FAA: flying model aircraft inches above backyard patio may be illegal

If you live within 5 miles of airport, flying a model aircraft – or a kite or helium balloon on a string– just inches off your patio deck – is a violation of Federal regulations says an FAA representative – and can incur a $10,000 fineThe Federal Government Thinks Your Backyard Is National Airspace And Toys Are Subject To FAA Regulations.

Forget hobbyist photography let alone commercial uses. Since I have a Private Pilot’s certificate, I wonder if I can get my Hubsan X4 classified as an “Experimental” aircraft? 🙂

The FAA asserts that flying kites and holding helium balloons on a short string are subject to regulation by the FAA! Last week, a dozen crows were on my roof or in the front yard – each is physically larger and weighs more than my Hubsan X4! One is regulated a danger to aviation and the other is not!

Continue reading FAA: flying model aircraft inches above backyard patio may be illegal

What people search for on Flickr? Naked

 

I took at look at the search results on Flickr in terms of what leads to views of my photos. Last June I attended Seattle’s Fremont Solstice Festival which starts with a naked bike ride. The event does feature a large number of naked people in wildly painted bodies.

#2 and #8 in the list likely came from people who landed on a photo from the event and then chose to view the entire Solstice Parade album (some photos are NSFW and you must be logged into Flickr to see them.)

What people search for on Flickr

 

While not shown above, the next most frequent category of searches that land on my Flickr page are for comic con and cosplay (practically the same thing now days). I attended two small’ish comic con conventions in 2014 and posted photos.

I guess to maximize photo views I should just photograph naked bike rides, naked runs and comic cons.

FAA seeks cancellation of Advisory Circular AC 91-57 concerning model aircraft

Cancellation Memo AC 91-57.

The FAA says it is in process of developing a new advisory circular. Oddly, the FAA cites its authority to do this as the 2012 FAA reauthorization act, section 336 which actually says the FAA “may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if –” basically, its a hobby model aircraft. Thus, they will issue a new set of voluntary guidelines.

SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.

Continue reading FAA seeks cancellation of Advisory Circular AC 91-57 concerning model aircraft

Senator Feinstein to propose legislation to ban all commercial “drones” usage

A top senator wants to extend the FAA’s ban on drones – The Washington Post. Feinstein has never liked “drones”, but this latest salvo seems to be in response to the gruberized FAA’s government sponsored propaganda report on alleged “near misses”.

More on the Feinstein ban proposal here.