Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

Has anyone else read the proposed EASA drone regulations being banded about just now? Looks absolutely grim!!! :eek: :(

http://droneinsider.org/new-easa-drone-regulations-threaten-kill-uk-european-drone-industry/

Apologies for the crude copy/paste:-

The Main Regulations
Under the proposed regulations, UAV’s (unmanned aircraft) will be grouped into 3 categories

Open

This category is the lowest risk and is for aircraft that do not need prior permission to fly. This category is further split into 4 more sub-categories. These are categories:

A0
A1
A2
A3
Specific

To fly in this category requires authorisation by the competent authorities. Unless it is declared you are sufficiently competent e.g. you have some form of qualification/ (like the PfAW in the UK).

Certified

This is for military drones, so we won’t discuss this license.

The Open category – DYI and AP ships
The open category is the one that affects all drone hobbyists, so that is what we will concentrate on.

If you want to fly a privately build UAV it must conform to the A0 category. This means it must:

Weigh less than 250g
Have a maximum speed of less than 15m/s (54km/h)
Remain within 100m of the pilot
Be limited to a maximum height of 50m
This means a ban of the vast majority of race quads. As they would breach at least 2 of these regulations. The categories A1-A3 do not allow for the use of privately built drones.

However here are the planned regulations regarding these categories:

A1 –“Phantom” category
Max voltage of 24V
Max weight of 25kg
Must be actively limited to 50m.
A2
Same rules as A1 but added on/changed are:
Max voltage of 48V
Must have auto return function (return to home)
Must have a geofencing system in place.
You must have training – and minimal noise (whatever that means)
A3
Same rules as A2 but added on/changed are:
Must be actively limited to 150m
You must be above 14+
No point of failure – so full redundancies on everything!!! all the down to the compass and barometer – utterly impractical!
To fly an A1-A3 you must also register yourself with the relevant aviation authority (CAA in the UK). They also require every model aircraft to be registered with a kind of mini transponder, which is clearly too expensive and impractical for the majority of model UAV users. What category each make of drone will fall into will be decided by the EASA.
 
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Has anyone else read the proposed EASA drone regulations being banded about just now? Looks absolutely grim!!! :eek: :(

http://droneinsider.org/new-easa-drone-regulations-threaten-kill-uk-european-drone-industry/

Apologies for the crude copy/paste:-

Yes. It was being heavily discussed on Facebook last night, and is also in the bmfa magazine this month.

As they stand, the rules wipe out ALL model flying as we know it. Planes, helis, gliders, model rockets, multi rotors. You won't even be able to legally fly your Hubsan X4 outside.
 
Well that's silly, do what America have done. With weight limits.
Then make it its own offence to fly in restricted areas, makes prosecution easier.
If needed registration and liability insurance.
 
Well that's silly, do what America have done. With weight limits.
Then make it its own offence to fly in restricted areas, makes prosecution easier.
If needed registration and liability insurance.

No more rules are needed, we pretty much have it covered law wise. Both commercial and hobby use.

Registration is pointless. Anyone intent on misuse won't use a registered "drone", same as armed robbers don't use their own car when they do a post office.
 
Hahahahaha, I very much doubt the local plod will even try enforce it.

This was exactly my first reaction too, but if you read the small print of the document its a bit more serious and has more implications than you would think at first glance. Manufacturers will be forced to implement geofencing, transponders to be fitted to UAV's and large fines for non-compliance are entirely possible. It will remain to be seen whether it even comes to fruition and if there are any ways to circumvent it to a degree, although I do still tend to think that to actively enforce something like this, is an impossible task for the authorities.
 
No more rules are needed, we pretty much have it covered law wise. Both commercial and hobby use.

Registration is pointless. Anyone intent on misuse won't use a registered "drone", same as armed robbers don't use their own car when they do a post office.

Lol, so anyone who flies irrsponsable, is going to have an illegal drone under such a law.
If there's an accident/missues then it would be much easier to trace.

There's already similar with airsoft.
 
Wouldnt it be better to register the serial number of the drone against a billing address when anyone buys one and if you sell it on make it transsferable to someones elses name.

Smash you drone into something and it would be traced back to you
 
If there's an accident/missues then it would be much easier to trace.

