FAA Announces Small UAS Registration Rule

Written by: Tony Korologos | Date: Monday, December 14th, 2015
Categories: Multirotor AircraftNews

For Immediate Release

December 14, 2015
Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883

Registration will be free for the first 30 days


WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras.

The Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on November 21. The rule incorporates many of the task force recommendations.

“Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I’m excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation.”

Registration is a statutory requirement that applies to all aircraft.  Under this rule, any owner of a small UAS who has previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to December 21, 2015, must register no later than February 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after December 21, 2015 must register before the first flight outdoors. Owners may use either the paper-based process or the new streamlined, web-based system.  Owners using the new streamlined web-based system must be at least 13 years old to register.

Owners may register through a web-based system at www.faa.gov/uas/registration

Registrants will need to provide their name, home address and e-mail address. Upon completion of the registration process, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership that will include a unique identification number for the UAS owner, which must be marked on the aircraft.

Owners using the model aircraft for hobby or recreation will only have to register once and may use the same identification number for all of their model UAS. The registration is valid for three years.

The normal registration fee is $5, but in an effort to encourage as many people as possible to register quickly, the FAA is waiving this fee for the first 30 days (from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan 20, 2016).

“We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” said FAA Administrator Huerta. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”

The online registration system does not yet support registration of small UAS used for any purpose other than hobby or recreation – for example, using an unmanned aircraft in connection with a business. The FAA is developing enhancements that will allow such online registrations by spring of 2016.

The full rule can be viewed here:www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/20151213_IFR.pdf


Holiday Drone Gift Guide

Written by: Tony Korologos | Date: Wednesday, November 25th, 2015
Categories: Drones For GoodEquipmentGoProMultirotor AircraftNewsRandom
Tags:

According to many estimates there will be TWO MILLION drones sold this holiday season. Personally I’m excited to drive around Christmas day and see all the crashed drones everywhere and pick up a few for spare parts.

Below are a few suggestions for those of you shopping for a drone. Prices range from under $15 to about $1200.00.   I’ve broken the suggestions down by prices, low to high. Click on the drone image and it will you straight to Amazon to buy it and be done with your holiday drone shopping!

$14.19 – Cheerson CX-10 Mini 29mm Diameter 4CH 2.4GHz 6 Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter UFO RTF (Ready to Fly)

At $14.19 this is the cheapest drone I’ve ever seen.

Features

  • Suitable for: Ages 14+
  • Model on Hubsan H111
  • 6-axis design makes the gyroscope adjustable, promoting flying stability
  • 4-8 minutes flight time
  • 3-level adjustable speed flip function

$26.99 – ARRIS V676 2.4G Super Mini UFO RC Quadcopter RTF (Ready to Fly)

Features

  • Stable flight
  • Adopts 2.4G anti-interference technology, allows multi aerocrafts to fly in the same area.
  • LVC LEDs alarm (around 4mm of flight)

$79.99 – Husban X4 H107C


This is a quadcopter with built in camera.  Husban is a well known brand in the tiny drone market.
Features

  • 2 MP HD Camera: Recording module
  • Latest 6-axis flight control system with adjustable gyro sensitivity; Beginner and Expert flight modes
  • 2.4 Ghz Transmitter with LCD screen, Lightweight airframe with nice durability
  • Directional Control (Left, Right, Forward, Backward, Sideways Left, Sideways Right)
  • Equipped with 4 LED Lights and Blade Protection Guard. Blade Protection Guard (Taped at the bottom of the white molded shell portion of the box)

$115.00 – JJRC H8D FPV Headless Mode 6-Axis 2.4Ghz Gyro RTF RC Quadcopter Helicopter Drone with 5.8G 2MP HD Camera Red EU Plug with US Adapter

