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FAA to Drastically Restrict Drone Flight (You May Need A Pilot License To Fly One)

by 10 Comments

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WSJ reports that there are going to be some changes to the laws concerning drones that could have serious impact on photographers and videographers.

The major one is a requirement for a pilot license for commercial work, which is harsh enough, but there is more :

  • Conventional pilot licenses mean that the pilot will have to have flown manned aircraft for dozens of hours
  • Stay under 400 feet and always within sight of your craft
  • Fly only during daylight
  • These rules would apply to any drone 55 pounds or less

The above set of rules or needing a license for commercial drones seems to be becoming a standard, we wrote about this happening in Canada a while back, so this could be the second step in this regulation spreading world wide.

The WSJ article states,

Drone proponents say the U.S.’s regulatory approach is less accommodating than in other countries. This month, Canada plans to issue blanket approval for all commercial operations that use drones weighing less than 4.4 pounds as long as they comply with certain safety standards, such as altitude limits and no-fly zones around airports.

The FAA is expected to propose this before the end of 2014 and will have a public comment phase so stay tuned for any further developments on this to have the ability to voice your feedback.

[via The Verge]

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  • Part of me wants to demand the same enforcement for anything called a drone: especially military drones.

  • Rex Deaver

    I have been saying for a long time that regulation was going to come down, and it was going to be harsh. Too many photographers have been stupid and irresponsible, and have hidden behind claims of free speech rights. But the fact is that there is no constitutional guarantee of free access to air space. So we end up here.

    • gs_790

      Hobbyists, professionals, and the police, forest service, etc… really do need a uniform set of guidelines to rely on.

      The intersection of, “It’s the size of a hat-box and its fail-safe is to gently return to the controller,” and ” This is out of the ordinary, I have authority, and I’m telling you to pack it up,” is a really bad place to be.

  • John S

    The whole thing is a farce. If there’s a safety concern they need to put the hammer down on hobbyists and not just professionals. Otherwise it’s just an arbitrary money-grab. Look to Canada, you silly US government bureaucrats.

  • Tim Schallberger

    Dumb question… What sort of restrictions are there on RC Planes? Or Model Rocketry (I know there is a height restriction for rockets).

    • moonshin

      there is no height restriction on rockets provided the rockets weigh less 3.3 lbs with less than 4 oz of propellant. all you have to do is notify the nearest control tower and not fly near an airport

  • Wes Jones

    What is their definition of “drone”?

  • The FAA does not have jurisdiction… . .

  • larry haffner

    The FAA is playing God on this subject. They have no regulation to enforce, only a Directive to propose regulations for a vote by congress. Therefore, they have no authority to be restricting anyone from flying a RCMA below 400 feet and in line of sight. Whenever they do have a Regulation to enforce as voted on by the Congress, then we can talk logically. However, whenever they do this, to require a pilot license and physical of the operator is completely unnecessary and illogical.

  • Donald Baker

    I don’t mind losing another freedom.

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