FAA Decrees that UAV's and mini-RPVs aren't Model Aircraft

   A new FAA Policy was published on 13 Feb that hit squarely on the head any idea of local authorities getting their drones airborne in the guise of model aircraft. Model aircraft regulations are relatively liberal. Doug Davis of the Unmanned Air Systems Office says that unmanned Air Vehicles will need a certificate of authorization and are required to operate under experimental aircraft rules. advisory circular 91-57.
   The Florida Sheriff's Dept is planning to contest the new rules when it introduces into service its Cyber Bug Parafoil. Davis is adamant that the 1981 era model airplane rules were written in a time when carriage of bulky video-camera equipment wasn't envisaged. The Cyber Bug is a Spy in the Sky and the FAA is looking at promptly granting it a COA (Certificate of Authorization) so that it can go on about its lawful spying business.         With the benefit of that piece of paper, it shouldn't hurt the unlucky citizen who wears one on the head when its engine stops suddenly. We think it'd be more important that the FAA insist that all such UAV's have very audible motors (or perhaps broadcast a quick PA of "Fore!" when the donk stops). At least when the engine suddenly cuts out, the sudden silence is attention getting for those in the "Lookout below" shooting gallery. Falling UAV's have already killed innocent bystanders in Iraq. In fact they generally tend to "fall" in a new category of "What goes up might come down anywhere".