FAA, corporations & aviation groups draft new safety rules for flying drones near humans
A public/private committee organized by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has suggested preliminary rule changes for how close drones might fly to people, which could open up potential uses of the technology, such as air delivery.
"If it weighs less than 250 grams, or .55 pounds, you're approved, you can operate it over somebody's head," said FAA drone integration office director Earl Lawrence, quoted by BuzzFeed News. Lawrence helped co-chair the committee, which had the participation of 27 drone companies and aviation groups. Currently, no drone is allowed to fly within 500 feet of another person for fear of injury.
Lawrence argued that there's less than a 1 percent chance of a drone that small seriously injuring someone. Accordingly, such craft might be allowed to fly as close as 20 feet overhead or 10 feet to the side as they take off and land.
The committee suggested that weightier drones might also fly overhead, but only after their makers submit their drones to crash tests, and supply a safety affidavit to the FAA. Companies would have to prove that a craft has less than a 1 percent chance of serious injury.
Corporations participating in the committee included DJI, GoogleX, GoPro, and 3D Robotics.
Before being adopted, the committee's proposals must still pass FAA scrutiny, and as well as a period of public commentary. The group was also split on whether drone operators should have to pass an on-site test and government background check, or simply an online test, though the majority backed the latter option.
Some of the best-known drones might still be obligated to stay well away from humans. DJI's Phantom 4, for example, weighs 3 pounds and can travel as fast as 45 miles per hour.
"If it weighs less than 250 grams, or .55 pounds, you're approved, you can operate it over somebody's head," said FAA drone integration office director Earl Lawrence, quoted by BuzzFeed News. Lawrence helped co-chair the committee, which had the participation of 27 drone companies and aviation groups. Currently, no drone is allowed to fly within 500 feet of another person for fear of injury.
Lawrence argued that there's less than a 1 percent chance of a drone that small seriously injuring someone. Accordingly, such craft might be allowed to fly as close as 20 feet overhead or 10 feet to the side as they take off and land.
The committee suggested that weightier drones might also fly overhead, but only after their makers submit their drones to crash tests, and supply a safety affidavit to the FAA. Companies would have to prove that a craft has less than a 1 percent chance of serious injury.
Corporations participating in the committee included DJI, GoogleX, GoPro, and 3D Robotics.
Before being adopted, the committee's proposals must still pass FAA scrutiny, and as well as a period of public commentary. The group was also split on whether drone operators should have to pass an on-site test and government background check, or simply an online test, though the majority backed the latter option.
Some of the best-known drones might still be obligated to stay well away from humans. DJI's Phantom 4, for example, weighs 3 pounds and can travel as fast as 45 miles per hour.
Comments
I bought a cheap lightweight drone just try it out, but there is no safe place to fly it nearby and it is a bit tricky to control. Even being a very light drone, I could imagine if one of the propellers were to strike you in the eye it could very well cause serious injury. Safety lenses might be a good idea when near an operating drone, especially with an inexperienced pilot at the controls.
Drone operators need to learn their shiny toy doesn't give them the power to lord over everyone.
I used to fly big, heavy, gas-powered rc helicopters and boy, those things are dangerous and need an experienced pilot to fly them safely. Yet there is no outrage about those. They can hover, they can carry a camera, they can do anything these small plastic "drones" can do. I guess technically these now fall under the same regulations as the drones do now, unless you are doing it strictly as a hobby and follow the AMA rules...
Certification by AMA would be a good place to start.
Drones will be a nightmare within 3 years.
I own three drones and I only use them for recreational but soon for business use. I fly my drones outside the city limits like the deserts and mountains also in city appointed fly zones in city limits. I love nature so i fly my drones out in the desert. So be careful there are good people who use drones for good reasons and with prudent and there is some who don't. Don't take away the rights of prudent users because there are bad users. Find a balance.
Most people are not criminals
but there are still much things your not allowed to do without consequences because those people exist, including driving cars without a license.
They'll regulate it, and if not huge amount of lawsuits will keep things in check.
Of course, some people will disregard the rules and lose their shirts in court or go to jail; but doesn't mean things shouldn't be regulated.
Cars were barely regulated in 1900, I'm sure people like you also thought they should not be.
Planes were barely regulated until the 1930s.
Even more benign things like noise regulations came about because people hard more and more gadgets/tools to annoy the neighbors.
We live in a society, in a place like California, a very densely packed society, and thus there is a need for regulations before things degenerates.