USA-sUAS Pilots FAA Launches 2023 Holiday “12 Days of Drones” Safety Campaign

GFields · Dec 5, 2023

FAA Launches 2023 Holiday “12 Days of Drones” Safety Campaign

WASHINGTON – If you are considering a drone as a holiday gift, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wants you and your loved ones to understand how to fly it safely.

The FAA is launching its 12 Days of Drones campaign to educate people about the rules, regulations and best practices of operating a drone. This December, the agency will share important drone-safety information and resources that will help future pilots stay up to date with the latest rules. All of the campaign’s safety messages will be posted on the FAA’s DroneZone Twitter and Facebook accounts throughout the month.

The campaign will run each weekday from December 7 – 22 with each day dedicated to a specific drone safety topic.

Day 1 (12/7): The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)
Day 2 (12/8): Register and mark your drone
Day 3 (12/11): Remote ID
Day 4 (12/12): Become a certificated remote pilot
Day 5 (12/13): Where can I fly
Day 6 (12/14): Airspace authorizations -- LAANC
Day 7 (12/15): “Weather” or not to fly
Day 8 (12/18): Flying at night
Day 9 (12/19): Drones for everyone
Day 10 (12/20): Flying over people
Day 11 (12/21): Drones and careers
Day 12 (12/22): Drones for good

The FAA also released a new video reminding everyone of the rules and regulations that drone pilots must follow.

Additional information about safely flying a drone is available on the FAA website.

GFields · Dec 7, 2023

Day 1 (12/7): The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST)

The law requires that all [USA] recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement.

TRUST provides education and testing on important safety and regulatory information. If you fly your drone recreationally under the Exception for Recreational Flyers, you must pass the test before you fly.

TRUST was developed in collaboration with drone stakeholders to determine content, and how it would be administered. Since June 2021, we have worked with a group of approved Test Administrators to provide TRUST as an online test. We in the FAA provide the TRUST content to the approved test administrators who, in turn, provide the online test to you, the recreational flyer.

GFields · Dec 8, 2023

Day 2 (12/8): Register and mark your drone

How to Register Your Drone

Register your drone at FAADroneZone whether flying under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations or Part 107. If you are not sure what kind of a drone flyer you are, check out our User Identification Tool or visit our Getting Started webpage to learn more.

All drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.
Drones registered under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations cannot be flown under Part 107.

GFields · Dec 9, 2023

Day 3 (12/11): Remote ID

Note: FAA Policy on Remote ID Enforcement
Drone pilots are expected to comply with the September 16, 2023, compliance date for Remote ID. However, the FAA understands that some drone pilots may not be able to comply because of limited availability of broadcast modules and lack of approved FAA-Recognized Identification Areas. In those instances, the FAA will consider all factors in determining whether to take enforcement action through March 16, 2024.
Read the full policy in the Federal Register..

How to be Remote ID Ready

There are three ways drone pilots can meet the identification requirements of the Remote ID rule:

Operate a Standard Remote ID drone (PDF) that broadcasts identification and location information of the drone and control station. A Standard Remote ID drone is one that is produced with built-in Remote ID broadcast capabilities in accordance with the Remote ID rule's requirements.
Operate a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module (PDF). A broadcast module is a device that broadcasts identification and location information about the drone and its take-off location in accordance with the Remote ID rule's requirements. The broadcast module can be added to a drone to retrofit it with Remote ID capabilities. Pilots operating a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module must be able to see their drone at all times during flight.
Operate (without Remote ID equipment) (PDF) at FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs) sponsored by community-based organizations (CBOs) or educational institutions. FRIAs are the only locations where UAS (drones and radio-controlled airplanes) may operate without broadcasting Remote ID message elements.

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GFields · Dec 10, 2023

Day 4 (12/12): Become a certificated remote pilot

Become a Drone Pilot

In order to fly your drone under the FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.

First-Time Pilots

Eligibility

To become a pilot you must:

Be at least 16 years old
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
Be in a physical and mental condition to safely fly a drone
Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge exam: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)"

Requirements for Remote Pilot Certificate:

Must be easily accessible by the remote pilot during all UAS operations
Certificate holders must complete an online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to maintain aeronautical knowledge recency

Navigating the Process to Become a Drone Pilot:

Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment with a FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center

. Be sure to bring a government-issued photo ID to your test.

Step 3: Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test: "Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)". Knowledge test topic areas include:

[Continue Reading]

GFields · Dec 13, 2023

Day 5 (12/13): Where can I fly

Where Can I Fly?

Anyone flying a drone is responsible for flying within FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to you as a drone pilot to know the Rules of the Sky, and where it is and is not safe to fly.

Airspace Restrictions

Learn about airspace restrictions, especially around airports, so your drone does not endanger people or other aircraft.

B4UFLY Mobile App

Download the FAA's safety app, which provides real-time information about airspace restrictions and other flying requirements based on your GPS location.

FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs)

A FRIA is a defined geographic area where drones can be flown without Remote ID equipment.

No Drone Zone

FAA provides a free digital toolkit with outreach materials to federal, state, and other partners to educate drone operators that flying in certain areas is prohibited.

Visualize it: See FAA UAS Data Map

Before any flight/mission, enter the address of the location and check for any airspace restrictions.

New TFRs

Go to this site to check to see if any new TFRs have been implemented.

GFields · Dec 13, 2023

Day 6 (12/14): Airspace authorizations -- LAANC

UAS Data Exchange (LAANC)

The FAA UAS Data Exchange is an innovative, collaborative approach between government and private industry facilitating the sharing of airspace data between the two parties.

Under the FAA UAS Data Exchange umbrella, the agency will support multiple partnerships, the first of which is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC).

