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In looking over all the pertinent FAA documents a few things became
apparent.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Solution:<br>
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.<br>
<br>
2) The FAA is concerned with use and misuse of the NAS. They are not
concerned with terrorism.<br>
<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Solution:<br>
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<br>
<br>
Category 1(definition of model aircraft):<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Category 2:(definitions of basic sUAS)<br>
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<br>
<br>
Category 3(definition of where the problem is-sUAS)<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<br>
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).<br>
Category two is not really a problem to the outside world but pilot
registration would not be a big deal<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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 <u>can</u> carry quite a payload.....<br>
<br>
<br>
John<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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