Category Archives: Drones

Drones, UAVs

In September, Mexico issued rules banning operation of drones by non-Mexicans, nationwide #drones #quadcopters #UAS

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Para poder operar un dron sin que te ganes una multa debes cubrir ciertos requisitos. Te decimos cuáles son.

Source: ¿Cómo se tramita la licencia para volar un dron?

Anyone flying a drone over 25 kg mass must meet the requirements for a remote pilot’s license (see below) which birth certificate or document identifying you as a Mexican national, passage of necessary examinations, “proof of pscyhophysical aptitude”.

To operate a small drone (less than 25 kg) you do not need a license but you must register your drone and you must be a Mexican national.

This prohibits the operation of drones in Mexico by all foreign visitors.

Google Translation

The rules to operate drones will come into effect in December of this year, and if you do not comply with them, you can become a creditor, so we give you the steps to follow to fly it under the law.

According to the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, this is what you must do to fly an Aircraft Piloted at Distance (RPAS, for its acronym in English) or a drone in Mexico :

The drones are classified according to their size in RPAS micro (2.00 kg or less), small RPAS (from 2.001 kg to 25 kg) and large RPAS (25 kilograms or more).

To obtain the pilot license of the large RPAS:

1.- Written request.

2.-Be at least 18 years old.

3. Birth certificate or document that accredits you as a Mexican.

4.-Formats registration card that you of the Civil Aeronautics.

5.- Proof of payment of fees for training permit, exam application and issuance of license.

6.-Document proving having submitted and approved the practical and theoretical examinations established by the aeronautical authority.

7.- Certificate issued by an instruction center recognized by the aeronautical authority.

8.- Proof of psychophysical aptitude in force 90 days from the date of issue, issued by the General Directorate of Transport Protection and Preventive Medicine.

9.- The license has a validity of three years from its issuance and may be canceled by the aeronautical authority for irresponsible operation, use for criminal purposes and at the request of the interested party.

To operate a micro and small RAPS does not require a license but you must register it :

The registration is free and you can do it online, you will receive the document in 10 business days.

1.-First you have to register it before Civil Aeronautics before operating it. In order to register you must have Mexican nationality, be of legal age (otherwise the parent or guardian can do it) and fill out a form.

2.- Once the form is completed, you must send it clarifying one of these two options: for Registration of RPAS commercialized in Mexico or Regsitros of RPAS by owners as the case may be.

3.- If you are a natural person you have to prove your personality by attaching a digitized copy of your INE or any official identification.

4.- If you are a moral person you have to prove your personality by attaching a digitalized copy of the constitutive act (legal registration of the creation of the company) and the power of attorney of the legal representative.

5.- Take into account that you must have at hand: digitalized copy of the documentation that proves the ownership or possession of your RPAS (supported formats .pdf, .docx, .jpg or .png)

6.- Send an email to the address rpas@sct.gob.mx requesting registration for a RPAS, attaching the completed form to Exel, along with a printed version signed by you, manually adding your RFC with homoclave; also the digitized copies of the documentation that proves the ownership or possession of your RPAS.

7.- Finally, wait for your record sheet or the considerations to cover to obtain the same in the electronic address that you gave.

The regulation regulating the operation of drones in Mexico, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF), will come into effect in December 2018 and the fine for flying drones without a license could cost up to 403 thousand pesos. It is still a project and is subject to 60 business days for consultation.

This regulation is addressed to any individual or entity that owns or owns a RPAS.

Only State RPAS that carry out military, police, border and maritime patrols are exempt . These conform to other regulations.

Drones

Canada set to launch new #drone regulations #drones #UAS #UAV #quadcopters

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While this is Canada, I’m not sure how the “30 meters from people” restriction would work. It would effective shut down operations at many certified model aircraft airfields as visitors are permitted within about 10 meters of our runway.

Notable – requires that everyone pass a written exam, carry liability insurance and operate at least 30 m away from people. And that’s for drones less than 1 kg in mass (2.2 pounds in weight). Drones over 1 kg could not fly within 1 km of built up areas – which means they can be flown inside any city limit unless the operator has a Canadian’s pilot’s certificate. Drones over 1 kg must meet “a design standard” (how does this impact home made hobby aircraft?)

The proposed regulation changes are as follows:

Very small drone more than 250 g to 1 kg: Most recreational users will fit into this category.

-Pilot must be 14 years old or older and will be required to:
-mark their device with their name and contact information;
-pass a basic knowledge test;
-have liability insurance; and
fly at least:
-5.6 km from airports
-1.9 km from heliports
-30 m from people

Small drone more than 1 kg to 25 kg: This category is for users operating in rural areas (e.g., agricultural purposes, wildlife surveys, natural resources).

