Drones to be limited to 50m max altitude by EASA! 250g maximum for homebuilt!

[simondale]

EASA's 'Prototype' Commision Regulation on Unmanned Aircraft Operations will destroy the European drone industry by limiting drones to 50m and 100m away from the operator in hardware!  Homebuilt model aircraft and drones will be limited to 250g!

Stand up and be counted.  Reply to EASA ([email protected]) and write to your MP and MEP before the middle of October!

I've done a little video about it (although I rambled on a bit longer than I intended to!  Sorry!)

https://www.firstpersonview.co.uk/blog/quadcopters/easa-prototype-regulation-unmanned-aircraft-operations/

Link to the EASA Prototype Commision Regulation on Unmanned Aircraft Operations - please read: https://www.easa.europa.eu/easa-and-you/civil-drones-rpas

Email address to email EASA about this issue (before mid-October): [email protected]  (DON'T copy and paste someone elses response.  It won't count!  Write your own!)

How to find your local MP: http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

How to find your local MEP: http://www.europarl.org.uk/en/your-meps.html

Abbreviated Injury Scale:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbreviated_Injury_Scale

[SnoozeDoggyDog]

No offence intended but am I being cynical ... I know everyone on here abides buy the current regulations so why do new regs matter?  ;)

[FPVSteve]

50m high and 100m out .. I should be fine :laugh:

[SnoozeDoggyDog]

50m high and 100m out .. I should be fine :laugh:

It's all about perspective ... Fly a micro ;)

[simondale]

No offence intended but am I being cynical ... I know everyone on here abides buy the current regulations so why do new regs matter?  ;)

Because model aircraft/ drones will need to have a new CE mark (class A0, A1, A2, A3) which shows that they are electronically limited to 50m altitude.  Otherwise its illegal to import them or sell them.

No current drone or model aircraft comply and would be scrap.  No model could comply without a flight controller, gps, etc.  So the cost of models would go up significantly.

Also, the current rules are easy to comply with.  Articles 94 and 95 are one side of A4. And pretty sensible.

This new EASA stuff basically bans everything except new CE compliant stuff which is limited to 50m.

[electrotor]

This is absolute madness, and I say that as someone who deals a lot, professionally, with regulation and someone who posts here about regulation. It will take time to calm down and respond sensibly to EASA. I see also that the BMFA are hugely concerned about the implications.
Thus far three things have struck me :
1. The manufacturers response which will not be favourable to say the least.
2. The UK will be leaving the EU and will therefore no longer be a member state, but may wish to adopt the EASA regulations at least for full size or as it stands at the moment, above a certain weight.
3. The CAA response when they have been very progressive in dealing with this new technology.

[FPVSteve]

Simon - thanks for your continued work on this type of thing. Bit of a frightening document that actually.

[electrotor]

Because model aircraft/ drones will need to have a new CE mark (class A0, A1, A2, A3) which shows that they are electronically limited to 50m altitude.  Otherwise its illegal to import them or sell them.

No current drone or model aircraft comply and would be scrap.  No model could comply without a flight controller, gps, etc.  So the cost of models would go up significantly.

Also, the current rules are easy to comply with.  Articles 94 and 95 are one side of A4. And pretty sensible.

This new EASA stuff basically bans everything except new CE compliant stuff which is limited to 50m.

Quite, this is ALL model aircraft not just the wreckless twats flying near Heathrow, etc. with their quads.
I cannot believe we have come to this.

[electrotor]

Simon, as noted at the beginning of your video, this has come about because of EASA's inability to differentiate for model aircraft as we currently understand the meaning. I think that is the key to this whole problem.

[Asomaro]

Thanks Simon for taking the time to give us a heads up on the draft EASA document.

It seems that this is already in its last stages so any pressure to make them see sense is really important. If it's implimented as stated then both the hobby and the commercial side will be severely restricted and those of us that have spent a rediculous amount of money already will be left high and dry. It makes no sense to me at all, hopefully there will be a revision that makes more sence - I really hope so. I suspect there will be some serious lobbying from manufacturers as the UK is one of the largest markets outside of the USA and Germany.

[wgt40w]

Thanks Simon for this valuable information.

Maybe the American FAA rules aren't that bad then ?????

[wgt40w]

PS Are these proposals intended for both hobbyists and commercial pilots ?????

[wgt40w]

Direct Link to the Proposed Regulation:-

https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/UAS%20Prototype%20Regulation%20final.pdf

I have just 'skimmed through it and it all seems to me to be aimed at commercial UA Operators. A lot of what is said is already encompassed in current procedures followed by UK holders of BNUC-S.

In summary it suggests that the risks of flying do vary with
1) What is being flown
2) Where the flying is taking place
3) Whether members of the public are likely to have access

and that varying limitations as to operational limits should be proportional to the scale of risk.

EDIT - I'm wrong

I've now just 'skimmed' through the "Introduction of a Regulatory Framework ..."

https://www.easa.europa.eu/system/files/dfu/Introduction%20of%20a%20regulatory%20framework%20for%20the%20operation%20of%20unmanned%20aircraft.pdf

and I quote:
"This covers both commercial and non-commercial operations as identical unmanned aircraft might be
used for both commercial and non-commercial activities with the same risk to non-involved parties. "

[marcin]

Homebuilt model aircraft and drones will be limited to 250g!

Mine is 27 times that ... :laugh:

[wgt40w]

Further reading resulted in this quote:

"However, to take into account the satisfactory safety level achieved by aircraft models, measures will
be defined in the IRs. Model aircraft flying has been practised for decades with a good safety record
because it is a well-structured activity. The intention is to develop rules that will not affect model
aircraft flying. One significant element in this respect is that the pilot of an unmanned aircraft will be
required, except in the 'harmless' subcategory, to have a minimum knowledge of aviation regulations.
The education provided at model-flying associations should be accepted as sufficient."

Panic over !!!!!!           Let's get back on with some ........  :flying: