[NSRCA-discussion] FAA Registration begins December 21

[John Gayer]

In looking over all the pertinent FAA documents a few things became 
apparent.

1) The FAA is not clear on the definitions of Model Aircraft, sUAS, UAV 
and drones. In places they intermix them even in the same sentence. 
Other places there is an attempt to distinguish between them.

Solution:
Set back down with the user groups and get clean definitions for each of 
these, then insert the definitions in each of their documents and get 
the right definitions in place so their intent is clear.

2) The FAA is concerned with use and misuse of the NAS. They are not 
concerned with terrorism.


3) The FAA is attempted to control all hobbyist unmanned aircraft by 
size alone. It should assess by capabilites. Right now controlline and 
dethermalized freeflight should be registered if they meet the weight 
requirement. The 55 pounds seems to be arbitrary and lifted from the AMA 
where it was also arbitrary.

Solution:
Keep the weights if desired although I see both 250 grams and 55 pounds 
in documentation. need some consistency in units here. The 250 should go 
up to 500 grams so most park flyers would be exempt. The main change is 
to separate out UAVs by control system

Category 1(definition of model aircraft):
All controlline and freeflight UAVs with only dethermalizer control, 
Radio-controlled UAV without autoflight functions or FPV. Stability 
functions are OK. Upper weight limit is 55 pounds.

Category 2:(definitions of basic sUAS)
UAVs with basic autopilot capability. Can fly heading hold or select, 
altitude hold or select, auto-speed control etc. no FPV. Also includes 
category 1 over 55 pounds

Category 3(definition of where the problem is-sUAS)
UAVs with full autoflight including return to home. Can have the ability 
to fly a pre-programmed route to a remote point and return. Can have FPV.


Category one would not seem to need a registration of any kind. They are 
only flown by skilled hobbyists within short line of sight( except for 
freeflight).
Category two is not really a problem to the outside world but pilot 
registration would not be a big deal
Category three is where we find UAVs flying in the NAS and causing 
heartburn for the FAA. Registration required. As far as I'm concerned, 
make it by UAV and pilot.

As I said at the top, the FAA is not an anti-terrorist organization. 
Just wait until Homeland Security gets involved. That is why it is so 
important to get these categories separated. Some of the larger multis 
_can_ carry quite a payload.....


John



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