I went into my LHS and one of the guys started talking he heard on the news that the FAA is working on a new rule for that ANY camera on an RC aircraft, for commercial or not, would be faced with a $1000 fine and a feloney. I did a quick search online and can't find anything but has anyone heard this yet?
LHS dude is watching too much hysterical local news. The FAA is not in charge of cameras. Some local and state governments are trying to implement privacy and surveillance laws, but they're all works in progress. AFAIK, you're safe.
News yesterday reported a cease and desist order from the FAA to the folks that own Lakemaid beer. They filmed themselves delivering a case to ice fisherman and it went viral on Youtube. Though no money exchanged hands, seems that one of their executives loves flying UAV's, the FAA didn't like it since it seemed to promote, therefore, benefit even obtusely their marketing efforts. The owner/marketing guy was on Fox News this morning and he is just a good old boy and was a hoot to watch. Makes a good case one why we need less govt. His one line I loved, and paraphrase, "We thought it was a better idea to fly over a frozen lake than fly over town like Amazon." http://video.foxnews.com/v/3132463088001/faa-grounds-brewerys-beer-delivering-drone/#sp=show-clips
I'm thinking Publicity stunt, like the Amazon thing. That hex didn't look like it could lift a 12 pack, about 10 lbs?? Not that fast, like in the video anyway.
Makes one wonder why guys share their drone reels in public forums. Promoting your aerial service via your drone reel in a public forum where your main competitors are members is absolutely silly. A good percentage of FAA snitching comes from your competitor operating in your area. Fact. Our industry is very competitive and cutthroat.
This gets better. WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Force the FAA to issue an Airworthiness Certificate for Beer Drones (BUAV's). The FAA has recently revoked authorization for a struggling small business to deliver its product via Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. This innovative product-to-market technique allowed a small business to grow its brand and take advantage of a government-supported initiative to embrace UAV technology. The FAA has no standing to restrict the delivery of products by small businesses and choke economic growth. Created: Jan 30, 2014 Issues: Economy, Small Business, Trade Learn about Petition ThresholdsSIGNATURES NEEDED BY MARCH 01, 2014 TO REACH GOAL OF 100,000 99,771TOTAL SIGNATURES ON THIS PETITION 229 You can vote at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...hiness-certificate-beer-drones-buavs/H6N7553G
Some of the guys at the office are sending around the link to the video about the frozen lake beer delivery via multirotor. I point out that the physics of lifting a 12 pack probably wouldn't work on a rig of that type. To ease their disappointment I give them this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE308tuGtPw Which although not that practical, will actually work.