Drones for local sounding...

Does anyone use a drone for local sounding ?
What kind of drone ? Where can I buy one ?
Maximum altitude achieved ?
Thanks in advance -

In the USA, the FAA has a voluntary standard for model aircraft that limits operation to 400 feet AGL.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/1acfc3f689769a56862569e70077c9cc/$FILE/ATTBJMAC/ac91-57.pdf

The new legislation for UAVs picks up that 400 AGL limit as I recall.

That said, there are pirates flying quadcopters much higher (7000 meters?). Search Youtube for 'quadcopter altitude record'.

There is also guidance for flying "RC aircraft" as a hobbiest within 3 miles of an airport. It can be done with proper precautions.
Can you see the RC or quad copter from 6000 to 8000 ft away safely to operate it?

BillT

On Sunday, April 27, 2014 3:32:49 PM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
In the USA, the FAA has a voluntary standard for model aircraft that limits operation to 400 feet AGL.



http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/1acfc3f689769a56862569e70077c9cc/$FILE/ATTBJMAC/ac91-57.pdf



The new legislation for UAVs picks up that 400 AGL limit as I recall.



That said, there are pirates flying quadcopters much higher (7000 meters?). Search Youtube for 'quadcopter altitude record'.

Actually the FAA has no specific height limit for model aircraft. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (governing and insuring body for model competitions) has a safety rule that limits altitude to 400 feet within 2 miles of an airport, but allows other altitudes elsewhere and also with permission of the airport operator. Many of the model sailplanes are operating at altitudes above 3000 AGL when participating in XC contests, they are required to have a specific observer looking for full-sized aircraft to avoid collision.

If a model is being flow outside of a contest, and not by a member of the AMA, then all bets are off!

On Sunday, April 27, 2014 7:23:16 PM UTC-4, SoaringXCellence wrote:

Actually the FAA has no specific height limit for model aircraft.

That said, the FAA does advise in ac91-57:

"Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface."

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/1acfc3f689769a56862569e70077c9cc/$FILE/ATTBJMAC/ac91-57.pdf

Using the argument that they are not aircraft and that they are therefore NOT under FAA jurisdiction, some UAV operators are asserting their rights to fly their aircraft in Class B airspace.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngogl...ne-pilot-case/

son_of_flubber wrote, On 5/3/2014 5:33 PM:
Using the argument that they are not aircraft and that they are
therefore NOT under FAA jurisdiction, some UAV operators are
asserting their rights to fly their aircraft in Class B airspace.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngogl...ne-pilot-case/

I did not see anything in the article related to Class B airspace.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorg...ad-the-guide-1
- "Transponders in Sailplanes - Feb/2010" also ADS-B, PCAS, Flarm
http://tinyurl.com/yb3xywl

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 2:33:05 AM UTC+2, son_of_flubber wrote:
Using the argument that they are not aircraft and that they are therefore NOT under FAA jurisdiction, some UAV operators are asserting their rights to fly their aircraft in Class B airspace.



http://www.forbes.com/sites/johngogl...ne-pilot-case/

Hmmm .... a drone in class B airspace? Wait until one of them gets sucked through an engine or leaves a long lasting impression in the nose of a jet. I am always shocked by what stupid things people do just because they can and because there are no rules saying you can't do it. The same bunch of guys then cries wolf for 'government over-reach' or 'over-regulation', if everything gets regulated. Common sense seems to have vanished!
GM

On Sunday, April 27, 2014 5:15:28 PM UTC-4, wrote:
Does anyone use a drone for local sounding ?

What kind of drone ? Where can I buy one ?

Maximum altitude achieved ?

Thanks in advance -

RC Glider would be a better choice but why? It's easy enough to determine soaring conditions based on known variables.

https://www.ssa.org/myhome.asp?mbr=3...ow=blog&id=141

Quadcopter? Poor choice!