Please see this warning from the Los Angeles Police Department, sent to the California Association of Realtors. Discussion on helifreak here. More background and discussion here. I'll be talking to the NYT about this tomorrow.
Short form: Amateur UAV use within the usual FAA guidelines (under 400ft, within visual line-of-sight, away from built-up-areas) is allowed, as always. But commercial use requires a COA, which you're not going to get. So there's nothing new here, but it's a reminder that the guidelines will be enforced.
LAPD Warning Against Hiring Unmanned Aircraft Operators for Aerial Photos
Los Angeles authorities have asked C.A.R. to communicate this warning to REALTORS® who hire unmanned aircraft operators to take aerial photographs for marketing high-end properties. Using these devices (also known as drones) for flight in the air with no onboard pilot may violate, among other things, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy on unmanned aircrafts, and Los Angeles's local ordinance requiring permits for filming commercial motion pictures and still photographs.
The Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) investigation has apparently revealed that aerial photos where unmanned aircraft were observed have appeared on certain real estate sales websites. According to FilmL.A., the LAPD Air Division has issued this warning as it intends to prosecute violators in the near future. FilmL.A. is a public benefit company created by the City and County of Los Angeles to manage film permit activity and related issues.
Under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s current policy, no one can operate an unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System without specific authority. Operators who wish to fly an unmanned aircraft for civil use must obtain an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate, which will not be issued to an unmanned aircraft used for compensation or hire. Although the FAA allows hobbyists to fly model airplanes for recreational purposes under specific guidelines, that authority does not extend to operators flying unmanned aircraft for business purposes. More information is available from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Notice on Unmanned Aircraft Operations and the FAA's policy.
Comments
This thread is becoming uncivil and is migrating into the subject of politics, which is not allowed on DIYD, so I'm closing the comments.
Mr. Panic, please clarify your resonse. Which of the following do you disagree with:
A. Following rules is the right thing to do.
B. You should follow all rules even if you disagree with them.
I'm not going to argue if the rules are right or wrong. I'm saying that following the existing rules is the right thing to do. And if you don't like the rules, what are you doing to get the rules changed? Not following the rules is the worst way to get the rules changed.
http://youtu.be/jQLwGSq0FqQ this is what your fee,s are really doing if this dont give you chills something wrong with you !
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
Albert Einstein
Confusion of goals and perfection of means seems, in my opinion, to characterize our age.
Albert Einstein
@John Johnson
I agree we need laws but "We" and the FFA need to make the laws not just the FFA and i can understand the insurance part but why do i have to pay fee,s to make my Ham license legal will this fee somehow stop my vid from causing interference with someone,s wifi and why does MItt Romney who makes over 57,000 a Day have to pay 15% ICT when my Dad who made 50,000 a yr had to pay 33% ? these rules should be based on the inherent danger of your UAV platform ie. 65 lb carbon fiber guillotine vrs a 5 lb foamie and why should you be allowed to pay a fee and have more rights than me because i can,t afford it, do you think your more important because you pay these "bribes" ! i,m not personally attacking you just trying to get you to think as a free man ! I trust my government to do whats best for "them" its up to us to question the reasons for these rules and think and always vote on the side of liberty, we can always go back an add more rules if theirs a problem its a lot harder to get your freedom back !
@Sgt Ric
please don,t censor us .
"The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
-Thomas Jefferson
Hey i,ll give you a thumbs up Kernal ,the second amendment is only second by # its first in importance without it all other rights become privileges and can be taken away .the FED should only defend our rights the states should make the laws ,repeat to yourself I am a citizen not a subject.
"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice."
Albert Einstein
i,ll gladly help anybody anyway i can just don,t ask me to roll over !
and say thanks too Chris for informing us of these unjust acts... we don,t have to agree on the cure just that their is s problem, and remember i live in NC no problem here i,m fighting for you !
Mr. Panic, you just pointed out the biggest flaw in your argument. You said "if someone wanted to buy the footage I would sell it to them" and "this is a hobby". If you are receiving compensation than it is NOT a hobby. And if you are not paying taxes on the money received from your "hobby", that's called tax evasion.
You can spell it anyway you want, but even they spell it kernel panic . Now I'm confused (?)
Thank God it's Friday.
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