Los Angeles, CA—Yes, I’m
still in mourning over the loss of my new Blade 350 quadcopter and it’s GoPro
3+ camera payload. Sadly this
magnificent machine disappeared somewhere around the 405 Freeway and Wilshire
Blvd.
I will now be getting a
replacement sooner than I anticipated!
The current FAA regulation precluding commercial use has been overturned
in a Denver Courtroom. I’m suddenly free to
use a drone for investigation or newsgathering video right now!
On or about October 17, 2011
Raphael Pirker of Zurich, Switzerland was commercially operating a drone also
known as an Unmanned Aircraft System over the University of Virginia. He was
paid to gather video by a communications company.
Pirker was also accused of
flying the UAS at extremely low altitudes.
The FAA claimed he operated his drone recklessly. Accordingly the FAA issued a civil penalty of
$10,000.00 against Pirker ruling that FAA did not follow law when they
promulgated the UAS regulations.
In Denver, CO on March 6th
2014 Federal Judge Patrick G. Geraghty reversed the FAA’s action against Pirker
and that nasty fine. The judge ruled that the FAA has no authority over small unmanned aircraft.
The FAA quickly announced
that they intend to appeal the judge’s decision. That may well take years to litigate.
In the mean time the FAA has
been grappling with some form of regulation of the UAS drones. That may be difficult since thousands of these
drones are in the hands of juveniles all over America. I say, LET FREEDOM RING!
If you need aerial
photographs or video I will now be at your service!
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