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GoodnNuff said:I'd agree, but there is one glaring problem. The AMA strictly prohibits flying FPV without the craft remaining in LOS. This means you violate their safety guidelines, and are ineligible for insurance coverage IF you fly out of LOS. With proper equipment, preparation and monitoring, flights out of LOS are possible to conduct safely.
No you can still get insurance coverage with the AMA even if you fly in violation of their guidelines (rules) or in violation of federal law (*flying FPV without LOS), you just won't be able to make an insurance claim if your FPV flight without LOS causes damage or injury to another.
* 4. RANGE – ALTITUDE – WEIGHT – SPEED:
a) One of the requirements in Federal Law (Public Law 112-95 Sec 336 (c) (2) February
14, 2012) for model aircraft to be excluded from FAA regulations is that model aircraft
must be flown within VLOS of the operator.
https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/550.pdf
It is the FAA you need to battle regarding LOS, not the AMA...
And I have to disagree, I don't think blind FPV is without risks. I do it once in a while, but I can't judge distance dut to limited perception and my peripheral vision is extremely limited. In an open area it is fairly safe, but in an urban setting, not safe with current systems IMO.
I agree, FPV without LOS is NOT without risks, though they can be overcome. That, combined with trying to enforce the FAA rules on people flying a drone from a mile away being nearly impossible, makes changing the rules, or creating safe, sane guidelines necessary.
The AMA is not trying to allow FPV beyond LOS. There is no action on this at all, as far as I can find. This lack of action or advocacy is the reason an organization other than the AMA is needed.