Why is recreation becoming so hard?
I used to love to fish but with so many laws and rules I've about given it up. Where, when, how many and what is this fish? I can't just drop a bobber and relax and have some fun. License fees, launch fees and specialized knowledge required.
I live in a small city outside Seattle. We have a small, daylight only, VFR Municipal airport. The city has an ordinance concerning it. It says; Once you have complied with all FAA requirements prior to flying a UAS/Drone, hobbyist pilots are required to notify the ......... Municipal Airport if operating within the five (5) mile radius of the airport itself.
It gives a email address and phone number (voice mail).
The area is all CLASS G AIRSPACE
So I sent a email to get clarification as follows;
How much time do you require for notification to fly my <250 gram quad within 5 miles of the airport?
I would be flying strictly for recreational purposes at an altitude of less than 100 feet agl for less than 15 minutes at a time. Will you provide a yes or no answer or does simple notification meet the requirements ?
All other regulations and safety guidelines both federal and local will be followed of course.
Thank you for your response to this information seeking resident of ........
The response was as follows;
Hello John. Can you provide the location of where you will be flying it from?
Blue Skies,
Tim xxxxxxxx,
Airport Manager
I sent a response with the coordinates.
No further communication from him.
Did I just notify and receive acknowledgment?
I would of expected the need for more info such as date, time, duration, flight path and maybe more. But I didn't. Can I step outside and fly at will now in this area?
Clear as muddy water.
Notification is not the same as authorization. Or is it?
Guidelines seem to be the same as rules (laws). Or is it?
The City also has ordinances as follows; The city has implemented a strict rule prohibiting drone use over private property or within 50 feet of residential buildings and a strict speed limit of 22 mph.
The 22 mph law is well documented. The private property law not so much.
But it's my private property!
I understand expectation of privacy but this seems a little over the top.
I'll close my eyes when flying over the naked sunbather in their back yard. I promise.
I think her name is Karen?!
Is that what all pilots do? Yeah, right.
Can't fly in Nat'l, State or City / County Parks. Also illegal is drug use, alcohol, smoking and guns at parks but we all know how well that is enforced!
It's Seattle everywhere is a residential area including public sidewalks and thruways!
I may have to give up my recreational hobbies and go for Political Recreation. That's where all the $$ and fun is these days. Give me a couple million $ and I'll work up a study on this crap (might go over budget though).
Cheers,
I used to love to fish but with so many laws and rules I've about given it up. Where, when, how many and what is this fish? I can't just drop a bobber and relax and have some fun. License fees, launch fees and specialized knowledge required.
I live in a small city outside Seattle. We have a small, daylight only, VFR Municipal airport. The city has an ordinance concerning it. It says; Once you have complied with all FAA requirements prior to flying a UAS/Drone, hobbyist pilots are required to notify the ......... Municipal Airport if operating within the five (5) mile radius of the airport itself.
It gives a email address and phone number (voice mail).
The area is all CLASS G AIRSPACE
So I sent a email to get clarification as follows;
How much time do you require for notification to fly my <250 gram quad within 5 miles of the airport?
I would be flying strictly for recreational purposes at an altitude of less than 100 feet agl for less than 15 minutes at a time. Will you provide a yes or no answer or does simple notification meet the requirements ?
All other regulations and safety guidelines both federal and local will be followed of course.
Thank you for your response to this information seeking resident of ........
The response was as follows;
Hello John. Can you provide the location of where you will be flying it from?
Blue Skies,
Tim xxxxxxxx,
Airport Manager
I sent a response with the coordinates.
No further communication from him.
Did I just notify and receive acknowledgment?
I would of expected the need for more info such as date, time, duration, flight path and maybe more. But I didn't. Can I step outside and fly at will now in this area?
Clear as muddy water.
Notification is not the same as authorization. Or is it?
Guidelines seem to be the same as rules (laws). Or is it?
The City also has ordinances as follows; The city has implemented a strict rule prohibiting drone use over private property or within 50 feet of residential buildings and a strict speed limit of 22 mph.
The 22 mph law is well documented. The private property law not so much.
But it's my private property!
I understand expectation of privacy but this seems a little over the top.
I'll close my eyes when flying over the naked sunbather in their back yard. I promise.


Is that what all pilots do? Yeah, right.
Can't fly in Nat'l, State or City / County Parks. Also illegal is drug use, alcohol, smoking and guns at parks but we all know how well that is enforced!
It's Seattle everywhere is a residential area including public sidewalks and thruways!
I may have to give up my recreational hobbies and go for Political Recreation. That's where all the $$ and fun is these days. Give me a couple million $ and I'll work up a study on this crap (might go over budget though).

Cheers,