Recent content by SirThomas

I think it depends upon whether DJI can implement the Remote ID requirement with the existing hardware or not. If they can, it will just be a firmware upgrade. Best to stay tuned to DJI communications and see what they say. In any case, we'll still have 2.5 years to fly 'em before they have...

This is speculation on my part, but the fact that the rule says that devices will NOT be permitted to use ADS-B (because so many units transmitting might overwhelm the receivers) almost implies a separation of the airspace above and below 400 ft. Above 400 ft the ADS-B will provide location...

Good question. The best I could find (disclaimer: I'm not an authority of any type on the rules) was that your home-built plane would fall under the definition of a home-built aircraft. The below seems to address this, and implies to me that yes, it would require a remote ID module be...

I am hoping to do something similar with lights on some houses in our neighborhood. But I plan to fly at dusk because of the great brightness difference between lights and house so that both can be seen. Plus I'm permitted to fly at dusk, but not at night here :)

The rule is 470 pages long, so you are forgiven for not reading all of it :) The public WILL have access (if in the range of the transmitted signals) to ID/location but will not be able to look up who that is and where they live. They wanted it to be consistent with license plate info. You can...

FAA-recognized areas will be model club flying locations and others that "community groups" (i.e. schools, model clubs, etc.) apply to the FAA to have their area designated. The FAA will maintain a database of those areas and you'll be able to look them up at the FAA's website. The comment...

I will through out an EE guess here and say it might be in the $30-$50 range for an attached unit. Attached units do not need to broadcast the controller location, but only the location of takeoff of the drone (they assume the controller is likely pretty close to where the drone takes off from...

In the 400+ page comment response, it implied to me that it would likely be Bluetooth or WiFi. It will transmit a Remote ID ("serial number") that has to be in your application for the license. So the FAA can match up the number to your info. My understanding is the purpose of broadcasting is...

This has a good summary: https://www.faa.gov/news/media/attachments/RemoteID_Executive_Summary.pdf

I think that this is a pretty good compromise between what the FAA originally proposed and what commenters said back to them during the comment period. They removed the requirement to be on an internet connection and send info over the internet to a (cost extra) company that would collect that...

That was something I pondered in a potential feedback during the comment period. I like using my Spark for video and while video from 400 ft AGL might be cool the first time, most of the time I'm more interested in a much closer view from 100 ft AGL or below. Particularly with the Spark's...

I think the DJI representative in the video in the other thread said it well -- we should take the time to read through these proposed rules (which are different than what the advisory committee recommended) and craft reasonable responses to submit during the public comment period. I liked the...

The 3-year comes from the part of the document that says all devices must conform within three years to these rules, so was an interpretation on my part. The restriction on flying club locations was inferred by this portion on page 16 and 17: "A person operating a UAS without remote...

It appears that the FAA is proposing some new rules (to be published 12/31/19) that they want comments on. Basically, it appears to be rules related to having drones identify themselves in real time, either via an onboard transmitter or via real-time transmission over the internet. Three...

On the plus side it looks like DJI is planning to put ADS receivers in future drones so that at least you as the PIC will know what is around you that squawks its location. To the OP, I'm also appalled that people hack the s/w to allow them to fly illegally and then boast/document their...