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NASA Flies A Large Drone Solo In Public Airspace

BigAl07

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While this is a little bit larger than our "Phantom" class sUAS this is an example of why we need to know AVIATION rules & regulations because someday, some of us, might need to know how to fly WITH manned aircraft.

I stress this is a bit larger and more complex than our Phantoms but it demonstrates that "Drones/sUAS" are more than just quadrotors by DJI.

NASA has flown a large, remotely piloted aircraft equipped with detect-and-avoid technologies through the national airspace system for the first time without a safety chase plane following it.

NASA says Tuesday’s flight over California moves the U.S. closer to normalizing unmanned aircraft operations in airspace used by commercial and private pilots. (click link below for FULL story and pics)


NASA Flies A Large Drone Solo In Public Airspace - Aviation Buzzword
 
Good for NASA it is interesting they flew from Edwards into the lower central valley.

Here is another one for you, think FAA isn't serious about illegal flights
"
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the largest civil penalty the FAA has proposed against a UAS operator for endangering the safety of our airspace.

The FAA proposes a $1.9 million civil penalty against SkyPan International, Inc. of Chicago. Between March 21, 2012, and Dec. 15, 2014, SkyPan conducted 65 unauthorized drone operations in some of our most congested airspace and heavily populated cities, violating airspace regulations and various operating rules, the FAA alleges. These operations were illegal and not without risk.

The FAA alleges that the company conducted 65 unauthorized commercial UAS flights over various locations in New York City and Chicago between March 21, 2012 and Dec. 15, 2014. The flights involved aerial photography. Of those, 43 flew in the highly restricted New York Class B airspace."

Want to fly illegally, get your checkbook out.
 
After 69 illegal flights you can't claim it was a mistake. Many, in spite of having all the papers in order, are making this type of flight to be able to take forward flights that otherwise would keep them on the ground. They do not do what we do the rest, reject jobs because it is not possible to do them legally.

We'll see how this case ends and others, the sum of $1.9 million is scary, very scary.
 
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Good for NASA it is interesting they flew from Edwards into the lower central valley.

Here is another one for you, think FAA isn't serious about illegal flights
"
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the largest civil penalty the FAA has proposed against a UAS operator for endangering the safety of our airspace.

The FAA proposes a $1.9 million civil penalty against SkyPan International, Inc. of Chicago. Between March 21, 2012, and Dec. 15, 2014, SkyPan conducted 65 unauthorized drone operations in some of our most congested airspace and heavily populated cities, violating airspace regulations and various operating rules, the FAA alleges. These operations were illegal and not without risk.

The FAA alleges that the company conducted 65 unauthorized commercial UAS flights over various locations in New York City and Chicago between March 21, 2012 and Dec. 15, 2014. The flights involved aerial photography. Of those, 43 flew in the highly restricted New York Class B airspace."

Want to fly illegally, get your checkbook out.

Settlement ended up being $200,000 USD, plus they had to work on 3 public safety announcements with the FAA.

Aerial Photography Company Settles With FAA Over Illegally Flying Drones

I agree we need to follow a common framework of rules when operating in the skies. But controlled airspace was designed with manned aircraft in mind. Applying innefficient rules (COA process) to UAS is overly restrictive and stifling innovation and real economic benefits.

We need better regulations and access for UAS in controlled airspace because there is a lot of use for UAS in controlled airspace.

I agree with Gary Mortimer of sUASnews.com, "No GA below 2K"

No general aviation below 2000ft AGL except for things such as medical helicopters, police, take off and landing etc.

There are way too many important uses for that airspace with drones in my opinion.
 

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