It appears that both Part 107 and the 44809 recreational rules for the US require that the pilot of a drone be able to control the drone throughout the flight and override any automated flight modes. This would appear to prohibit flying the Neo in the stand-alone mode without a phone or controller. The discussion begins at about 3:45 in the video.
Illegal to fly Neo without controller in the US?
- Thread starter MS Coast
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Very interesting. However, I can't imagine the FAA getting overly worked up over a NEO flying autonomously when it would have a hard time killing a bug at full speed. I always use the remote as I'm old school and like to have full control and have tried auto-flying with my granddaughter but when she took off running the NEO sped up and scared her so much she fell. I guess time will tell.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I agree that it's not showing up brightly on the FAA's radar. But it's a good example of the developing need for modifications to the regulations to account for such new models.
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Cafguy
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This is the thing I love most about Mini Whoops! There is only a slim chance of ever hurting someone really. 30-60 grams even at full speed only smarts for a second. BUT I suppose in reality Drones are Drones- SO I would think you would need to follow the rules.
I have admitted on this or the Mavic forum of going out to my backyard with no spotter and flying my tinyhawk around the swingset.....Well the comments were not encouraging to say the least lol. Remember we are talking 60 grams with props in a cage.
SO are you busting a reg...Maybe....BUT No one will ever fine you for doing it!
I must say those members who do not live in the U.S. must picture a fleet of "Drone Police" vehicles with uniformed officials running around, watching the skies, Just itching to write a ticket!
The reality really is that if you are a recreational Drone pilot in the U.S. You will never in your life meet a person with the Authority to write you any sort of ticket for your Drone or RC activities. The most the police will do ( if they were trained to) Is ask for a TRUST card. If you don't have one they will tell you to stop. That's even if the police care your flying your Drone.
We are flying on the honor system in the U.S. for now. If you do something Stupid (I don't think flying a neo is in any way..) Then you should be fined. A tinywhoop to me is the same as tossing a Nerf ball around..... and that's legal.
I have admitted on this or the Mavic forum of going out to my backyard with no spotter and flying my tinyhawk around the swingset.....Well the comments were not encouraging to say the least lol. Remember we are talking 60 grams with props in a cage.
SO are you busting a reg...Maybe....BUT No one will ever fine you for doing it!
I must say those members who do not live in the U.S. must picture a fleet of "Drone Police" vehicles with uniformed officials running around, watching the skies, Just itching to write a ticket!
The reality really is that if you are a recreational Drone pilot in the U.S. You will never in your life meet a person with the Authority to write you any sort of ticket for your Drone or RC activities. The most the police will do ( if they were trained to) Is ask for a TRUST card. If you don't have one they will tell you to stop. That's even if the police care your flying your Drone.
We are flying on the honor system in the U.S. for now. If you do something Stupid (I don't think flying a neo is in any way..) Then you should be fined. A tinywhoop to me is the same as tossing a Nerf ball around..... and that's legal.
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We, in Europe, think something similar about hacking drones and radios to fcc mode. Not legal, but I just can't imagine that the police brings all the time a special tool with, to measure radiation.
Matches my understanding of a strict reading of the regs.
However, like all law, it's an imperfect instrument, particularly in anticipating the future. The regs will be updated to allow for X1 and Neo selfie flights, but its a long process. In the mean time, the FAA is going to ignore it administratively, as they should.
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NEO 317
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Shame on you for breaking the rules.
Does a dog count as a spotter for recreational use?
Definitely keeps an eye on it when flying and it does communicate by barking letting you know it's there.
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Shame on you for breaking the rules.
Does a dog count as a spotter for recreational use?
Definitely keeps an eye on it when flying and it does communicate by barking letting you know it's there.
In my case Ruby the "Rubinator" pug is more hunter than spotter when that thing's in the air
