I'm not educated as to the AMA's motives/practices/policies and therefore cannot speculate as to whether or not they are destructive to UAV community or not. My sense is that if they are endorsing this Bill, they are in cahoots with AirMap. As for AirMap, I have a bit more insight and experience with. First of all, I am not stating anything as fact. Rather my understanding from what I have been told and experienced to date.
As you can probably deduce, I am passionate about this kind of subject. I began flying about 4 years after the FAA was founded, so I've grown up with "it". Hence, it's easy for me to say "go along to get along" since it's the only system I've ever known and I'm alive today, in part, because of "it".
It's my understanding that AirMap is a US Government funded service having sought and received over $40m in public funding to date. As such, it's FREE to use and will remain so as long as they receive Federal funding. The potential revenue aspect for AirMap likely comes from selling the collected data, hence, more data, more money. The Bill fits nicely into that model.
I have contacted AirMap for clarification.
In the meantime, this is a step in the direction to offering a seat at the adult table. The US Air Control system is like a big sandbox with the modeling community playing in one corner, military in another, private aviation in the third and commercial in the fourth. Then comes the UAV "kid" carrying his drone wondering where he can play. At first he isn't given the time of day and is shunned like Forrest Gump trying to get a seat on the school bus. Play nice and someone will clear a spot for you in their space. But your going to have to play by their rules because all the corners are already occupied.
The lighter news - About a month ago, my FAA-employed hanger rat buddy and I grabbed our pumpkins, jumped in the T-6 and headed to the San Jose airport (South of San Francisco for the geographically challenged). The intent was to experience the LAANC system as it existed as of that date. The plan was for him to file online his intent to fly his pumpkin in an otherwise restricted area in close proximity to the airport while I flew pattern work in the T-6 to test the "other end of the stick" as a manned aircraft pilot.
Here's what we did and found out.
- We did not tell ATC of our intention prior to arrival
- We were in communication with one another via cell up until the time I departed.
- He used his cellphone and applied for approval to operate in the selected airspace.
- He received electronic approval before I could get the T-6 fueled - complete with an approval id issued from ATC.
- When I called ground control for taxi clearance, I was told that approved drone operations were in progress with the location and expected time frame.
- Upon receiving departure approval from the tower, I received the same notification.
- While I was in pattern, he requested an extension of his previously filed flight plan, which he received within 60 seconds.
- When his flight plan extension had been approved, I received notice from ATC of the extension.
- Yes, there were typos in the the authorizations and digital alerts. Get over it.
- Afterwards, we called someone in City of San Jose City office and asked if they had received a notice from ATC of our operations. It took awhile to receive confirmation, but they had. And the extension as well.
- No police, FAA officials, Airport Security showed up. There were a couple of kids curious about the drone and wondered if they could watch. The saga continues........
- No drones or operators were injured in conducting this test
I'd say that the integration of AirMap into the LAANC is akin to the others in the sandbox making space for the "kid" to play community. If someone makes money on "filling the hole", that's capitalism I suppose. Better a private enterprise take this task on that a Governmental solution.
If we can keep the control of the "UAV skies" within the purview of the FAA solely, we will be better off than abdicating authority to 10,000 entities. Talk about CHAOS on a massive scale! The only thing left will be commercial operations conducted by corporations.
Item last - As for Dianne, us hanger rats are not without some political clout. Originally, the bill she was a part of was intended to apply political pressure on the FAA in an attempt to force them to get off their *** and get control of (not kill) the UAV community in the interest of public safety. Smelling a skunk, we got into the political circles up to our knees (an effort I liken to walking through a swamp blindfolded), When we got there, we found a line already forming like a Disneyland attraction.
This began as a simple reply. Too much coffee, too much time on my hands. Suns up, time to fly.
Not sure if Canada will adopt the LAANC and ease the airspace flight restrictions up North or not. Wouldn't that be a first? A government agency relaxing the noose!
CAVU
