“The FAA is expected to issue its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) [which we name remotely piloted aircraft (RPA)] by the end of 2014. In a standing-room-only session at NBAA2014, a panel discussion covered many questions: Will UAS operators be required to be certificated pilots? Will the UAS itself have to be certificated? Is the U.S. falling behind the international community in its regulation and use of UAS? This video gives a brief overview of the session.”
How do the drones get away with violating minimum safe altitudes prescribed for general aviation aircraft under 91.119 – ie no closer than 1000 feet over congested areas or 500 feet in other than congested areas? I don’t want them flying over my house below 500 feet and I don’t want them in my airspace above that without “see and avoid (other aircraft)” capability. So it seems to follow then that they need to be treated as regular airplanes and all of the requirements applicable to regular airplanes and “pilots” would have to apply in the interest of consistency. Go figure.
Everybody wants drones because they are supposedly cheaper to operate than real (manned) aircraft. The truth is that, if drones are to share airspace with real aircraft, they can’t be cheaper to operate than real aircraft. This is so because drones and their operators would have to meet the same certification and operation requirements as real aircraft. Real aircraft and pilots have to meet strict FAA standards, namely to assure safe operation. Requiring anything less from the drones, therefore, would compromise safety, and would be totally unacceptable. Having drones meet all necessary certification and safety standards will negate their cost savings. To operate a drone, you would need an FAA certified operator (I am not calling them pilots) with current medical and bi annual review, a commercial license, maintenance performed by an A&P, and an annual inspection performed by an IA, ADS-B out, etc. etc. So, where is the cost saving? Or, don’t tell me that the FAA pretends that we share the airspace with drones that don’t meet the same safety and certification standards as our aircraft??? Can’t have it both ways. The safety and certification standards are either necessary or they are not…