Drones
 

I have a great deal of respect for Drone President Don Wiley. He has dedicated numerous hours to studying the FAA rules and regulations for drones and has taught several educational classes on drone operation. We should value his judgment and common sense approach. Wishing blue skies for all!!

The more these threads play out the more scenarios that come to mind. For generations people flew kites in open spaces like fields and beaches....respecting private properties and it’s inhabitants. Drones in their infancy were used similarly. Once they were designed with cameras and smartphone capability, that’s where some (not all) used them in a less respectful manner. As humans we’re all inquisitive but the ‘voyeurism’ tag you speak of definitely applies in some cases.

I think it's very applicable. Had the young fellow I mentioned not have found the money to get FAA Certified or had "test anxiety", he might never have realized his potential. His talent and ability to fly an airplane was extraordinary and I'm sure there's plenty more like him.

Flight Sims these days, are amazingly realistic and in fact, the 1st time that JetBlue pilot who's flying your plane lands that Airbus A320 with 200+ passengers aboard, might be the very first time he's ever done it.

If the factions in the Senate don't stop playing silly boogers, it could be sooner than you think!

Thanks. I enjoy the videos of amazing scenery that drones capture.

OK - I have to weigh in here on the whole "pilot" thing. First off, I am a pilot. I don't fly anymore, but I am licensed by the FAA as a private pilot for single-engine, land-based aircraft. I have a complex endorsement as well as an instrument rating.

Getting all that BS out of the way, here is what Miriam-Webster says about the term, "pilot".

a person who flies or is qualified to fly an aircraft or spacecraft

And here is what it says about the term, "aircraft".

a vehicle (such as an airplane or balloon) for traveling through the air

And finally, what they define as a "drone".

an uncrewed aircraft or vessel guided by remote control or onboard computers

So, a drone is an aircraft, and someone controlling a drone is by definition, a pilot. Period.

And yes, I also pilot a drone.

To all those "holier than thou" folks complaining about the use of "pilot", lighten up. Seriously, get a hobby other than being snarky on TOTV. I hear there are several available in The Villages.

I’m not a pilot...I don’t fly drones. So as a lay person, not giving a s**t about what the FAA determines, a pilot is in my world a professional. Professionally trained and educated. Not a hobbyist. You can call yourself Maverick for all I care but the majority on here honor the profession in using that title. Im sure the majority of recreational drone ‘pilots’ wouldn’t be protesting if the agency identified them as ‘operators’. Btw, by questioning the title doesn’t mean we are all acting ‘holier than thou’! That may be your issue.

I think we should take this whole issue to the nine robes in D.C.

Do they take cases from jailhouse lawyers?! ;)

I suspect Clarence Thomas is a closet drone operator.

He's on a search for Long Dong Silver and the pubic hair on the Coke can.

He's already got footage of Anita Hill.

Drone videos for toyrism
 

There's an amazing web site with worldwide well-produced drone videos

AirVuz | Best Drone Videos

Check it out

Recreational drone flights
 

It's like any "toy"....it takes money, skill, and a desire to learn something new.

Lots of pilots post great videos to AirVuz | Best Drone Videos

When it is "following you" (I assume it's your own drone doing that not some unknown person trying to tail you :) ). The law says YOU still must be in full control at all times. YOU are still piloting it which is "the law" and must still be in full control of it.

I think this explains it:

eCFR :: 14 CFR 107.19 -- Remote pilot in command. (FAR 107.19)
(Don, correct me if I am wrong!)

Thanks!

Do FAA regs apply to The Village squares
 

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?