Old Man
Active Member
From the friendly folks at ACUAS.ORG comes a simplified statement for the new multirotor enthusiast that expands a bit on the FAA/AMA use video. The text has been copied and pasted from the site in two posts to fit the 10,000 character requirements but the PDF it attached in full to the first post. For those that like or agree with it, please feel free to pass it on to individuals and businesses that would also give a copy to buyers of new multirotors. If you would, please remember where it came from. We're working hard to provide a lasting service to the multirotor professional, and looking out for the activities of the amateurs to help assure our futures.
This information should be included in EVERY “drone” sold in the United States today:
Information for Safe and Successful Flying
Welcome to the exciting world of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You are about to begin participating in an activity that is fun, fulfilling, and challenging. This hobby requires an individual to be ready and willing to learn, and to accept personal responsibility.
Your aircraft should contain a set of instructions
Read the instructions that came with your aircraft. If your purchase selection does not contain a set of comprehensive instructions, contact the vendor or supplier or choose a different product. You WILL need them and using them will greatly assist you in understanding your UAS, resolving problems, and preventing the loss or destruction of your aircraft. A lack of instructions may mean the manufacturer is unable to accurately describe how to use their product or is not concerned with their customers. If the manufacturer cannot explain how to use their product, how can they expect you to be able to safely operate it? Before connecting the batteries or turning on the power switch for the first time, you will need to learn what each flight mode or switch function does on your aircraft and transmitter. Before your first flight, you will need to learn how to program and calibrate the settings and safety features of both your transmitter and the aircraft’s flight controller (internal computer). You will also need to learn how your batteries should be safely charged, the minimum level to which they can be safely discharged, and how to monitor or calculate when the batteries become low and it is time to end a flight.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AIRCRAFT AND ITS ACTIONS
UAS including multirotor helicopters have been defined as “Aircraft” by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and as such subject the operators to the same laws and regulations applied to full scale aircraft, even when flown as a hobby activity. “Careless or reckless operation” is punishable by law and can result in an operator being fined or prosecuted. It is YOUR responsibility to become informed of local or federal regulations that are in place to protect the general public, other aviators, and property.
YOUR AIRCRAFT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE, OTHER AIRCRAFT, OR PROPERTY
Anything that has mass develops kinetic energy when it moves. More speed and/or more mass equal more kinetic energy. Your aircraft, even if very small and light, can cause significant or severe bodily injury should it strike a person while in flight or fall from the sky. Propellers can and do cause severe laceration injuries. Use extreme care to ensure neither you nor anyone else ever has the opportunity to come into contact with a spinning propeller. Other components of your aircraft may pose special risks as well. The batteries of your aircraft likely contain chemicals that are toxic or combustible. Some types of batteries can catch fire or explode when damaged.
YOUR AIRCRAFT HAS LIMITATIONS AND CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF CONTROL, FALL, OR FLY AWAY
The components of your UAS have operational and physical limits which can result in component failure if exceeded. Electronic components and motors can overheat or fail in extreme temperatures or if exposed to water. Propellers and airframes can break if subjected to extreme forces or contact with other objects. Adding weight or changing the balance of your UAS may reduce your ability to maintain positive control. Most UAS use a radio transmitter of some sort for command and control of the aircraft in flight. Whether a cell phone or tablet, a high-end radio control (RC) transmitter, or a “toy” grade device, you must know your equipment’s limitations before you fly. Flying near the range limit of your flight system can be dangerous. If you exceed the range limit of your transmitter, you can lose control of the aircraft, and/or completely lose the aircraft in a “fly away”. Depending on your aircraft’s software, you may be able to program automatic fail-safes such as “return-to-home” to help prevent this.
The radio frequencies used by this aircraft are not secure or 100% reliable.
Interference can cause a sudden loss of control
Most UAS and associated equipment operate on public radio frequencies such as 2.4gHz and 5.8gHz. These frequencies can be blocked by obstructions such as heavy vegetation or structures. Be aware that garage door openers, cell phones, home internet routers and other consumer devices also use the same frequency ranges. Although normally these items pose no conflict, there are some devices broadcasting on these frequencies which are more powerful than your transmitter and can overwhelm your system, causing loss of flight control. The broadcasting source closest to your aircraft will generally have signal priority so keep your aircraft close enough to assure you maintain control of it at all times. Flying near power lines, sources of large magnetic fields such as locomotive engines, or large metal structures such as antennae or fencing can disrupt or block radio and GPS signals and cause loss of flight control.
Flying at high altitudes or in the same airspace as manned aircraft could result in a collision and could KILL someone
Your aircraft is capable of flying at altitudes where manned aircraft may be operating. If a manned aircraft were to collide with even a small UAS, the result could be catastrophic and people could die. It is your responsibility to keep your aircraft away from other aircraft at all times. The current flight advisory from the FAA suggests a maximum altitude of 400’ above the ground for hobby UAS. Although an advisory, should your aircraft place another person or property in jeopardy that advisory would be used by the NTSB or other civil court as a foundation for your prosecution, and later fine or jail time. Flight advisories are frequently used to demonstrate the willingness of a pilot or flight operator to fly in a careless or reckless manner. You ARE subject to the same laws and regulations as a full-scale pilot. If you cannot see your aircraft it can be considered out of control.
www.acuas.org
This information should be included in EVERY “drone” sold in the United States today:
Information for Safe and Successful Flying
Welcome to the exciting world of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). You are about to begin participating in an activity that is fun, fulfilling, and challenging. This hobby requires an individual to be ready and willing to learn, and to accept personal responsibility.
