Changing rules

Inspired63 · Dec 30, 2020

With the new rules, does it change LOS restrictions, and altitude restrictions?

steve495 · Dec 31, 2020

I would say the short answer is no. The updated regulations refer to flying over people, flying at night and introduces remote ID. They do not change anything when it comes to flying beyond line of sight or flying at higher altitudes. The waiver process would still deal with BVLOS and altitude requests outside normal regs.

R.Perry · Dec 31, 2020

Now how far out can you fly your drone at night and keep line of sight? Until we get transponders drones, they aren't going to give us too much freedom, and that is understandable.

Inspired63 · Jan 1, 2021

My question was mainly about the commercial end, with companies like Amazon, and FedEx, and others who want to start drone deliveries. How can that be accomplished, and still comply with LOS and altitude restrictions?

steve495 · Jan 1, 2021

Inspired63 said:
My question was mainly about the commercial end, with companies like Amazon, and FedEx, and others who want to start drone deliveries. How can that be accomplished, and still comply with LOS and altitude restrictions?

They have been able to apply for BVLOS waivers if they want. Same with altitude, but I do not expect they would need to fly more than 400" AGL.I do not think the new regs deal with either yet ... they need to implement Remote ID first and get that squared away.

Fred Garvin · Jan 1, 2021

The problem with 107.31 waivers is not getting them, but as currently written:

“c) Section 107.31 - Visual line of sight aircraft operation. However, no waiver of this provision will be issued to allow the carriage of property of another by aircraft for compensation or hire.”

So, even if you get a VLOS waiver, you can’t carry any cargo.

Vic Moss · Jan 1, 2021

Inspired63 said:
With the new rules, does it change LOS restrictions, and altitude restrictions?

There is no change to either of those two rules with the new rules.

Larr2000 · Jan 2, 2021

R.Perry said:
Now how far out can you fly your drone at night and keep line of sight? Until we get transponders drones, they aren't going to give us too much freedom, and that is understandable.

Hi Perry,
When I fly night missions, I use the FAA required strobe and reflective markings (tape). I found (weather conditions clear) that the strobe is visible for the limit of 3 miles, but that is at the limit of the size of the strobe. There are not a lot of strobes in the "super light weight" class for our drones.
Larr2000

rkbarms · Jan 3, 2021

Inspired63 said:
My question was mainly about the commercial end, with companies like Amazon, and FedEx, and others who want to start drone deliveries. How can that be accomplished, and still comply with LOS and altitude restrictions?

They won’t need to ‘comply’, because they have DEEP pocket$. Complying is for the wee poeple, you know the ones that actually pay the bills. It’s going to get very interesting when folks starts receiving letters from the FA LA LA LA administration for altitude violations with the links attached, revealing flight telemetry and the associated fine(s) for the said violation(s). Oh and copies forwarded to the local PD. These will not be like the ones for a parking meter violations either.

Vic Moss · Jan 3, 2021

So much wrong with this post. The following is for anyone who reads your post and wants to know the actual truth.

rkbarms said:
They won’t need to ‘comply’, because they have DEEP pocket$.

They most certainly will have to comply. Not with 107, but with Part 135. And deep pockets have zero to do with this. As a matter of fact, they wanted the internet transmission RID requirement. And they lost big time.

rkbarms said:
Complying is for the wee poeple, you know the ones that actually pay the bills.

I'm not sure how you think we pay the bills. At $5 per registration, and only $160 for the initial test (& free thereafter). And the recreational test will be free as well. So we're obviously not paying any bills.

rkbarms said:
It’s going to get very interesting when folks starts receiving letters from the FA LA LA LA administration for altitude violations with the links attached, revealing flight telemetry and the associated fine(s) for the said violation(s).

RID will not be stored, so there is no way for the FAA to send anyone a violation. But at worst, an LEO will show up and possible give you a ticket.

rkbarms said:
Oh and copies forwarded to the local PD. These will not be like the ones for a parking meter violations either.

I honestly have no idea where you came up with this statement. It wreaks of paranoia and/or LEO disrespect.

Everyone needs to take what @rkbarms wrote with a grain of salt. None of what he posted is even close to the truth.

rkbarms · Jan 3, 2021

If RID will not be stored, then why is it imperative that it be tracked, Vic? So we have ‘your’ personal assurance on this, correct? Thank you for your opinion, it can now be deposited in the circular file.

Vic Moss · Jan 3, 2021

rkbarms said:
If RID will not be stored, then why is it imperative that it be tracked, Vic? So we have ‘your’ personal assurance on this, correct? Thank you for your opinion, it can now be deposited in the circular file.

It will be tracked in real time. So people who ignore rules can be found and educated. Or depending on attitude, prosecuted.

And as I mentioned, based on your attitude obvious in your OP, my response was for people who aren't anti-authority. So you can do what you like with my opinion. Which by the way isn't opinion.

rkbarms · Jan 3, 2021

Inspired63 · Jan 4, 2021

My original comment was only concerning, if the same restrictions would apply to delivery companies, which right now is a guess. Personally, I wear a seatbelt, fly below 400', do the speed limit, or close to it, and fly VLOS, and will follow the FAA guidelines to the best of my ability. I love flying, for the hobby, and for my business, and I don't want to screw that up.

Vic Moss · Jan 4, 2021

Inspired63 said:
My original comment was only concerning, if the same restrictions would apply to delivery companies, which right now is a guess. Personally, I wear a seatbelt, fly below 400', do the speed limit, or close to it, and fly VLOS, and will follow the FAA guidelines to the best of my ability. I love flying, for the hobby, and for my business, and I don't want to screw that up.

Delivery companies either have waivers or fly under Part 135. So they will not fall under the same restrictions. And odds are they'll be required to have network based RID as well.