Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

[ArcticLight]

We are having a homecoming tomorrow for a US Navy ship.

I would love to get some aerial video from my r/c plane from half a mile out.

Maybe 1/4 mile.

What are the LEGAL rules when a carrier is in a channel on homecoming?

 

[jbuck88]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

What's the worst that could happen?

You could probably get some pretty good footage of that new rail gun.

Either way looking forward to seeing some pics.

Good luck

 

[doc76251]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Dun't know about the official rules but I can promise if you get too close your plane will disintegrate in a stream of 30mm shells. You'll probably also have a visit from some three letter club prior to the pieces hitting the water.

Best place to check with is the base PAO (Public Affairs Office) but you're probably a little late.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Grimm]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Since you asked from an FAA standpoint I'll give you a flowchart.
Are you within 3 miles of an airport
If yes: contact the airport and announce your intention.
If no: Fly
Give the right of way, do not fly in proximity of full scale airplanes' do. Donor fly higher than 400ft.
The FAA could give a rip otherwise.
OTHER authorities...well check your local listings.

 

[TNT]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Arctic,

If you get footage, post that up ASAP! That is a cool idea, although don't get in trouble. Remember, "I do not recall..." has been successful in the past.
Also, do you think you'll have any problems with radar? Especially if a phased array just so happens to be pointed at your aircraft? I'd definitely put the cheapy camera(s) on it for this one and leave the gopro at home.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Well there's a lot of questions, last time they powered up they warned everyone 2.4ghz would be unavailable.

The channel is 1/2 mile wide, my launching point is 1/4 mile from the channel, giving me half a mile.

Landing would be the hard part but the streets are usually pretty deserted down there - it's on my gunsmiths street...

SO we'll see, I'm going to go home and charge batteries just in case, the plane is waiting on a new GoPro camera holder but I can tape up the old one.

I *JUST* got the new lens on the GoPro this afternoon too.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity LOL

no to 3 miles airport.

The FAA does not have a rule about 400 feet, the AMA has a GUIDELINE of that but I don't follow the AMA on FPV because they want you to keep the plane in visible sight distance....and half a mile away is not visible sight distance.

AMA does not embrace FPV...

We'll see, besides the announced time - they usually get here a couple hours early...

 

[Grimm]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Arctic you may want to take another look at AC 91-57.
The FAA DOES have a 400ft ceiling on R/Cs always has in my lifetime.
It's under 3. Operating Standards
C. Do not operate model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface.

You are correct that the AMA is a guideline, the FAAs is regulatory. Frequently broken, but still in black and white. It's totally up to you what you close to do, I won't say I've NEVER flown above 400ft...

 

[WindDoper]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

I wouldn't do it. The NCIS guys might show up looking for your spy pictures and take you away as a declared enemy of the state with the new laws etc. Don't risk it man!

 

[rrflyer]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

I get your excitement... I'm a full time
Pilot and former RC buff as well as semi-pro photog.

All that being said... Doing something that In someway might delay or defer these guys homecoming is beyond thought.

Go down... Stand a flag.. Say thank you.

From me as well

 

[Mustafa]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Ok, all this being said, remember the movie Crimson Tide? I was told that the footage they got of the Alabama was not "authorized" by the Navy, and the sub dove as soon as it possibly could to avoid the helo that was filming it.

The Navy says no "vessel" may approach within 500 yards of a Navy ship without permission and within 100 yards under any circumstances.

As for the FAA, I"m not up on RC aircraft, but I know you can't fly a regular aircraft within 500 feet of another vessel.

As for the radar...they probably aren't going to be blasting away with that thing in a small channel in the US. Same goes for CWIS...probably aren't gonna have that sucker turned on where stray rounds (and there are gonna be LOTS) would fall on populated areas.

Of course, if the Navy figures out you are doing it...they will almost certainly send someone over to have a quiet word with you...

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Well we had 25mph winds and the ship came without me flying.

So there is no concern

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grimm</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Arctic you may want to take another look at AC 91-57.
The FAA DOES have a 400ft ceiling on R/Cs always has in my lifetime.
It's under 3. Operating Standards
C. Do not operate model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface.

You are correct that the AMA is a guideline, the FAAs is regulatory. Frequently broken, but still in black and white. It's totally up to you what you close to do, I won't say I've NEVER flown above 400ft... </div></div>

FYI The 400 ft thing is also an FAA advisory, although with the new regs coming it may become law.

At this time it is "advised" and sure, I will do that whenever I can.

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/91-57.pdf

 

[maxpower220]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Navy ships are not armed going into or out of port. Unless you are within the confines of Class, b,c,or d airport airspace, no problems.
Now, you may have interference with your R/C radio station. Radar on the ship may break your ability to control the aircraft. Freq, range, radar usage will vary too much to know.

 

[Grimm]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Am not excited about models entering into the FARs. Regulate UAS sure, and define models and UAS and then Fuck Off. I have a whole rant over it but it's not for here.

I have heard 2nd or 3rd hand that the FAA has imposed civil charges on modelers stemming from the AC. I throw in my own grain of salt since they aren't supposed to carry the rule of law, but it's worth a warning.

What kind of plane did you take up to 1200? Size, wieght, instrumentation? Sounds pretty cool; was it that twin star type deal?

 

[kmrtnsn]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Does the FAA issue NOTAMS regarding flights over the waterways or are there any other flight restrictions over the port/base? There usually are over/near military installations. violation of such isn't an area that you want to tread into if you like owning guns.

 

[kmrtnsn]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

You may also find this enlightening,

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=32:5.1.1.6.30&idno=32

 

[kmrtnsn]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

I just pulled up current view of the VFR Sectional for KSEA (Seattle) and in a big purple box over Naval Base Bremerton it says,

"For reasons of national security pilots are requested to avoid flight at or below 2900MSL in this area."

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Need an official FAA/Pilot question answered, fast

Cool, Good info, Thanks - I'm going to avoid the whole mess and go fly up in the mountains.

The carriers UHF s ystems are on the same freq as my R/C link is (433mhz) - or close enough. HALF of the towns garage door openers failed when they left!!!

So Yeah, hey if you have a pic of that purple box can ya send it, one of our parks is "Close", ie 2 miles close, and I do want to go fly there...

Tx,