Tag: unmanned aircraft

Drone Safety Program by FAA : Drones Safety Program The US Federal Aviation Administration has launched a safety awareness campaign for drone pilots.Drone Safety Program will be accomplished with the help of YouTube videos and a dedicated website to help begineer drone pilots stay out of trouble. The Know Before You Fly initiative is backed by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International and the Academy of Model Aeronautics among others and is aimed at consumers, businesses and public entities alike. Rules concerning the safe piloting of remote controlled and model aircraft have been in place in the United States for many years and although drones appear to be a totally new class of recreational flying device, they fall under the same guidelines, hence the campaign's backing by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). "AMA's members have been flying model aircraft safely for nearly 80 years, and we want to take this opportunity to share our expertise with people who are new to the technology," said Bob Brown, president of AMA. "Our 175,000 members are intimately familiar with our safety code, which we take very seriously, but not everyone who buys an unmanned aircraft knows what he or she should and should not do. Flying model aircraft is a fun and educational experience. We want to ensure it's done as safely as possible." Advice to novice drone owners is presented as a list of dos and don'ts and although much of it may seem like common sense -- don't fly near airports or any manned aircraft is one if its tips -- other nuggets such as ensuring that the drone is checked over and tested before each flight and joining a drone-flying club might not seem so obvious. "There is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm around Unmaned Aircraft Systems, and the technology is becoming the must-have holiday gift," said Michael Toscano, President and chief executive officer of Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. The Know Before You Fly campaign fills a critical education gap just in time for the holiday season. We want to ensure that all prospective operators have the tools they need to fly safely and responsibly." The FAA's top tips for safer unmanned aircraft flight under Drones Safety Program : Fly below 122 metres Don't fly a drone beyond your line of sight Fly with a local club Take a lesson before your first solo flight Inspect your aircraft before each flight Don't pilot anything that weighs more than 25kg Don't fly a drone near people, stadiums, airports or manned aircraft Fly for fun, not for payment or commercial purposes unless cleared by the FAA