(a) The remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system, and the visual observer must maintain effective communication with each other at all times. If a visual observer is used during the aircraft operation, all of the following requirements must be met: Specifically, here are the duties that must be carried out by that observer: You must have a visual observer to fly FPV legallyĪnd that visual observer has to be paying attention to the sky, not watching a monitor with the FPV feed. But… note that last entry regarding a visual observer. And you can’t do that while wearing goggles. The meaning here is clear: You need to see what’s going on. (1) The remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system or (b) Throughout the entire flight of the small unmanned aircraft, the ability described in paragraph (a) of this section must be exercised by either: (4) Determine that the unmanned aircraft does not endanger the life or property of another. (3) Observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards and (2) Determine the unmanned aircraft’s attitude, altitude, and direction of flight (1) Know the unmanned aircraft’s location (a) With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the person manipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight in order to: Here’s the first relevant piece.ġ07.31 Visual line of sight aircraft operation. Why? We contacted the FAA, which pointed us to some specific sections within Part 107. If you’re on your own, flying with your goggles on, you are violating the rules. We already knew the basic answer: You can’t fly FPV solo legally. What are the rules? The FAA’s rules on FPV flight Joe Cerreta, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University What are the implications of FAA legislation for flying drones like these? As the rule is currently written, either the FPV remote pilot or a visual observer must have line of sight with the drone at all times, so a solo FPV remote pilot, such as a person wearing goggles and flying without a visual observer, could not legally comply with the rules. The rules apply to either recreational or commercial drone operations. The main rule concerning FPV flying is the ability to comply with the FAA’s beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rules. Joe Cerreta (PhD), assistant professor, College of Aeronautics, UAS Flight Operations with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. And while there are some drones and fixed-wing RC aircraft that incorporate gimbals with head-tracking, that’s still not the same as seeing the airspace and the drone the way you can without goggles on. Is there something off to the side? Above the drone? Behind it but approaching? You simply cannot tell, as you’re locked into a fixed, forward view. While you can see the pilot’s view from the drone, you have next to zero situational awareness. That task becomes impossible once you have FPV goggles on. Can this pilot monitor the airspace around the drone? Nope. That’s why Visual Line of Sight is so important: If the pilot is maintaining direct eye contact with the drone, he or she can see if there are things to avoid. But the FAA, like its counterparts in other countries, also wants to ensure the safety of people (and vehicles, buildings, etc.) on the ground. In other words, it wants to ensure drones don’t endanger aircraft. It especially wants to minimize the possibility of an in-air conflict between manned and unmanned aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration wants to keep the national airspace safe. The FAA perspective on Visual Line of Sight On the surface, that would be true: If you’re out on your own and flying FPV, you’re breaking the law.īut there’s a simple thing you can do to ensure your flight is legal. The argument they make is that it’s illegal because the pilot has goggles on, and can no longer maintain Visual Line of Sight with the drone. Several people have suggested, in comments after stories and on our Facebook page, that flying an FPV drone in the United States is illegal.
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