I've been debating getting into UAS on the side too.

They are 100% safe as long as the operator uses his common sense! pulls a NOTAM if they are going to operate somewhere they might encounter a real aircraft etc.

Basically you got to get a 333 exemption and apply for a N number for your UAS, VERY easy stuff compared to most FAA paperwork.

Plus the margins are great, no avgas to buy, no crazy mx expenses, no crazy insurance costs, don't need a hangar, and so on. Plus a DJI inspire at 3k is quite a bit less than a Cessna when it comes to acquisition costs


The biggest problem with the UAS folks, is this anti authority "I do what I want" attitude, add that to the average huge lack of aeronautical knowledge, ranging from no knowledge of airspace, FARs, basic systems, airport ops, etc.

Long and short, see if there is a need in your area, apply NOW for your 333, and good luck.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_pro ... /333_faqs/

NineThreeKilo wrote:I've been debating getting into UAS on the side too.

They are 100% safe as long as the operator uses his common sense! pulls a NOTAM if they are going to operate somewhere they might encounter a real aircraft etc.

Basically you got to get a 333 exemption and apply for a N number for your UAS, VERY easy stuff compared to most FAA paperwork.

Plus the margins are great, no avgas to buy, no crazy mx expenses, no crazy insurance costs, don't need a hangar, and so on. Plus a DJI inspire at 3k is quite a bit less than a Cessna when it comes to acquisition costs


The biggest problem with the UAS folks, is this anti authority "I do what I want" attitude, add that to the average huge lack of aeronautical knowledge, ranging from no knowledge of airspace, FARs, basic systems, airport ops, etc.

Long and short, see if there is a need in your area, apply NOW for your 333, and good luck.



https://www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_pro ... /333_faqs/

I'll look into the 333. Thanks for the tip.

Has anyone on here successfully been granted their 333 exemption? I'm elbow deep in the process at the moment and it's kind of a considerable undertaking for someone not well versed in legalese...

Looks like there are plenty of law firms out there who would love to take care of the formalities for you for a small fee. (Think $1500 on the low end)
I am going to try it myself, using a couple existing successful applications as a sort of template for my own. It would be great to hear some input from one of you guys who's been through the process already.

My experience so far using and shooting with my quadcopter has been really cool. It becomes immediately clear than any of the danger associated with operating these things is entirely dependent on the operator, just like flying our "real planes" around. So far I haven't (as far as I know) pissed anyone off, grounded any firefighting efforts, or gotten sucked into the engine of a passing KingAir full of pilots & paws rescue kittens.

Crenshaw wrote:Has anyone on here successfully been granted their 333 exemption? I'm elbow deep in the process at the moment and it's kind of a considerable undertaking for someone not well versed in legalese...

Looks like there are plenty of law firms out there who would love to take care of the formalities for you for a small fee. (Think $1500 on the low end)
I am going to try it myself, using a couple existing successful applications as a sort of template for my own. It would be great to hear some input from one of you guys who's been through the process already.

My experience so far using and shooting with my quadcopter has been really cool. It becomes immediately clear than any of the danger associated with operating these things is entirely dependent on the operator, just like flying our "real planes" around. So far I haven't (as far as I know) pissed anyone off, grounded any firefighting efforts, or gotten sucked into the engine of a passing KingAir full of pilots & paws rescue kittens.

I'm on my 3rd rendition of paperwork!! Hoping this last one will work.

Dang that's not exactly what I was hoping to hear. Any tips on what exactly they're nitpicking?

Crenshaw wrote:Dang that's not exactly what I was hoping to hear. Any tips on what exactly they're nitpicking?

There not nitpicking, just me not doing the research, as in all the paperwork needed if you are a LLC!! , Then you need original sales receipt!
Just do you'r homework and research!!

It amazes me how easy to operate these things, scary the thought of non pilots out their tossing these things up in the air.

Had a friend demonstrate an aerial survey last week. He plotted a course on his iPad, threw the DJI up in the air, it flew out of site and plotted back and forth over a 12 acre site, came back in about 7 minutes and landed in his hand.

Couldn't even see the thing 90% of the time. This guy can't fly it himself, but his iPad can! No previous experience with RC or anything!

I'd be carrying a couple million liability if I went into business with this stuff!

it flew out of site and plotted back and forth over a 12 acre site, came back in about 7 minutes and landed in his hand.

That's a little beyond the required "line of sight". This is the kind of stuff that causes problems for everyone else.

Now Google wants class G airspace carved out for drones! Link

Remind me again what airspace we often use while back country flying? These things are a menace and loss of life accidents will soon happen. I hope the legal judgements are in the billions.

The frightening thing is that a drone delivery system probably represents revenue 100 times that of the GA industry. I'm of course talking out my ass but when you do business on the magnitude that these large retailers do, it's easily to snuff the small profits of GA and therefore carry a lot of weight in the lobby.

SkySteve wrote:

it flew out of site and plotted back and forth over a 12 acre site, came back in about 7 minutes and landed in his hand.

That's a little beyond the required "line of sight". This is the kind of stuff that causes problems for everyone else.

12 acres could have been 4 acres x 3 acres or 618'x824', certainly not out of site and thats if they were standing at 1 corner.

12 acres could have been 4 acres x 3 acres or 618'x824', certainly not out of site and thats if they were standing at 1 corner.

Yes, it "could have been", but the OP clearly stated, "it flew out of sight..."

SkySteve wrote:

12 acres could have been 4 acres x 3 acres or 618'x824', certainly not out of site and thats if they were standing at 1 corner.

Yes, it "could have been", but the OP clearly stated, "it flew out of sight..."

OK got me there, I have flown mine up to 600 yards from me and still be able to see the machine.
He did say HE could not see it.

I'm a wannabe, & would appreciate any advice on types & cameras. Are some easier to fly for newbs?
Thanks (I hope)

NimpoCub wrote:I'm a wannabe, & would appreciate any advice on types & cameras. Are some easier to fly for newbs?
Thanks (I hope)

https://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3

Get an extra battery and blades.
Watch the videos.
Will take off by itself, land itself, and return to where it left from.
Almost to easy!!
Fly's itself, will follow you, will fly around a point, you adjust the height and radius. Set a GPS course and it will fly it.
Can order it from just about anyone. Amazon Prime worked for me!

Has a great camera, shoots video and stills.

The only trick is to do the firmware down loads. Not hard, just pay attention
Great Machine!

M6RV6,
How do you find the Phantom 3 flys in the wind? Any real-world experience?

SkySteve wrote:M6RV6,
How do you find the Phantom 3 flys in the wind? Any real-world experience?

Gets pretty nervous when it hit 30 kts, that is about as much as I have flown this one, but the pix and video are great.
You can see it working to maintain its position and hear it working.
Wish I would have had that technology in my Enstrom!!

Gets pretty nervous when it hit 30 kts, that is about as much as I have flown this one, but the pix and video are great.
You can see it working to maintain its position and hear it working.
Wish I would have had that technology in my Enstrom!!

Actually, that's pretty good performance! Most people I know who use the phantom say they are good to about 10 mph.

In my experience the phantom 3 seems totally capable at 20+ knot winds, it just may take a while to get back to you if you're upwind. While locked onto GPS it does an unbelievable job of staying within a really small space regardless of the conditions.

Way easier to fly than either an airplane or the little cheapo quadcopters for flying around the hangar.

Oops