  • This product is equipped with a professional level of aerial 5.8GHz high-definition camera, maximum up to 2 million pixels, it can be realized in the air to take pictures, video and other aerial capabilities, and real-time transmission to the image on the LCD screen.
  • Exclusive first dual control mode, with the player operation for novice entry-level model and the professional player’s technical level model. Truly a multi-purpose machine, indoor and outdoor operation of the model, suitable for a very wide range of players!
  • Remote control can freely switch for about throttle control, more suitable for multi-regional multi-range of people to use. New CVT function, can achieve 10% -100% to seamlessly shift, gradual acceleration and deceleration can be 1%, according to the player’s own proficiency and space operations to fully fit players to choose gear.
  • This product uses the 2.4GHz band signal, the operation more precise, more responsive, more distant remote control, can simultaneously in the same place each control more than one aircraft without mutual interference ; The product has a 360-degree roll function, in front, left in different directions roll, roll speed sensitive, precise positioning!
  • Unique product design, replaceable aircraft batteries, so you can enjoy a long uninterrupted remote control aircraft excitement pleasure!

DJI Phantom for GoPro

This is the most popular higher level drone ever sold.  I even have one!  A good stage for a GoPro owner who wants to graduate up to a higher quality craft.

  • Complete quadcopter and remote transmitter, pre-tuned by the factory and ready in minutes! Just charge the included battery, attach the propellers and landing gear, and add 4 AA batteries to the remote and you’re flying.
  • Fun flying by itself or even better with a GoPro to record the action. Tested with Hero2, Hero3 and Hero3+ models, sold separately. Produce dramatic cinema-quickly results from the air! Note: Wi-Fi streaming from a camera is not possible because it may interfere with the Phantom’s remote control.
  • Outdoor flight is made possible by advanced GPS positioning that compensates for light wind. The Phantom has a fail-safe function and can be configured to automatically fly to and land at its take-off position if connection to the transmitter is lost. Note: indoor flight or operation by persons under 18 years of age is NOT recommended.
  • With a maximum horizontal speed of 22 miles/hour (10 meters/second), the Phantom lets you capture the action of almost any sport, event or scene.
  • The Phantom’s high tech Naza-M autopilot system lets you configure advanced parameters via software (USB port and separate download required).

$990 – 3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter

World’s First Features

The first consumer drone with a brain, Solo is powered by twin computers.

Only drone to stream wireless HD video from GoPro direct to iOS/Android devices.

Powerful Smart Shot technology makes capturing incredible cinematic footage easy and automatic.

First with in-flight GoPro access: Start/stop recording and adjust camera settings from the ground (with Solo Gimbal).

Hardware Features

Revolutionary, intuitive video game-style controller.

Solo Gimbal (sold separately) delivers smooth footage, GoPro power and control, HDMI video and intelligent camerawork.

Future-proof accessory and gimbal bays make Solo ready for tomorrow’s technology : Concepts under development include LiDAR for super stable indoor flight; ballistic parachute system; flight rewind and more.

Software Features

Full-featured app for iOS and Android puts total craft control at your fingertips.

Unique safety features like pause and ‘safety net’ mean you can fly with confidence.

Take to the air in seconds with effortless pushbutton flight.

Free software and feature updates ensure your Solo grows and adapts with advancements in technology.

$1239 – Yuneec Q500 4K Typhoon Quadcopter Drone RTF in Aluminum Case with CGO3 Camera, ST10+ & Steady Grip

I’ve reviewed this amazing quadcopter. Check out the Ambient Flight Yuneec International Q500 4K Typhoon Review.

Personal Ground Station with built-in touchscreen
Integrated 3-axis precision gimbal camera
4K/30fps ultra high definition video, 1080p/120fps slow motion video
User controlled video resolution, white balance and light exposure
12 megapixel photos with No-Distortion Lens


FAA Wants Small Drones To Be Registered – I’m Ready!

Written by: Tony Korologos | Date: Saturday, November 21st, 2015
Categories: NewsRandom

Associated press articles today are announcing that the FAA wants even small drones to be registered. Well, I’m ready!

My Small Drone Ready for FAA Registration!

My Small Drone Ready for FAA Registration!

What could possibly go wrong?


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