AMA in Action 2014/06
Is FPV legal?
The short answer — yes. Operating recreational unmanned aircraft (model aircraft) using first-person view (FPV) is legal. The more relevant question may be, “Will it remain legal?”
There currently are no laws or regulations prohibiting the operation of model aircraft using FPV technology; however, in light of some of the anomalous activity displayed on YouTube and several reports of unsafe FPV operations, the appropriateness of FPV has been questioned by many regulators and government officials.
During the past three years, there have been numerous incidents where full-scale pilots reported sighting unmanned aircraft in proximity to manned aircraft and at heights well above the normal operating altitude for model aircraft. Because the sightings are generally beyond the visual line-of-sight range for most model aircraft, the use of FPV or other automated flight technology is suspected.
Some of the activity occurring is plain foolishness, but much of it is caused by an honest misunderstanding of the basic safety tenets for operating in the National Airspace System (NAS). All pilots operating under visual flight conditions are required to see and avoid other aircraft and obstacles on the ground. For pilots of radio-controlled aircraft, this means maintaining visual contact with your aircraft and the airspace around it. You must know its location and orientation in relationship to other aircraft to effectively maneuver your aircraft away from and avoid creating a collision hazard.
It’s not enough to merely avoid manned aircraft. Model aircraft must remain “well clear” of manned aircraft so that the pilot of the manned aircraft does not perceive the possibility of a collision. Model aircraft operating under the provisions of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-95, Sec. 336) must be “operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft.” AMA’s guidance for “See and Avoid” can be found in AMA Document #540-D.
The assumption here is that the model aircraft is being flown in airspace where there’s a possibility of encountering other aircraft. But what if the model aircraft is being flown where there is a near impossibility of encountering another aircraft, or at a substantially low altitude, perhaps even below the height of the surrounding obstacles? Would the FPV pilot be required to maintain continuous visual contact with the model aircraft, or could he or she fly around a tree or behind an obstacle, momentarily losing sight of the model?
Because we’re working within conceptual guidelines, there is some room for situational awareness and personal judgment. There may be room for slight latitude in such situations; however, a model aircraft pilot must always be aware of his or her surroundings and the aircraft’s operating environment, and he or she must never endanger persons or property. Pilots must be able to justify any deviation from established safety guidelines and be held accountable for their actions.
FPV enthusiasts must also be cognizant that FPV is under extensive scrutiny by regulators and legislators. The future of the activity depends on the willingness of the FPV/sUAS community to act in a safe, responsible, community-friendly manner.
The AMA recognizes that FPV is a growing segment of the aeromodeling activity, and this innovative technology has captured the imagination and interest of members and nonmembers alike. The AMA has a lengthy history of embracing new technologies and providing appropriate safety guidelines to allow new aeromodeling activities to transpire in a safe and responsible manner.
The AMA embraced FPV and in 2008 began developing new guidelines for this activity. During the past five years, AMA’s Advanced Flight Systems Committee has monitored the activity and progressively updated the safety guidelines as the technology has developed and as the interests of the community have evolved. The current guidelines for FPV and the use of automated flight systems can be found in Documents #550 and #560 in the Documents section of the AMA website.
It’s important that those who share our love for this hobby are well informed and participate in advocating for the rights and privileges of the aeromodeling community. Timely updates regarding regulatory actions and UAS legislation are available at www.modelaircraft.org. They can also be found on Facebook by “Liking” AMAGov and on Twitter at twitter.com/AMAGov.
—Rich Hanson Government and Regulatory Affairs
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
