The FBI says it has received tips involving some 5,000 suspected drone sightings in recent weeks. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base closed its airspace when unmanned aerial systems — also called “UAS” — were spotted nearby on a recent Friday night. A base spokesman said that was the first time he recalled that happening.
Ethan Schreuder is UAS team leader for Woolpert, a Beavercreek architecture, engineering, geospatial and strategic consulting firm. He’s a survey technician and a certified drone pilot. He has been building and flying drones and remote control aircraft since the early 2000s and has operated those craft for Woolpert since early 2017, after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 rules for commercial drone operation were released.
“It’s a little crazy,” Schreuder said of the recent news. “I think people are just looking up more. You know, there are a lot of aircraft in the sky. And people are noticing them more.”
And while speculation may be tempting, he asks for common sense and a little perspective.
“If someone was trying to do something nefarious, the last thing they’ll do is put lights on it (their drone) to make it visible,” he said.
Schreuder’s advice to anyone who plans to give (or receive) a drone for Christmas: “Before you discharge the batteries and go flying, you need to look at the rules and regulations.”
Taking the test
His suggestions: Start with faa.gov/uas. Hobbyists may also visit faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers. There are guidelines and a required safety test at faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates.
By the way, the test — which is free and online — isn’t a mere suggestion.
“The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel,” the FAA says. “The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement.”
As a recreational pilot, you should register with the FAA if your drone weighs more than half a pound. Go to https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/#/. (Today in the United States, there are nearly 400,000 recreational pilots, some flying multiple drones, Schreuder said.)
Schreuder advises hobbyists to ensure their drone has a remote ID, broadcasting what he called the drone’s “flight serial number” or digital license plate.
Those signals can be picked up by free applications, he said. The signals allow others to see the make and model of a drone and its position, and where the operator is, with an app such as Drone Scanner.
While acquainting yourself with the rules and passing that test, feel free to test your drone indoors in a garage, family room or basement.
But before flying outdoors, know where you are, Schreuder advised. Outdoors in controlled airspace, “If you’re an inch above the ground, it’s a problem,” he said.
Know before flying
Any drone or unmanned aerial system flown in the United States is governed by FAA rules. Period.
“You cannot fly in controlled airspace, which includes military installations, without approval from the FAA,” Schreuder said. “Beyond that, for recreation, you cannot fly within five miles of an airport.”
To know where you are, check with an app such as Airspace Link, which uses your phone’s location to put you on a map, telling you about the airspace you’re in.
Woolpert has an authorization to fly in Wright-Patterson’s airspace under certain conditions. Late on Dec. 13, after the base closed its airspace after sighting drones, that situation temporarily changed while the base airspace was closed.
“If I intended to operate lawfully under that authorization on Friday night, uh oh — that airspace was actually closed. Airspace Link would help me identify that,” Schreuder said.
You can also check with the FAA’s Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability to get access to airspace rapidly. Airspace Link and other apps facilitate the sharing of information needed to get started.
There are also established zones for flying model airplanes. Visit this FAA web site or Airspace Link for more information on those.
Woolpert works with federal agencies to make sure employees are flying in accord with regulations. Schreuder said he wears a safety vest when working in public. When he is questioned by local police, he asks for a moment to safely land his drone.
“If someone comes up and asks questions, we land the drone and pause everything ... We don’t do two things at once,” he said.
It’s great to have fun with drones and UAS, said Colin Beck, a drone research engineer with Beavercreek’s Matrix Research.
Credit: JIM NOELKER
Credit: JIM NOELKER
“They are incredible enabling technology,” Beck said. “Do you think your gutters might be clogged? Pop the drone out and look at them instead of getting on a ladder and potentially hurting yourself. Want to take a cool video of you building a shed? Awesome — here’s a camera in the sky.”
“But with any technology like this, there is risk to life and property,” he added. “Respect the fact that these devices, even at a small size, can cause serious harm.”
The FAA has been taking strides to make information and rules available through apps that show where it is safe to fly (B4UFLY), and making resources easy to access, Beck also said.
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