Drones

[MadMonkey]

And registration is only required if the drone is over 250 grams. The Mavic mini comes in a 249 grams.

But don't you still have to comply with the airspace and altitude rules? And how do you know those if you're flying an unlicensed drone.

As a pilot, I'm concerned about ignorant drone flyers causing a hazard if they fly too high or get in the wrong airspace. There have been reported incidents of near misses and possibly even a few collisions.

My Mavic firmware updates constantly, and the app identifies flying zones by color code and warnings, and I believe in some areas will limit operation in no-fly zones (never been in those zones). Still, I have helicopters fly over at well below my elevation limit (35 miles from airport). Sometimes, a local crop duster does his turnarounds over my property. You typically get enough visual warning in those cases.

That's good to know, thanks. I assume your software then restricts your altitude, etc.

WRT helicopters, they do not have the same altitude restrictions as fixed wing, and over "sparsely populated areas", any aircraft can fly as low as it wants, as long as it stays at least 500 ft from any person or thing. Not smart, but legal.

My DJI is restricted to 500 meters by the software. I am looking into hacking my drone so I can use it to it’s full potential. Videos I’ve seen they will go 12k-13k ft before loosing connection and returning to home. I see the restrictions as buying a Ferrari and the factory limiting it to 80mph. I want the training wheels off.

Yet, isn't that illegal (and irresponsible) - unless you can find a building 12.000 ft tall.

Pfft. I'm flying one at 6,500 feet as we speak.

[oohrah]

Then you must be in the mountains at an elevation of 6,100 ft.

[jmorris]

.......

Pfft. I'm flying one at 6,500 feet as we speak.

Legally?

[jmorris]

As a drone hobbyists and Texas LEO, no you cannot shoot down a drone. You own the property not the airspace above it. Now if someone is flying 15ft above your backyard looking around your property, call the police. If I’m flying 200ft above I assure you my camera zoom isn’t like that of a military predator drone even though my DJI Mavic is a $1k drone.

I know drones have to be registered with the FAA. Do you also have to have a Part 107 license, or is that just for commercial?

You only need a 107 if you’re using your drone to make money as in areal mapping for a surveyor. I fly under the “Hobbyist“ classification. You just need to register your drone with the FAA and have fun.

Hmm, can't find it at the moment but I know I've read that any use that appears commercial, even if not compensated for it, is forbidden for a recreational user. Example given was taking a video for your own business's web site.

[srothstein]

Hmm, can't find it at the moment but I know I've read that any use that appears commercial, even if not compensated for it, is forbidden for a recreational user. Example given was taking a video for your own business's web site.

As I understand it, it is not activity that appears commercial, but activity that is commercially related whether compensate or not. So taking a video for use on a business web site is commercially related even if you are not being directly compensated for it. Taking a video for you own personal use is hobbyist. And the gray area but presumably will be commercial is if you take a video for you personal youtube channel, especially if you get ad revenue from the channel.

[MadMonkey]

Then you must be in the mountains at an elevation of 6,100 ft.

Closer to 5,000

[G.A. Heath]

Then you must be in the mountains at an elevation of 6,100 ft.

Closer to 5,000

If you are flying aa UAS around 6,500 feet ASL with an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet you must be flying illegally, with a waiver of some sort, flying a high end government bird, or something else is going on.

[Keith B]

Then you must be in the mountains at an elevation of 6,100 ft.

Closer to 5,000

If you are flying aa UAS around 6,500 feet ASL with an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet you must be flying illegally, with a waiver of some sort, flying a high end government bird, or something else is going on.

Simulator?

[oohrah]

Then you must be in the mountains at an elevation of 6,100 ft.

Closer to 5,000

Lemme guess - you're TDY at Creech AFB.

[MadMonkey]

Close. I'm contracting in Afghanistan right now