Operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems safely

  • Published
  • By Bill Neizke
  • 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  There is a growing interest in "drones" across the country. Technology has advanced to the point where they are fairly inexpensive, relatively easy to fly and widely available. One can find these quadcopters, helicopters and airplanes in just about every shopping mall or hobby store.

The government and private industry are using them for a variety of purposes. Individuals can even build their own. Many come with cameras installed. As with any changing technology, there are many questions, and most people don't know the rules.

The Federal Aviation Administration designates all of these airborne vehicles as Unmanned Aircraft Systems, and it regulates their use within the United States. The FAA has rules for operation based on their use.

Overall, there are three broad categories:

· Public operations (governmental), such as military, border patrol or police department uses.
· Civil operations (non-governmental), such as business that want to deliver books and pizzas or sell pictures of a wedding taken from an airborne camera.
· Model aircraft operations, which is the category most hobbyists fall into. The rules for operating in this category are significantly less restrictive than the first two categories.

When model aircraft are mentioned many people think of small radio-controlled airplanes with wings. Under the FAA's designation the term also includes new quadcopters seen in the mall and any similar flying devices. Even if they carry a camera and take pictures, they still fall in this category. Unless you sell the pictures, then they would fall into the civil operations (non-governmental) category.

The FAA's web page www.faa.gov/uas spells out the rules to ensure safe, legal model aircraft operations. In summary they are:

· Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles.
· Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times.
· Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations.
· Don't fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying.
· Don't fly near people or stadiums.
· Don't fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs.
· Don't be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft - you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft.

Ultimately this boils down to being a good neighbor with your hobby. If you are causing a hazard, irritating people in the park by flying too near them, hovering near your neighbor's house or taking pictures of someone without permission, there will be issues. If you have any questions about flying a model aircraft, the local radio control club or installation safety office should be able to help.

For further information on flying these small unmanned aircraft on base or in Massachusetts, contact the 66th Air Base Group Safety Office at 781-225-5584.