k9education
lvl.1
Offline
|
cundare Posted at 2018-1-31 12:10
OK, I'm done with this thread. Virtually all the responses were just guesses, and DJI is apparently the most authoritative source available, since the FAA has not responded to my inquiries and has posted only ambiguous information. And no, the $5 is NOT the issue, for chrissakes, but this is something, as the lawyers say, upon which reasonable mindsd may differ. Anybody who can't figure out why the NY Times reports that the overwhelming majority of drone users do not register their units is welcome to go pay the $5 for a device that does not require registration.
But thanks for all the responses anyway. Unless I hear differently from someone with unambiguous primary-source informatio, the issue is closed: although registration is required for DJI's older models, the Spark falls below the FAA's weight limit, based on the way that the FAA interprets the statutory requirements.
There is no ambiguity in the FAA's guidelines on this matter. None. It states, quite clearly: "Unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds and more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft and operated outdoors in the national airspace system must register."
The uas_weights_registration.pdf document you referenced has absolutely no bearing on this topic at all. It is simply providing examples of drones which, under the assumption manufacturer weights are accurate, would not need to be registered. It even makes a point of specifying that any optional equipment added to the aircraft, such as an add-on camera or extra capacity battery, are not included in these weights and the document clearly implies that the addition of such equipment may push it over the 250g limit.
You can do whatever you'd like of course, but ignorance of the law doesn't absolve you from culpability. Perhaps you should take that $5 and put it towards a reading comprehension course at the local community college.
|
|