Recent content by Earthman

Being under 250 grams only “exempts” recreational pilots from UAV registration - not the rest of the applicable regulations or common sense. The FAA can and will require registration of sub 250 gram UAVs if/when the clueless, careless, and criminal elements flying such UAVs become a problem.

My understanding is the default down tilt angle limit is 85-deg but you can shift the entire tilt range down in the Spark calibration settings so that the lower limit is 90-deg. However, if you do, the up tilt limit will be 5-deg less than the default, which is no big deal if using the Spark...

You may be right! I did not check which type of flying the FAA website covered. If I find the website, I’ll check. Thanks

From an FAA FAQ website... If my registered UAS or drone is destroyed or is sold, lost, or transferred, what do I need to do? You should cancel your registration through the FAA's online registration system.

What pilots of manned aircraft think and say about recreational drones is alarming and only partially wrong. Read the comments to the following post at Air Facts...

Mike, I wouldn't worry too much about having a TPT-like app for Android. In some respects, I think the paper templates work better since they don't cost much, they are easy to use with a PC or cell phone, and currently, they are more accurate than TPT, which doesn't let me put in the exact...

I’m glad you found Windy again. Windy is my go to app for wind speed, direction and forecast. I use it every time I fly or plan a flight. If needed, I also use the augmented reality iPhone app Theodolite with a small spreadsheet on my iPhone to help estimate the height of obstructions (see...

Although it can be part of the proposed Remote ID database, there is no reason that the system needs to make the PIC’s ID available to the public. Law enforcement can have private access to it, but the public doesn’t need it and shouldn’t have it since it’s an invasion of privacy for the PIC...

In these litigious United States, it’s best to fly with insurance. Bad things happen, even if you are careful, which is why we have insurance.

I don’t know about homeowners insurance (SEE UPDATE BEL0W), but it’s worth asking about to make sure you are covered. Otherwise, what you said about AMA insurance appears to be untrue. Upon review, I found nowhere in the AMA insurance policy, safety guidelines, or by-laws where it says or is...

One benefit of joining the AMA is the regular annual membership fee of $75 includes $2.5M in liability insurance for bigger, faster aircraft. The annual membership fee for Park Flyer membership is $38 for aircraft less than 2-lbs and less than 60-mph, for which you get $500k of insurance. In...

CenlaUSA is right. In the USA, the FAA is the only authority that can legally regulate the airspace from the ground up. You can find and show the HOA’s board the laws that support this, which may be enough to terminate any further board action. However, if the board or opposition do any...

I made the attached one-page flyer that contains info and links about the FAA's proposed Remote ID rule with the intent to post it at area flying fields and local hobby shops to help inform those who may be interested. Any suggestions or comments? Otherwise, feel free to distribute the flyer...

You have until March 2, 2020 to comment. Tips for leaving formal comments: https://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf Direct link to FAA comment page...

Here’s a link to the proposed rule for Remote ID on the Federal Register’s webpage: Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems This action would require the remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems. The remote identification of unmanned aircraft systems in the airspace of the...