I use multi-rotor copters to fly movie cameras. This is just the beginning! Pretty soon, multi-rotors will bring you your lunch, deliver your forgotten wallet, bring you parts for your car, your prescription or emergency medical supplies, or stuff from the hardware store to fix that leaking pipe. Recent developments at the FAA will impact the future of aerial video shoots and all types of aerial services, such as land surveying and wildlife management, farming, search-and-rescue, etc. Nevada was selected as one of six states where testing is authorized for commercial and public applications. My company is now able to test equipment at designated facilities. This will lead to integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, and unmanned aircraft systems, UAS) into the national airspace. No doubt in my mind, this recent event is akin to the development of the aircraft itself. I believe what we are seeing is the advent of the Jetson's-mobile. Eventually (probably not in a decade), these small VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles will be smart enough, dependable enough, and strong enough to carry a human passenger, a family, or a bus-load of people. Your personal aircraft will take you to work, and your kids to school...just like The Jetson's. Probably won't make the same sound, though.
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Well there is always after market for that lip burbeling sound the Jetson's ship made... I think those quad copters are slick stuff. Amazon is preparing a fleet of them to deliver packages direct. Sorry UPS you have vandalized your last package soon enough. I am sure you will have to have a special license to fly one of them soon enough, I mean the CDC does not think the average citizens is qualified to rinse a raw chicken well enough to then clean their kitchen's good enough to thwart Salmonella ... LOL! Yuk, Yuk, Yuk....
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Haha, that's right. There will be a complete licensing process for aircraft and pilots, as well as ground support and maintenance people. The FAA is chartered with the responsibility to keep the National AirSpace (NAS) safe. So, they have to charge us (companies that pilot UAVs for profit) to come up with the rules, systems, and enforcement. "People" aren't smart enough to "fly safe", so "the people" have to rely on the government to govern the industry...be it aviation or chicken. The challenge with this "new" technology in aviation is that, it is already so inexpensive and widely available that it has the potential for major disruption. Also, malicious individuals could cause big problems for the existing commercial and general aviation traffic. Frankly, I am very surprised that it hasn't happened already. Any kind of incident would have a negative impact on the progress of this absolutely revolutionary, paradigm-changing invention.
Yes, they are fantastic for getting incredible shots. A multi-rotor can take off at the feet of an actor, fly around the location, and climb to a wide view for any camera angle. Great suggestions, Alex. I am an FAA licensed pilot, as well (fixed-wing). And, I use a lot of the same safety procedures as a "manned" flight. A check list will keep RC pilots out of much trouble...like taking off without the battery secured properly, or forgetting to turn on the camera or transmitter. Safety is the #1 priority. So, flights should be logged and checked against an accident database to start building a history and mandatory routine maintenance. I believe you are correct. Certain types of RC aircraft for specific applications should go through serious testing and pilots should adhere to a set of strict operating rules to make this technology safe around humans on the ground and in other aircraft. Most will complain, but I believe it's a necessary (not evil) step to full integration of UAV technology into the National Air Space. When that happens, we'll see many beneficial applications.