-Pilot must be 16 years old or older and will be required to:
-mark their device with their name and contact information;
-pass a basic knowledge test;
-have liability insurance; and
fly at least:
-5.6 km from airports
-1.9 km from heliports
-150 m from open-air assemblies of people (i.e. outdoor concert)
-76 m from people, vehicles, vessels
-1 km from built-up areas

Small drone more than 1 kg to 25 kg: This category is for users who intend to fly in urban areas, within controlled airspace or close to anywhere that airplanes, helicopters and float-planes land and take off.

-Pilot must be 16 years or older and will be required to:
-hold a pilot permit that is specific to small drones;
-have liability insurance;
-register and mark their device with a unique identification Transport Canada will provide;
-operate a drone that meets a design standard;
-follow a set of flight rules;
-get approval from air traffic control when flying in controlled airspace or near aerodromes; and
fly at least:
-150 m from open-air assemblies of people (i.e. outdoor concert) unless at least 90 m high
-30 m from people, vehicles, vessels

Cameras, Drones

Great suggestions for those thinking of doing drone photography

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The link below goes to a great article.

But I add tip #0 – make sure you are in an area where you can legally fly a quadcopter. Many enthusiasts live within 5 miles of airports and cannot legally fly unless they drive considerable distances. They may also find that there are restrictions at their destinations – no flying in National Parks or National Monuments and many state parks also prohibit drone flying.

Do read the linked article – a lot of good ideas, especially for photographers.

Source: Tips for Doing Drone Photography and How it Improve All Your Images

I learned to fly a quadcopter in stages. I started with a tiny toy that I could fly indoors.

I then made a detour into building my own quadcopter, which is fun, but I recommend buying a higher toy such as the MJX Bugs 3 and/or Bugs 5w and become proficient in flying before you build your own and definitely before choosing a $1,000 camera drone.

You will crash. A lot at first. Far better to crash your $80 Bugs 3 and learn how to replace broken props, burned out ESCs and motors on that than to crash your expensive camera drone.

I once read that it takes about a dozen flights before feeling confident in your flying schools. I think that’s about right. But … feeling confident can lead to getting cocky and doing more than you should, like flying faster, higher or further away, or flying in tight spaces such as between trees – and crashing.

Regarding building your own – mine actually flew – until I crashed it because I had neither the experience yet and I was simultaneously configuring and setting up my home made quad. Too many variables, all at once!

And since you are going to crash, practice safety. I joined a local model aircraft flying club and all of my flights have been on the model airfield. We have the space for safe flying – and safe crashing. We also have water and fire extinguishers on site and buckets of sand to put out Lithium battery fires.

FYI I post a lot of items related to drones and quadcopters on my Coldstreams blog. Check it out!

Drones, UAVs

New UK drone restrictions start today #Drones #Quadcopters

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  • Camera drones must stay at least 150 feet away from people
  • All drones weighing more than 250g must be registered with the government
  • All drone pilots must pass a drone safety test before allowed to fly
  • Drone pilots must use “safety apps” to plan their flights

“Recreational drone users must:

  • Always keep the drone within sight
  • Keep 500 ft away from crowds and/or built up areas, if your drone is equipped with a camera
  • Stay 150 ft away from people and buildings, if your drone is equipped with a camera
  • Avoid flying over or 150 ft near to open areas with more than 1,000 people present
  • Adhere to local council’s rules about drone flights in the area

The regulations set to become law

  • Drones must fly below an altitude of 400ft
  • Drones must not fly within 1 km of any airport’s boundaries
  • Drones weighing over 250g will need to be formally registered with the CAA
  • Drone pilots must be able to present their registration documents if requested to do so by the police.
  • Drone pilots will be required to take a drone safety test before they’re allowed to fly
  • Drone users will be told to use apps to plan their flights, to make sure that they are not entering unsafe or no-fly zones”

Source DailyPost

Elsewhere, I see people now posting videos on Youtube with modified control systems that use 4G LTE modems to extend the range of their model aircraft. And flying them up to 25 miles. All of which is clearly and obviously illegal.

Such actions, which are now occurring in the U.S. are literally begging the FAA to establish strict regulations over use of model aircraft and the eventual licensing of all model aircraft pilots. It will take just one incident – and instantly the FAA will ground all model aircraft nationwide until strict new regulations are developed and in force.

This is literally what these reckless model pilots are asking for.

(Note – I am an RC model aircraft enthusiast, belong to the AMA and my local model aircraft club. I am pointing out the obvious way that many new enthusiasts are wrecking the hobby in their disdain for common sense rules we have now.)