US Drone Registration Details Announced

[FPVSteve]

I kinda hoped that the USA would be a little more progressive than they're turning out to be. Wasted potential if you ask me!

[wgt40w]

How do none-us residents stand if they are visiting the US with a nasty 'drone'?

No problem - turn up at an American airport with a drone - they would never even let you into the country !!

[FPVSteve]

Yes they would, they'll never turn down a chance to tickle someones prostate

[Gundummy]

$5 a pop ... :facepalm:  utter utter b****x and really the wrong way to go IMO

[FPVSteve]

Not for them - it's a cash cow. Not unlike the BNUC situation ... ahem, must.. not..start...argumentative...thread..again. :D

[Loopdreams]

Wild spurious conjecture about how much it might cost in the future aside it's probably barely even self-funding at $5 for three years per person.  I don't think they are going to be balancing the government spending deficit on the back of it anyway.

[electrotor]

This seems to include everything, not just FPV but all radio controlled models, even control line!

It's actually all models over a certain weight (250g) which has done much to upset those who don't fly r/c.
And just to complicate things some model types have variable amounts of ballast depending on the weather conditions or type of flying. So you could have the same model at one flight below the weight and another flight above it. And theoretically you could also have a model which, due to fuel consumption could start off above the limit but end up below the limit. It'll all end in tears.  :(

Any bets how long it will be before someone gets arrested or even tasered for breaking the law. Meanwhile the shootings continue because guns don't collide in mid-air with aircraft. God bless 'Merica.

[wgt40w]

It's actually all models over a certain weight (250g) which has done much to upset those who don't fly r/c.
And just to complicate things some model types have variable amounts of ballast depending on the weather conditions or type of flying. So you could have the same model at one flight below the weight and another flight above it. And theoretically you could also have a model which, due to fuel consumption could start off above the limit but end up below the limit. It'll all end in tears.  :(

Any bets how long it will be before someone gets arrested or even tasered for breaking the law. Meanwhile the shootings continue because guns don't collide in mid-air with aircraft. God bless 'Merica.

From what you say, I guess american lawyers will already be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of all the new work this law will bring them !!

[Gundummy]

Balloons also fall into this catagory... if you have a tall child, you'll have to shorten the string to remain compliant  :+

And if they let go of the string...

[wgt40w]

Balloons also fall into this catagory... if you have a tall child, you'll have to shorten the string to remain compliant  :+

And if they let go of the string...

Lawyer speak - "Toy balloon weighs less than 1/2 lb - so exempt from law".

[DerbyshireDrones]

A commenter on one of Xjets videos came up with a good question.

Are kites tethered drones? I mean they are kind of glider versions of control lines.

[FPVSteve]

Reading the above comments has just reinforced to me how ridiculous this is - way too many grey areas.

On the plus side, if noone registers (pays) will they have the funds to enforce it? :D

[electrotor]

From what you say, I guess american lawyers will already be rubbing their hands together at the prospect of all the new work this law will bring them !!

Extract from page 44 :

The FAA agrees with these comments and has modified the proposed definition to refer to the total aircraft weight at takeoff and to include possible external attachments to the aircraft in the calculation of small unmanned aircraft weight. Accordingly, as provided in § 1.1, small unmanned aircraft means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft. If the unmanned aircraft is tethered by the cable in such a way that the cable, securely attached to an immoveable object, prevents the unmanned aircraft from flying away in the event of loss of positive control, only the portion of the cable which may be lift aloft by the small unmanned aircraft must be added to the weight of the unmanned aircraft when determining total weight.

OK so we're now clear on that point I hope.  ;D

[Gundummy]

Clown has a bunch of balloons............ :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[electrotor]

Clown has a bunch of balloons............ :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Indeed, but if they are all filled with helium they have a negative weight and are therefore less than 250g. However, if he deflates them, and there are enough to exceed the weight limit, will he have to register them if they remain tied together?