QuadCopters - LaTrax Alias
01-10-2014, 07:53 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
QuadCopters - LaTrax Alias
So this might sound like an odd question for me to post here... but... here goes....
So I bought my nephew and I both "Quad" RC helicopters for Christmas this year...
We've been getting pretty proficient at operating them.. They are actually lots of fun..
They fly much faster and higher than I realized when I bought them, and they are equipped with bright LED lights for night flight. If you want to see what we are flying, look up "LaTrax Alias".
Anyway, as we fly higher and faster I have started thinking about airspace. The park (sea-level) we are using to fly is under the Shelf of a Class C (40/12). We don't get anywhere near 1,200 feet, but we might get up around 300 feet, so we're in Class G.
We are operating just South and East of the IAF for an instrument approach into KFXE (PRAIZ). Aircraft at that point would be above 2,000 feet so I don't believe there is any safety hazard here, but I'm wondering what the FARs say, and I can't find any FARs that apply to QuadCopters.
Could someone point me to the right FAR for this so I can read up on it? I can't find anything in Part 91 about it, perhaps some other part?
So I bought my nephew and I both "Quad" RC helicopters for Christmas this year...
We've been getting pretty proficient at operating them.. They are actually lots of fun..
They fly much faster and higher than I realized when I bought them, and they are equipped with bright LED lights for night flight. If you want to see what we are flying, look up "LaTrax Alias".
Anyway, as we fly higher and faster I have started thinking about airspace. The park (sea-level) we are using to fly is under the Shelf of a Class C (40/12). We don't get anywhere near 1,200 feet, but we might get up around 300 feet, so we're in Class G.
We are operating just South and East of the IAF for an instrument approach into KFXE (PRAIZ). Aircraft at that point would be above 2,000 feet so I don't believe there is any safety hazard here, but I'm wondering what the FARs say, and I can't find any FARs that apply to QuadCopters.
Could someone point me to the right FAR for this so I can read up on it? I can't find anything in Part 91 about it, perhaps some other part?
01-10-2014, 01:28 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 489
As soon as you're off the ground you're in class G or you could be in class E surface airspace. But I think you know that.
Here are some links for you.
Unmanned Aircraft (UAS) - Questions and Answers
NPRM regarding UAS (covers RC controlled model a/c to commercial UAVs)
https://federalregister.gov/a/E7-2402
Advisory Circular governing use of RC model aircraft
AC 91-57 Model Aircraft Operating Standards
and these are the AOPA equivalent guys for recreational RC model aircraft.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
But 400ft is the generally accepted concensus.
Here are some links for you.
Unmanned Aircraft (UAS) - Questions and Answers
NPRM regarding UAS (covers RC controlled model a/c to commercial UAVs)
https://federalregister.gov/a/E7-2402
Advisory Circular governing use of RC model aircraft
AC 91-57 Model Aircraft Operating Standards
and these are the AOPA equivalent guys for recreational RC model aircraft.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
But 400ft is the generally accepted concensus.
11-13-2014, 12:20 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,803
Anyone else flying quads? I built one "for the children" and they actually took to it and want to fly it all the time. I built a fancy one that is fully autonomous and carries a camera payload. It's a great way to introduce GPS, radio telemetry, programing, mapping, etc. to kids.
The one I built was my first try and flies great on open source software. My point being that if I can do it, it's not that difficult.
The one I built was my first try and flies great on open source software. My point being that if I can do it, it's not that difficult.
11-14-2014, 12:28 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2012
Position: 'Van Driver
Posts: 148
Originally Posted by awax
Anyone else flying quads? I built one "for the children" and they actually took to it and want to fly it all the time. I built a fancy one that is fully autonomous and carries a camera payload. It's a great way to introduce GPS, radio telemetry, programing, mapping, etc. to kids.
The one I built was my first try and flies great on open source software. My point being that if I can do it, it's not that difficult.
The one I built was my first try and flies great on open source software. My point being that if I can do it, it's not that difficult.
I am learning everything about the Arduino platform and hope to build one on my own sometime soon, but like someone else said the "honor" limitation right now is 400 ft unless you go through the FAA hoops for obtaining a special ops certificate or exemption.
