Recent content by Topsail Phil

All, As promised, I called two Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) in different states and the FAA in Washington about my contention that UAS pilots should be able to operate VFR in Class E surface airspace. In short, I got shot down (no surprise to many of you!). While all 3 offices...

Bob, it is totally legal for you to fly as described from your house, and no need to call Gun Barrel. There are numerous airports in your area, though, so keep a good lookout for fixed wing aircraft. The onus is always on the UAS operator to see and avoid fixed-wing aircraft, and...

Mike, interesting you picked NAS Fallon as an example. First, my daughter flies F-18s and F-16s out of there. Second, agree you need authorization in the Class D airspace surrounding Fallon. I suspect the requirement for authorization does not extend to the Class E extension because...

Here is another puzzler for you (and me) to consider, and I will call an FAA Flight Standards office on this one, 'cause I'm not 100% sure either. I fly my Cessna out of KOAJ in Jacksonville, NC. It is Class E to surface within 5 NM, with a Class E 700 ft floor transition area around it out...

Big Al, at airports such as the one in question, in Class G airspace, pilots flying fixed wing aircraft are not even required to have a radio. There is no "Notices to Airmen" (NOTAM) system covering the airport, and even if there was, I doubt that a notification of a drone flying nearby would...

Hi Russ! Good to see you here. I have not looked at your 107 course, but bought your Garmin 430 course last year and was real happy with it. I continue to use it as a reference.

Mike, sorry, I should have mentioned that the AC 107-2 was my reference as well. All of us should be familiar with that. It might help stave off some confusion.

Hi, Topsail Phil here, new member. Just got my Part 107 license and a brand new Phantom 4 Pro. Look forward to some good learning here and participating in the forums.

Airspace is a hugely confusing issue. While a newbie to drone flying, I have flown fixed wing aircraft for 47 years now from military, civilian, and foreign fields worldwide, and have recently gotten my Part 107 ticket. My impression is that many drone pilots make airspace a more complicated...