Only if it crashes and isn't retrieved by the owner, and then only if the owner was a) registered, and b) actually bothered to put the number on the craft.

Accidents should be covered by insurance, if you're a responsible pilot.

The problem with "drones" is their accessibility. Self stabilising gps quads need zero skill to fly. Because of that, there is no need to seek the advice of those with experience and as a byproduct, learn the rules.
Everything before them, you either sought advice (through your own research or by visiting a club), or you crashed almost instantly, probably wrecking your expensive purchase.

This means there is ignorance, which needs addressing by education, not by making more rules that people won't even know exist, never mind follow.
 
Wouldnt it be better to register the serial number of the drone against a billing address when anyone buys one and if you sell it on make it transsferable to someones elses name.

Smash you drone into something and it would be traced back to you

What about self builds? Everything I fly was bought as a bunch of parts from a bunch of different sources.

I suppose theoretically, those more likely to be used idiotically will have been bought ready to fly, so that could have some merit.
 
Yes I read all about this in the latest BMFA magazine.
Be a nightmare if they want all models registering etc. I build models either from kits (ARTF) or balsa quite frequently. Must have 2 dozen planes alone in the garage in one shape or another.

It is a shame that RC Heli's and Planes fall into this same category as we are going to possibly get into more problems flying them.

Luckily, as it stands we fly miles from anywhere bar a farm (which we rent our field from), but problems could arise in the future.

Imagine the cost if we have to start some form of tagging every model.
 
What about self builds? Everything I fly was bought as a bunch of parts from a bunch of different sources.

I suppose theoretically, those more likely to be used idiotically will have been bought ready to fly, so that could have some merit.

Not the actual drone have a serial then, the motor or something. Basically something like a chassis number that has been used on cars since the 50s
 
Not the actual drone have a serial then, the motor or something. Basically something like a chassis number that has been used on cars since the 50s

Yeah wouldn't work either. You can change a motor as easily as you change a car tyre for instance. My racer has so many separate bits you wouldn't be able to put one serial number down...I guess the only thing you could do is have a licence for yourself then licence each quad into a category.....but again people who want to break the rules will simply not register, much like in the states

Knew this would happen eventually, some nonces would end up ruining it for people.

Just stick some guidelines and rules down, then of the local councils want to discuss it with individuals they can advise them on what to do, of you fail to adhere to their advice then go down the route of fines I guess.

Edit: I'll just rent some land in the end if it comes down to it I guess.
 
Edit: I'll just rent some land in the end if it comes down to it I guess.

Unless there's a massive indoor flying spot on that land, you still have to obey the laws set by the caa. Renting land, as most bmfa clubs do, only gets you permission to fly, which in turn validates your insurance.

Serial numbers: The only parts on any of my quads that have serial numbers are my cobra motors. The ones that don't have cobra motors, have no serial numbers on any of the parts.
 
Unless there's a massive indoor flying spot on that land, you still have to obey the laws set by the caa. Renting land, as most bmfa clubs do, only gets you permission to fly, which in turn validates your insurance.

Serial numbers: The only parts on any of my quads that have serial numbers are my cobra motors. The ones that don't have cobra motors, have no serial numbers on any of the parts.

Well yes naturally, however if it's private land you are less likely to get the old bill trying to ruin your Sunday evening flying.
 
I think the Police have better things to do, unless you're endangering people or property. Which lets face it, that's the only rule you need.

I saw a video yesterday, by Team Legit, about a guy who'd crashed his quad, and someone nicked it from under his nose before he could get to it.
Months later, the thief tried to sell it, it was spotted, and they set up a sting. Informed the cops etc.
Cops came, were informed of the situation. They asked for proof of purchase or some way to prove whos it was. Not once did they ask either person if it was registered with the FAA, which it has to be by law, and display the registration number on the craft. My bet is they didn't even know that was the case.
 

Another video on the Mavic from the Tested guys.

Ive read a lot about people complaining the Mavic doesnt focus well, but it works a bit different from the Phantoms. Tap to focus is the way, and when its in the right hands it looks awesome for something so small :)

The more I see video's on the Mavic the more I want one.
 
What has actually happened to make the government decide to take such a ridiculous stance on these things?
 
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