Hello everyone. I'm new here, and incredibly confused. The place where I work just purchased a phantom 2 for our video production department (i.e. me, lol) as a sort of "surprise" new piece of gear. Originally I thought this was the coolest thing ever and I was looking forward to using it for our video production work - until I read something about commercial work being illegal.
I've spent the last couple days playing with the phantom (no, I haven't done any work with it) and also have been trying to find more info on how I'm allowed to use this. I've called a couple shops here in the US, and I've read plenty of articles and forums, and of course I've looked at stuff from the FAA such as: http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/mod ... operators/.
One of the shops I called told me that until 2015, I'm fine and can use it however I want, and the other said they're not giving any legal advise (smarter of the two answers I think). But it seems to me that the FAA is insistent on not just regulating, but banning all use of UAVs for commercial purposes until they can construct the infrastructure necessary to regulate and tax their use.
I think the reason why I'm so confused is not simply the line the FAA has laid down, but do they still have the authority to fine people for using them that way since the Raphael Pirker appeal? Doesn't that set precedent until 1) the NTSB makes a ruling on the FAA's appeal; or 2) the new laws are enacted that are supposed to come about in 2015? What do people think about Peter Sachs' website: http://dronelawjournal.com ? He seems to make sense, but a $10k fine is steep if he's wrong, not to mention any legal fees to fight it - even if you would win like Pirker.
The other thing that confuses me are some of the larger UAVs that can carry cameras like the RED and require two operators. I don't believe anyone is spending that kind of money and risking damage to such expensive equipment strictly as a hobby. What about these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=438kzZy ... jw&index=8 ? Seems to me people are doing it and not having any problems.
Anyhow, sorry for the long post, but I'm trying to get my head to stop spinning with all this - it's illegal, the FAA will fine you, no the FAA doesn't have the authority, people are doing it anyhow, but do you really want to take the chance - WOW! help? lol...
I've spent the last couple days playing with the phantom (no, I haven't done any work with it) and also have been trying to find more info on how I'm allowed to use this. I've called a couple shops here in the US, and I've read plenty of articles and forums, and of course I've looked at stuff from the FAA such as: http://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/mod ... operators/.
One of the shops I called told me that until 2015, I'm fine and can use it however I want, and the other said they're not giving any legal advise (smarter of the two answers I think). But it seems to me that the FAA is insistent on not just regulating, but banning all use of UAVs for commercial purposes until they can construct the infrastructure necessary to regulate and tax their use.
I think the reason why I'm so confused is not simply the line the FAA has laid down, but do they still have the authority to fine people for using them that way since the Raphael Pirker appeal? Doesn't that set precedent until 1) the NTSB makes a ruling on the FAA's appeal; or 2) the new laws are enacted that are supposed to come about in 2015? What do people think about Peter Sachs' website: http://dronelawjournal.com ? He seems to make sense, but a $10k fine is steep if he's wrong, not to mention any legal fees to fight it - even if you would win like Pirker.
The other thing that confuses me are some of the larger UAVs that can carry cameras like the RED and require two operators. I don't believe anyone is spending that kind of money and risking damage to such expensive equipment strictly as a hobby. What about these guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=438kzZy ... jw&index=8 ? Seems to me people are doing it and not having any problems.
Anyhow, sorry for the long post, but I'm trying to get my head to stop spinning with all this - it's illegal, the FAA will fine you, no the FAA doesn't have the authority, people are doing it anyhow, but do you really want to take the chance - WOW! help? lol...