Your aircraft should contain a set of instructions
Read the instructions that came with your aircraft. If your purchase selection does not contain a set of comprehensive instructions, contact the vendor or supplier or choose a different product. You WILL need them and using them will greatly assist you in understanding your UAS, resolving problems, and preventing the loss or destruction of your aircraft. A lack of instructions may mean the manufacturer is unable to accurately describe how to use their product or is not concerned with their customers. If the manufacturer cannot explain how to use their product, how can they expect you to be able to safely operate it? Before connecting the batteries or turning on the power switch for the first time, you will need to learn what each flight mode or switch function does on your aircraft and transmitter. Before your first flight, you will need to learn how to program and calibrate the settings and safety features of both your transmitter and the aircraft’s flight controller (internal computer). You will also need to learn how your batteries should be safely charged, the minimum level to which they can be safely discharged, and how to monitor or calculate when the batteries become low and it is time to end a flight.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AIRCRAFT AND ITS ACTIONS
UAS including multirotor helicopters have been defined as “Aircraft” by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and as such subject the operators to the same laws and regulations applied to full scale aircraft, even when flown as a hobby activity. “Careless or reckless operation” is punishable by law and can result in an operator being fined or prosecuted. It is YOUR responsibility to become informed of local or federal regulations that are in place to protect the general public, other aviators, and property.
YOUR AIRCRAFT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE, OTHER AIRCRAFT, OR PROPERTY
Anything that has mass develops kinetic energy when it moves. More speed and/or more mass equal more kinetic energy. Your aircraft, even if very small and light, can cause significant or severe bodily injury should it strike a person while in flight or fall from the sky. Propellers can and do cause severe laceration injuries. Use extreme care to ensure neither you nor anyone else ever has the opportunity to come into contact with a spinning propeller. Other components of your aircraft may pose special risks as well. The batteries of your aircraft likely contain chemicals that are toxic or combustible. Some types of batteries can catch fire or explode when damaged.
YOUR AIRCRAFT HAS LIMITATIONS AND CAN EXPERIENCE LOSS OF CONTROL, FALL, OR FLY AWAY
The components of your UAS have operational and physical limits which can result in component failure if exceeded. Electronic components and motors can overheat or fail in extreme temperatures or if exposed to water. Propellers and airframes can break if subjected to extreme forces or contact with other objects. Adding weight or changing the balance of your UAS may reduce your ability to maintain positive control. Most UAS use a radio transmitter of some sort for command and control of the aircraft in flight. Whether a cell phone or tablet, a high-end radio control (RC) transmitter, or a “toy” grade device, you must know your equipment’s limitations before you fly. Flying near the range limit of your flight system can be dangerous. If you exceed the range limit of your transmitter, you can lose control of the aircraft, and/or completely lose the aircraft in a “fly away”. Depending on your aircraft’s software, you may be able to program automatic fail-safes such as “return-to-home” to help prevent this.
The radio frequencies used by this aircraft are not secure or 100% reliable.
Interference can cause a sudden loss of control
Most UAS and associated equipment operate on public radio frequencies such as 2.4gHz and 5.8gHz. These frequencies can be blocked by obstructions such as heavy vegetation or structures. Be aware that garage door openers, cell phones, home internet routers and other consumer devices also use the same frequency ranges. Although normally these items pose no conflict, there are some devices broadcasting on these frequencies which are more powerful than your transmitter and can overwhelm your system, causing loss of flight control. The broadcasting source closest to your aircraft will generally have signal priority so keep your aircraft close enough to assure you maintain control of it at all times. Flying near power lines, sources of large magnetic fields such as locomotive engines, or large metal structures such as antennae or fencing can disrupt or block radio and GPS signals and cause loss of flight control.
Flying at high altitudes or in the same airspace as manned aircraft could result in a collision and could KILL someone
Your aircraft is capable of flying at altitudes where manned aircraft may be operating. If a manned aircraft were to collide with even a small UAS, the result could be catastrophic and people could die. It is your responsibility to keep your aircraft away from other aircraft at all times. The current flight advisory from the FAA suggests a maximum altitude of 400’ above the ground for hobby UAS. Although an advisory, should your aircraft place another person or property in jeopardy that advisory would be used by the NTSB or other civil court as a foundation for your prosecution, and later fine or jail time. Flight advisories are frequently used to demonstrate the willingness of a pilot or flight operator to fly in a careless or reckless manner. You ARE subject to the same laws and regulations as a full-scale pilot. If you cannot see your aircraft it can be considered out of control.
www.acuas.org