Recent content by matthewsjl

Good catch.... my bad for not spotting that the pics immediately after were of good batteries. Looking at the batteries posted up by the OP, neither look like anything I've seen before as genuine batteries. John

Well, I was replying to the OP and not you specifically (and talking about a P3 battery as per the OP). The fact for me is that I have two batteries with different text on the batteries as the OP has - and they are both genuine. It's also a fact that DJI changed the batteries at some point...

OK, as a certified pilot, I'll try and clarify. In general, Pilot certificates do not have expiration dates. However, the rules build in a check that needs to be maintained every 2 years for continuous currency - but you could lapse and say take a number of months break and then get recurrent...

Just FYI, I have two batteries that look exactly like the ones pictured here. One came with the P3P and the other was a DJI genuine battery from B&H Photo. There was an update to the battery printed text sometime back. I found this thread which references the change: What is the difference...

As I mentioned, I also fly some light GA too. I've seen quite a few of the helium birthday balloons up around the 2,000-3,000ft mark. I couldn't make out the FAA marking on them though ;)

I agree with that statement but that doesn't mean that an older child shouldn't be able to enjoy a Phantom with a parent under close supervision. I would say that starting the child on the smaller drones first is a smart move (and my son started on the Micro Drone 3 - and can fly that pretty...

I'm a licensed Commercial fixed-wing pilot as well as having the Part 107 UAS. Each has our own definition of risk but if properly supervised (key thing), there shouldn't be significant risk. There may be a desire to send it sky high but if operating below the tree line, it will take a good...

And this is exactly the point where the FAA rules are slightly unfit for purpose. Essentially, if you're below the tree line, there won't be any fixed/rotor wing manned aircraft to conflict with - and yet the FAA maintain the stance of "surface" as their zero point. Heck, that means technically...

There are 1.2m drones in 2016 but not all of them are in the air at any one time - and many may be recycled over the year. Capacity may be a problem but the FAA does have the 978MHz band which should be able to take the strain. I fly a small plane (Cessna 182) and similar planes are actually...

So, for those with Facebook, I'm curious on the legality of this: and the article: Flying this drone totally felt like breaking the law I wouldn't think that the FAA would view this as "hobby" but squarely as commercial (it was a B&H event). Flight is the East Village in Manhattan - squarely...

Thanks.... I've got an email into an ATC buddy at my local tower (KCDW) and will see what he tells me about a more generous low level authorization and if it can be negotiated.

Yes, but for the waiver, the mission point may change. I'm thinking about looking for a 6mo waiver for operations in the Class D. That would in theory mean there isn't a dedicated mission center each time but I suspect the tower guys would probably not like a drone within 2-2.5nm of the airport...

Regarding the class D waiver - did you just request blanket authorization to operate in the class D or did you include any language to self-restrict flying within a certain radius of the airport? Thanks, John.

I know that but IACRA will be updated August - correct? If the paper 8710-13 is available I'm assuming you could get started now with the paper process. John.

Am I right in that 8710-13 doesn't actually exist yet as an FAA form? Or has somebody found it?