Tag: Recreational

The FAA is asking for input for its recreational drone test

Recently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted recreational drone pilots access to Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). This removed a huge bottleneck for the pilots as they were extremely restricted on where they could legally fly. Understandably the public wanted to know if they’d be held to the same standards at Part 107-certified commercial remote pilots, who are required to pass a knowledge exam.

The FAA has officially responded by issuing a Request for Information (RFI) this week. They are currently looking to identify and work with stakeholders in the industry on the administration of a new aeronautical knowledge test for recreational drone pilots. Thanks to significant technological advancements over the past few years, operating a drone is relatively easy to the point where they can be flown safely with minimal knowledge. By updating Section 349 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, the government agency plans to educate current recreational pilots and bring them into the fold of safe, responsible small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) culture.

The amended law will require recreational pilots to pass this newly constructed aeronautical knowledge and safety test, to demonstrate they understand the rules. The FAA is currently developing the testing material with stakeholders.

The amended law will require recreational pilots to pass this newly constructed aeronautical knowledge and safety test, to demonstrate they understand the rules. The FAA is currently developing the testing material with stakeholders. They are currently looking for third-party entities, testing designees, to collaborate with on administering the knowledge training and test content across various FAA-approved platforms.

Testing designees should have the ability to reach the widest audience possible and also develop a standard electronic record that will be issued immediately to the pilot upon successful completion of the test. They will also provide necessary documentation, similar to what a newly-minted Part 107 remote pilot receives, that can be shown to the FAA or local law enforcement if required.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to review the RFI and respond by September 12, 2019.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 17, 2019
LAANC to be made available to recreational drone pilots later this month

In mid-May, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) clamped down on recreational drone operators by issuing a notice that prohibited them from flying in controlled airspace plus other restricted airports. While not legally binding, the message was clear: hobbyist pilots were now expected to be in compliance with the rules and regulations laid out in 14 CFR 107. The hiccup? Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which provides near real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace, is only available for those in possession of Part 107 certification.

The FAA is fixing this conundrum by expanding LAANC to recreational users on July 23rd. The announcement was made in a recent webinar by Kevin Morris, an Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA. Also mentioned was an important caveat, relayed from an FAA official: ‘Section 349 hobby flights cannot exceed UAS Facility Maps limitations. If you want to fly outside UASFM limits (200’ in a 100’, or in a 0’ grid), you still have to fly under Part 107.’

Before LAANC, a collaboration between the FAA and drone industry was introduced to Part 107-certified commercial operators in October 2018, obtaining a waiver to fly in controlled airspace could take up to 90 days. LAANC automates the application and approval process by providing access in near real-time with 600 participating airports. A list of approved UAS service suppliers can be found here.

Before the expansion becomes official, the FAA is hosting a free webinar, ‘What is the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC)?,’ on July 18th at 4:00 pm, Eastern Time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

July 2, 2019
The FAA releases new rules for recreational drone users

For the past several years, thousands of hobbyist drones, plus fleets from over 116,000 commercial remote pilots, have entered the airspace causing concern amongst regulators on how to combat aerial interference. Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice stating that recreational pilots of unmanned aircraft must steer clear of controlled airspace and other restricted airports.

While the notice is not legally binding, if any operation by a recreational pilot fails to satisfy any of the eight statutory conditions outlined in the notice, the FAA has the authority to take enforcement action — especially if the safety of the national airspace system is compromised.

Included in the act was the repeal of Section 336, a law that exempts model (hobbyist) aircraft from new FAA rulemaking, otherwise known as the ‘Special Rule for Model Aircraft.’ The agency is now demanding compliance.

The new set of measures is the first step in addressing some of the rules and regulations outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, signed by President Donald Trump after passing overwhelmingly by a 93-6 vote. Included in the act was the repeal of Section 336, a law that exempts model (hobbyist) aircraft from new FAA rulemaking, otherwise known as the ‘Special Rule for Model Aircraft.’ The agency is now demanding compliance.

‘While recreational flyers may continue to fly below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace without specific certification or operating authority from the FAA, they are now required to obtain prior authorization from the FAA before flying in controlled airspace around airports,’ the FAA said in a statement Thursday. ‘Furthermore, they must comply with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions when flying in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.’

Prior to this notice, recreational pilots simply had to notify the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower before flying within five miles of said airport. Now they need to obtain the same authorizations as commercial drones in controlled airspace. Because Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is not yet available for recreational users, they’re confined to fixed sites within 5 miles of airports and Class G airspace.

