Heads up my brother.
MICRO UAVs are part of the proposed NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rule Making) being considered by the FAA.
This classification would put all Phantom products in the Mirco UAV (sUAS) category which is limited to 4.4lbs or Less. (Phantoms weigh about 2+lbs.?).
All of this has not been decided yet.
The current "push" from legislators regarding hobbyists, is to get a certification of some sort. Not a pilot's license.
Not sure what the end game is for the miniscule amount of people trying to make money off this tech (commercial flyers).
Hobby Category: no pilot licence required. No COA. No exemption. No understanding of controlled airspace.
Mostly reliant on software to keep them and another plane-full of people from trouble.
Arguably, the Hobby community needs
more certification than the commercial folks.
Question for the free-thinkers:
Who are you worried about when you consider capability, procedure/protocol, public safety, COAs, Exemptions, and formal pilot certifications (pilot's license):
- 20 commercial guys who stand to lose their living if they don't obey the guidance?
- Or....2,000,000 hobbyists who have no earthly desire to understand rules, or do anything except "Fly"?