Contacting local Airports

[sar104]

roger that and I do make the attempts. It just gets a little annoying to try and fail repeatedly. (sort of like repeating the same behavior over and over and expecting a different result) You know what they say about that . Flight service does have a utility to define a UOA (Usas Operating Area) for your part 107 flights for specific locations and times. A notam is not generated or required if there is no COA involved. I don't know how many manned pilots actually check that however.

But just to be clear - note that the FAA requirement that you posted above is, as it clearly states, for recreational (Part 101) flying, not Part 107 operations. There is no airport notification requirement for Part 107 even though, as @BigAl07 mentions, you might want to call as a courtesy.

 

[Anokadrone]

Right but you can enter the UOA without generating a NOTAM. It used for situational awareness. Its my understanding that you only generate a NOTAM if you flying under a COA.

 

[Anokadrone]

But just to be clear - note that the FAA requirement that you posted above is, as it clearly states, for recreational (Part 101) flying, not Part 107 operations. There is no airport notification requirement for Part 107 even though, as @BigAl07 mentions, you might want to call as a courtesy.

I guess that is what was confusing me. I fly part 107 all the time since my drone is strictly for business purposes. My limited flying has been what I regard as "test flights" since I am just starting out and not actually flying for hire as of yet. But I will be soon enough after the insurance and state registration requirements are met. I surely appreciate you guys helping me clarify some the regs. The FAA wording can get a little thick sometimes.

 

[sar104]

I guess that is what was confusing me. I fly part 107 all the time since my drone is strictly for business purposes. My limited flying has been what I regard as "test flights" since I am just starting out and not actually flying for hire as of yet. But I will be soon enough after the insurance and state registration requirements are met. I surely appreciate you guys helping me clarify some the regs. The FAA wording can get a little thick sometimes.

The rules regarding recreational flying are actually quite clear but I'm sure that the FAA doesn't like them - they were imposed by Congress. As a result the FAA has published a lot of confusing and, in some cases, contradictory information on the FAA website that muddies the distinction between advice, guidelines and rules. To some extent even the Part 107 rules, which were developed and implemented by the FAA and are quite unambiguous, have suffered in the process.

In my opinion the best sources of the definitive rules and criteria for both kinds of flying are 14 CFR Parts 101 and 107 themselves. For the most part I would not bother with the FAA website attempts to explain them.

 

[Anokadrone]

Well stated....that has been my experience. I very much appreciate some validation regarding interpretation of the rules vs the guidelines and recommendations. I am all for safety first and will do everything I can do to ensure a safe operation but on the other hand, pounding my head against the wall ain't on the list...