Why We Need Some Sort of UAV Regulation

I started using UAV's to scout fields in late 2012 in the early stages of interest in UAV use.  It's amazing the advances we have had in two years with UAV technology.  I started using a fairly rudimentary Parrot AR 2.0 Drone with a low mega pixel camera that is fixed on the front to now

Down Corn we would have missed by walking field

using a DJI Phantom 2 with a Go Pro on a gimbal mount that shoots amazing HD pictures and video.  We have used pictures to get a different perspective on field patterns and issues we would have never seen from the ground.  For three years we have also been using thermal imagery from a plane to better identify stressed areas of fields overlooked by traditional field scouting.  In several cases this information has proven invaluable to correcting or spotting errors and issues before they become problems.

The advances and increased availability of UAV's has also lead to issues that we cannot avoid.  It's easy to see stories in the news recently of UAV's being used to take pictures and videos near airports, flying aircraft, and in populated areas and sporting events.  Currently, UAV usage falls under hobby aircraft regulations; not to be used for profit, no flying over 400 feet, and not within five miles of airports.  These rules are to keep hobby aircraft like remote controlled plains away from VFR (visual flight reference) aircraft.  VFR rules govern aircraft use for aircraft flying using only visual reference to keep them away from other aircraft and regulating altitude based on sight.  Aircraft flying in the US are regulated to maintain minimum altitudes of 500 feet over land and 1000 feet over populated areas.

It's not hard to find videos on YouTube of UAV's violating hobby aircraft flight rules.  This is why we need some sort of regulation that UAV pilots can live by, and they need to be enforced.  Proposed legislation by the FAA and members of government look to put UAV's into more regular flight rules.  Proposed legislation would require typical pilot licensing, which includes 20-50 hours of flight time in an aircraft typically at a cost of $50-$100/hour with an instructor along with practical knowledge tests.  While this would weed out the bad pilots it would also weed out people like me who want some regulation and licensing, but don't want to pay $5,000 to $6,000 to fly a UAV.

Having a basic knowledge test, and a basic flight class along with carrying a license would be more acceptable.  This would weed out bad pilots along with creating a set of rules that everyone can fallow and will have the knowledge and willingness to as well. While having a licensing requirement may keep away the hobbyist it will also bring in the people sitting on the outside waiting to see what regulation there will be on UAV's before they buy in.  The largest growth and research continues to be in the higher technology and commercial UAV sector so I would doubt we would lose any interest and development in higher end UAV's by regulating the industry. 

Of course UAV's take amazing pictures and video of equipment so if you like harvest videos like most people check out my YouTube of some of my videos from this fall at www.youtube.com/agryguy