[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by bmcgowan13

I thought we had to comply with the FARs:

In addition, for Category 2 operations, no remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation is compliant with Remote ID.

Category 3 small UAS have further operating restrictions. A remote pilot in command may not operate a small unmanned aircraft over open-air assemblies of human beings. Additionally, a remote pilot in command may only operate a small unmanned aircraft over people if:

The operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site and all people on site are on notice that a small UAS may fly over them; or

The small unmanned aircraft does not maintain sustained flight over any person unless that person is participating directly in the operation or located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft.

Are you saying that flight over the squares does not require compliance with the flight regulations because it is not "sustained flight"? I always thought the closed/restricted access site was for things like concerts, graduations, movie sets, parties, motocross races, etc where the spectators agree to flyovers as the cost of admission.

Are we able to legally fly over the square because the Villages has an exemption or implied approval due to being in attendance at the square, and/or since everyone is a resident that approval is implied?

That's a cool idea if we do not require FAR compliance but I am not yet totally convinced...

I thought since September of 2023 all sUAS required Remote ID as well. Does the local PD use drone tracker software to identify drones over golf courses or moving vehicles? But---are they even getting complaints?

Good question.
Let's clarify what is meant by flying over the squares. The issue is not the location, it is flying over people that is an issue and you were correct in identifying section D of 14cfr107 and the four categories that allow operations over people.

You can fly over the squares legally, I've done it many times, as long as you don't fly over crowds/gatherings of people. So if it's 7 AM and the Square is empty, no problem. If Scooter is playing and the square is full of people then no you cannot fly over the squares, unless you meet one of the four categories of Section D of 14cfr107.

Section D, in my opinion, is crafted such that it is nearly impossible for the average pilot to meet or afford the requirements to safely operate over people buy FAA safety standards. Therefore 107.39 requirements apply, or more simply put, it's not allowed.

You can operate nearby as long as you don't create an undue hazard as specified in 107.23. An example of this is that I recorded the Christmas tree lighting in Brownwood this year with my aircraft in a stationary position over the Barnstormer Theater a safe distance.

There is no exemptions in/for The Villages for FAA rules. There are however a few people who disregard these rules and make hazardous flights over the squares and other venues.

RID is now required and there are apps that you can install on your phone to identify the aircraft and pilot locations. I am not aware of LLPD, LCSO, WWPD, or SCSO using any of these apps at this time. Even if they did, it's likely that the idiots who are disregarding the rule for operations over people would be paying little attention to the RID rules either.