Pilot challenges FAA authority to restrict use of drones.
 

An experienced video drone pilot is fighting a $10,000 fine by FAA, arguing that they acted improperly because they declared a regulation without having a "public notice-and-comment period".

A few industry bodies are supporting him, including the Motion Picture Association of America (who suggest that drones are safer on sets than manned helicopters) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International who think the US is losing billions in revenue, stating the drone industry will have an "economic impact" of $82 Billion between 2015 to 2025.


Drone Pilot Fights for Right to Profit in the Unmanned Skies | Threat Level | Wired.com

Not sure about regulating hobby crafts in residential areas, but getting whacked in the head with a fast moving 2kg drone in a low altitude buzz can kill you. :{

ask chuck connors about the advisability of using real helicopters.
he probably wouldnt agree with you.


(chuck was decapitated by a helicopter blade during the filming of an action sequence)

Would a ground-based operator of a remote control unit be a 'pilot'?

Was that before or after he died of cancer?
Chuck Connors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I think you got your 60's action heroes mixed up. It was Vic Morrow of "Combat" (not Chuck Connors of Branded) who was killed filming "Twilight Zone, the Movie". Pyrotechnics wet off before the helicopter cleared the danger zone, damaging the tail rotor and Morrow and two child actors were killed during the subsequent crash. The entire sequence was of course, caught on film, which was played during the subsequent civil trial.

The "experienced video drone pilot" stands accused of flying "in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another", and the citation includes a dozen specific examples of this including operating the aircraft "directly towards an individual standing on a sidewalk causing the individual to take immediate evasive maneuvers so as to avoid being struck by your aircraft".

Sound like a very strange choice of battlefield to fight this particular war on.

You might want to read the actual brief:

http://www.kramerlevin.com/files/upl...A-v-Pirker.pdf

It is the most careful dissection (and absolutely damning indictment) of FAA asleep the switch, make it up as we go along 'regulation' that I've ever seen; he hands them their arses, gift-wrapped.