mean its against the rules to be sponsored or paid?

 

[hone]

Or how about when horizon hobby releases those cool new product videos with their new plane flying. Aren't all those flights for commercial purposes?

 

[njswede]

I hate to bring this up but....

"Don't fly model aircraft for payment or commercial purposes"

Wouldn't that mean its against the rules to be sponsored or paid?

I don't think that's going to be a problem. What they're after are people using sUAVs for surveillance etc. I have a friend of a friend who's defending some of those guys who got sued by the government a wile ago. I'll ask him next time I get a chance. But commercial use of sUAVs has always been illegal in the eyes of FAA, so I can't imagine this will change much.

 

[njswede]

It doesn't look good for FPV, though. Looks like goggles just became illegal...

 

[3dNater]

Where does it say goggles are illegal?

 

[njswede]

Page seven of the interpretation document. It also bans aerobatic demonstrations for money.

 

[gyro]

Page seven of the interpretation document. It also bans aerobatic demonstrations for money.

Would a noon flight-demo at an event with a raffle constitute "for money"?

 

[njswede]

...so I think Aron is right. Team pilots who get paid to appear in a flight demo video are now required to have some kind of license.

 

[njswede]

Would a noon flight-demo at an event with a raffle constitute "for money"?

probably not, since the raffle isn't connected to the demo. It would surprise me a lot off the FAA would send inspectors to fun flys... Also, don't most team pilots get paid in free or discounted stuff?