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Daveroo
March 10th, 2014, 14:42
The FAA (http://www.aviationtoday.com/search/?query=FAA) is appealing a judge's ruling that the agency does not have regulatory authority of the commercial use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).


The agency is appealing Huerta v. Pirker, which involvers UAS enthusiast Raphael Pirker, who was fined $10,000 by the FAA (http://www.aviationtoday.com/search/?query=FAA) for using a RiteWing Zephyr II aircraft to film promotional videos for the University of Virginia Medical Center. FAA officials claim the flight violated the FAA's regulation of the commercial use of UAS because it was operated near a crowded street and within 100 feet of an active heliport at UVA.

Pirker appealed the original fine to Patrick Geraghty, an administrative law judge with the National Transportation Safety Board, who ruled that Pirker was not in violation of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).

"The FAA is appealing the decision of an NTSB Administrative Law Judge to the full National Transportation Safety Board, which has the effect of staying the decision until the board rules. The agency is concerned that this decision could impact the safe operation of the National Airspace System and the safety of people and property on the ground," the agency said in a statement.


- See more at: http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/FAA-Appeals-Unmanned-Systems-Decision_81587.html#.Ux4-pT9dVIE

this makes me wonder if the FAA will rush people who are flying RC helicopters with cameras in them?..i can see it now..FAA storm Troopers (and yes i am refering to those fella's from the 30s)will "take down" some 70+ year old at a local park flying his helo,.ATF,FBI.TSA,local swat ...all gonna get into the act soon.

ViperPilot2
March 10th, 2014, 15:21
Personally, I think this is starting to sound like a case of 'Michael (Fuerta) vs. Debbie (Hersman)' to me, hence the Appeal to the FULL NTSB Board. The FAA is thinking to themselves, "Who does the NTSB think they are, appealing a Decision WE, the FAA, made? They just investigate and make Recommendations, but we ENFORCE (!) the LAW!"

Of course, I was under the impression that R/C aircraft were supposed to be flown only in a controlled environment like an R/C airstrip, which we have at one of our local State Parks... is that the case?

I think Daveroo is right; as these 'microcopters' become more and more popular, there's going to be an increase of Law Enforcement activity as townsfolk become less and less tolerant of them buzzing around.

Sorta like... "911. Yeah, there's this Drone, UAV, whatever... flying around my house, trying to peek through my windows. It's upsetting my dog, and me; could you send a Squad Car over?"

5283

stansdds
March 11th, 2014, 02:07
Pandora's box has been opened.