The FAA intends to upgrade LAANC to allow recreational users to access the system. There are also plans for an aeronautical knowledge and safety test. Recreational users are required to pass and provide proof to the FAA or law enforcement if requested.

As the FAA’s Executive Director for UAS Integration, Jay Merkle, explains, ‘we view this as a very positive step forward for the safe integration of UAS. Including everyone under the same rules really does move everything forward.’

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

May 19, 2019
36 Energizing Images of Recreational Activities

Some of you may be on vacation this week or have kids on school break. So what do you do in your spare time – besides photography that is? What do you do with friends or your family for fun?

Here are some fun-filled images of people doing various recreational activities. Will it inspire you to take more photos – or try something new? I hope so.

Aces in the Hole by Mark Miller on 500px

Card game in wartime (1914 -18) by de Vries eric on 500px

The Gambler Series: Image 1 by Twisty Focus on 500px

Find the lady by Ivor Sheehan on 500px

CUBA #035 by Marco Marotto on 500px

Chess Game by Konstantin Nabatnikov on 500px

Chess by Anthony Hart on 500px

Stay Pawsitive by Antoine BRUNEAU on 500px

Easy to walk the dogs? by WALL-AN on 500px

The big stick by HerzMoment Fotografie on 500px

Walk by Jin Cho on 500px

Jaws, Maui. by Anton Repponen on 500px

Irish Gold by Roger Sharp on 500px

Air Creek by Jeff Dotson on 500px

True grits by Geoff Holman on 500px

"Blue" by Jure Makovec on 500px

The natural power of reading by Lara Zanarini on 500px

Novice Monk Reading by Erik Pronske on 500px

Do Not Disturb! by Kunal Khurana on 500px

Dance Class by M.A. Cabrera Luengo on 500px

The Dance by Richard Upshur on 500px

Flamenco Dancers Photo by Ben Welsh by Ben Welsh on 500px

Tango by Stefan S. on 500px

Chef by Paul Indigo on 500px

yiayia Katina is cooking by katrin zdragka on 500px

Sunday Morning by Klas Wong on 500px

Around the Winter Campfire by David Bair on 500px

with friends by Ben Canales on 500px

The Journey – One Stroke At a Time by Mark L. Benedyczak on 500px

The red kayak by Paulo Mendonça on 500px

Cave reflection by john spies on 500px

Catch by Jessica Drossin on 500px

Baseball 6 by Doug Day on 500px

Motocross Driver by Teemu Tretjakov on 500px

A golden moment with the Honda by Daniel Kvick on 500px

A Man & His Bike by Josh Whitman on 500px

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The post 36 Energizing Images of Recreational Activities by Darlene Hildebrandt appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

January 9, 2015
Floating Beach: Recreational River Barge Campaign for NYC

[ By Steph in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

Manhattan is packed full of world-class restaurants, a vast array of shops, a beautiful nature preserve and virtually everything else required to satisfy the modern urbanite – except for a beach. That might seem obvious; it’s an island built up from swampland, cut off from the sea. But that doesn’t mean beach-craving creative thinkers can’t come up with a way to incorporate one into America’s most densely populated city. City Beach NYC is a project seeking to build a floating beach park on a barge in the Hudson River.

Starting with a reclaimed barge, the project would create a two-level destination with shops and restaurants tucked beneath a curving, sand-covered platform overlooking the water. You can’t exactly swim in the Hudson, but the park would have misters for cooling off, as well as a large water feature that mimics the sound of the sea, drowning out the city cacophony.

Changing rooms, a surf shop and a marine science lab would also be incorporated into the 260-foot park. The plan is to permanently moor it on the west side of Manhattan, with the possibility of renting small personal watercraft like kayaks and paddle boards.

The creators of City Beach NYC are currently raising the first round of funding on Indiegogo to hire a team to develop the operational plan; additional milestones will build scaled 3D models, fund the services of architects and engineers, and gain permits. They’re hoping that the people of Manhattan want a beach badly enough to come together and donate. Sure, you could just cross a bridge and go to Coney Island or Brighton or Rockaway, with access to the actual ocean, but a floating beach with views of the city would certainly be a novelty.

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[ By Steph in Architecture & Cities & Urbanism. ]

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July 5, 2014