Re: Quad Pic of C&TS
| July 25, 2016 11:04AM |
A key for folks thing to keep in mind when shooting at that location.....or really anywhere within 5 miles of that location, is that there is an airport literally a quarter mile away, on the east side of Rt 17. Although the airport is private (not for public use), I have seen it used by apparently authorized aircraft during my many visits to Chama. In order to comply with FAR Part 107, operators of UAVs must contact the airport manager and obtain permission to operate. If there is an operating Air Traffic Control Tower at the airport, they must also obtain permission from Air Traffic Control. Fortunately, the vast majority of airports in the US do not have control towers, and Eastside does not have a tower, but the requirement to coordinate UAV activities with the airport operators is still there.
You can find information about the Chama Eastside Airport here.
Normally, if a UAV is operated below 400 AGL (Above Ground Level), there would be no conflict with manned aircraft, because manned aircraft are required to stay at or above 500 AGL, except when taking off or landing. And therein lies the problem. In the vicinity of airports, you will find manned aircraft below 500 AGL and there could indeed be a problem with UAV activity. Manned airplanes may be flying closed, rectangular traffic patterns around the airport, or they may be flying straight-in or straight-out approaches and departures. A normal glidepath is 3 degrees, which is 300 ft per nautical mile. That means that airplanes flying straight-in approaches will drop into the "drone zone" some place between a mile and two miles from the runway threshold. A collision with a UAV could seriously damage an airplane, cause injuries or death to crew members and potentially cause a serious accident, affecting not only those on the aircraft, but also personnel and property on the ground. As I have noted previously on this and other forums, the Feds take "drones" very seriously. They are treated as aircraft, not as toys. There can be heavy fines and other civil penalties for violations of the rules, and if there is an accident.....well, let's just say that "drone" operators may be in a world of hurt if they don't have liability insurance. In the event of an aviation accident, everyone gets sued. That's just the way it works.
Everyone please fly safe out there!!!
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2016 11:04AM by KevinM.
You can find information about the Chama Eastside Airport here.
Normally, if a UAV is operated below 400 AGL (Above Ground Level), there would be no conflict with manned aircraft, because manned aircraft are required to stay at or above 500 AGL, except when taking off or landing. And therein lies the problem. In the vicinity of airports, you will find manned aircraft below 500 AGL and there could indeed be a problem with UAV activity. Manned airplanes may be flying closed, rectangular traffic patterns around the airport, or they may be flying straight-in or straight-out approaches and departures. A normal glidepath is 3 degrees, which is 300 ft per nautical mile. That means that airplanes flying straight-in approaches will drop into the "drone zone" some place between a mile and two miles from the runway threshold. A collision with a UAV could seriously damage an airplane, cause injuries or death to crew members and potentially cause a serious accident, affecting not only those on the aircraft, but also personnel and property on the ground. As I have noted previously on this and other forums, the Feds take "drones" very seriously. They are treated as aircraft, not as toys. There can be heavy fines and other civil penalties for violations of the rules, and if there is an accident.....well, let's just say that "drone" operators may be in a world of hurt if they don't have liability insurance. In the event of an aviation accident, everyone gets sued. That's just the way it works.
Everyone please fly safe out there!!!
/Kevin Madore
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2016 11:04AM by KevinM.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
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