What is LAANC?

LAANC is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, a collaboration between FAA and Industry. It directly supports UAS integration into the airspace.
LAANC provides:

Drone pilots with access to controlled airspace at or below 400 feet.
Awareness of where pilots can and cannot fly.
Air Traffic Professionals with visibility into where and when drones will operate.

[Continue Reading]

GFields · Dec 15, 2023

Day 7 (12/15): “Weather” or not to fly.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations (Part 107)

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or “drone,” operations cover a broad spectrum of commercial and government uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. Highlights of the rule, 14 CFR Part 107, follow.

Operating Requirements

Just as there are rules of the road when driving a car, there are rules of the sky when operating a drone.

Always avoid manned aircraft.
Never operate in a careless or reckless manner.
Keep your drone within sight. If you use First Person View or similar technology, you must have a visual observer always keep your drone within unaided sight (for example, no binoculars).
You cannot be a pilot or visual observer for more than one drone operation at a time.
Do not fly a drone over people unless they are directly participating in the operation.
Do not operate your drone from a moving aircraft.
Do not operate your drone from a moving vehicle unless you are flying your drone over a sparsely populated area and it does not involve the transportation of property for compensation or hire.

You can fly during daylight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) or in twilight if your drone has anti-collision lighting. Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. Maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).

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The weather, including wind, plays an important part in how the drone performs and safety issues. For best practice, refer to the drone's manufacturer for details.

There are many apps that can assist the pilot with current weather and wind conditions. As well as web-based applications.

To name a few:

UAV Forecast
Drone Buddy
Drone Forecast
Windy.APP
SkyGrid

And many others.

It is important to know how wind and cooler temps affect your drone's performance. Prop icing occurs in higher elevations and during the winter months can bring down your drone.

There are other important issues that relate to the weather and flying your drone. This is by no means an exhaustive list but just a brief statement of the importance of knowing the weather and how it affects your drone/flight.

GFields · Dec 20, 2023

Day 8 (12/18): Flying at night

Night Operations

This rule allows routine operations of small UAS, beginning April 21, 2021, at night under two conditions:

The remote pilot in command must complete an updated initial knowledge test or online recurrent training, and
The small unmanned aircraft must have lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least three (3) statute miles that has a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision.

Can I Fly My Drone At Night? Recreational and Part 107

GFields · Dec 20, 2023

Day 9 (12/19): Drones for everyone

This is a question that gets asked pretty often. "What is the best drone for me?"
To answer the question one would need to know a few things.
1. Are you a beginner?
2. What do you want a drone for?
a. Fly Recreationally
b. Fly Commercially
3. Do you want a compact drone or a larger drone?

Here is PC Magazine's

Our Top 9 Picks

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Best Drone for Most Creators
Jump ToDetails

$959.00 at Amazon
See It

DJI Mini 2 SE

Best Entry-Level Drone
Jump ToDetails

$299.00 at Amazon

DJI Air 2S

Best for Photographers
Jump ToDetails

$899.00 at Amazon
See It

DJI Air 3

Best Obstacle Avoidance System
Jump ToDetails

$1,099.00 at Amazon
See It

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Best Drone for Pro Video and Cinema
Jump ToDetails

$2,199.00 at Amazon
See It

DJI Mini 3

Best for Creators on a Budget
Jump ToDetails

$469.00 at Amazon
See It

Autel Robotics Evo Lite+

Best for Long Flights
Jump ToDetails

$1,259.00 at Amazon
See It

Autel Robotics Evo Nano+

Best 249g Drone Without Geofence
Jump ToDetails

$679.00 at Amazon
See It

DJI Avata

Best for Adrenaline Junkies
Jump ToDetails
$599.00 at Amazon

GFields · Dec 20, 2023

Day 10 (12/20): Flying over people

Operations Over People General Overview

The Operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over People final rule is the next incremental step towards further integration of unmanned aircraft (UA) in the National Airspace System. The final rule allows routine operations over people and routine operations at night under certain circumstances. The rule will eliminate the need for typical operations to receive individual part 107 certificate of waivers from the FAA.
The rule was published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021. Corrections to the final rule were published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2021 delaying the effective date from March 16, 2021 to April 21, 2021.

Below are some highlights of the rule.

GFields · Dec 21, 2023

Day 11 (12/21): Drones and careers

Although one can make some money as a drone pilot it might take time to build up your business. For the most part, many drone pilots that I know use it for some additional income.
This is a very competativer business because of the saturation of drones purchased.

The first thing you need to do in order to use your drone commercially is to obtain your Part 107
There are several companies that will help train you to pass the Part 107 exam. One is Pilot Institue, one of our approved vendors. Click here to get started.

There are also others that can help you get started with your new piloting carrerr. UAV Coach is a good resourse.

Thjere are also websites that you can obtain leads and jobs. To name a couple:

Droners.io
Drone Base - Zeitview
Fly Guys

When I first started I did several Residental and Commerical Real Estate site that where for sale at no charge to start building a porfolio. I then created a website to post my work and lead prospecte clients to me. Most of my work is now via direct contact.

Go slow. Don't get discouraged, and good luck

GFields · Dec 22, 2023

Day 12 (12/22): Drones for good

The Future of the Drone

Drones are (rather quickly) taking over the world. According to Market Research Reports, it is expected that the value of the drone market in the world will reach over $27.1 billion by 2021, that's an increase of almost 800%. However, the way that the drone market unfolds—how we will use the technology—has yet to be determined. [Continue Reading]

There are many stories where drones have been used for good/great things. They range from search and rescue to delivering medications to remote areas.

If you have a story to share, please do so.