New drone rules in Del Mar

[mpallamary]

As more and more drones are being used by private citizens, it is creating a number of problems for professional Land Surveyors. It would be a neat idea if CLSA had a process to vet its member to be "Drone-Certified" or something like that, proving compliance with applicable laws and the land surveyors act.

It could involve a CLSA type certification that includes all of the important things like having a surveyors license and a proper FAA qualifications, all to be included on a simple, one page certificate. It would include a surveyors license, an FAA certification, and a good membership standing with CLSA. I think that would go a long way to assuring that what we do is sound and proper. They could be issued and good for one year, two years, or three.

CLSA could issue a press release about the certificate and it might help membership. I think it would be a wonderful tool that would help educate municipalities and law enforcement. All CLSA members would have to do is hand over a copy of its certificate or, make a copy. For areas where surveyors work, they could send them on to the municipality.

I think something like this could be put together in 90 days - 180 tops.

Any thoughts?

Also see: http://www.delmar.ca.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=676

[JoshPLS]

Since many drones have a more or less cheap entry cost (DJI, skydio, parrot, yuneec, etc.) it means this technology is accessible to more individuals, which exacerbates none compliance with FAA regulations mostly due to ignorance. The vast majority of drone operators are not surveyors and they are performing "mapping" for various sectors of our economy, which directly ties to the definition of Land Surveying as written in 8726(b) of the PLSA. In fact, BPELSG has already acknowledged this in at least one article IIRC (I will have to try and dig that up). The Remote ID law that was originally discussed as a NPRM (notice of proposed rule making) sounds like it is now going to go into effect in 2021, which will require all drones to transmit the location of the sUAS and remote pilot during the course of the flight. This has caused a "shit storm" in the drone market since many of these users went into the drone market due to the cheap entry cost I mentioned earlier in this post. Over 50,000+ comments were submitted to the FAA from hobbyists to licensed pilots fighting Remote ID due to a variety of reasons. Regardless if you love or hate the Remote ID regulation there is no doubt that it will change the game as a drone capable of broadcasting its location and the location of the remote pilot will increase equipment cost drastically. It could also just spark even further non-compliance. Time will tell.

The regulations that go into effect in the City of Del Mar seems to be a regurgitation of existing FAA rules from what I can see. The FAA already limits flight to 400' AGL, attaching weapons to drones, flying over people, etc. without proper waivers approved by the FAA. This reminds me of the gun control debate where we try and pass law after law to stop criminals, who clearly have no regard for laws to begin with! Some of these regulations such as "stalking people", "expectation of privacy", etc. are there to soothe scared constituents (Again, just like the gun control debate). While privacy is a right I personally cherish (unlike most of my generation, which freely post their most intimate moments on social media), I do feel that a lot of time these complaints come from the fear of the unknown by Mr Joe Public. While performing remote pilot work the interaction with the public can be categorized into two polar opposites. The first group, seems to be absolutely in love with drones and amazed with what the technology is capable of. The second group, freaks out the moment the possibility of a drone is anywhere in the direct vicinity as it could only be piloted by a peeping Tom. Educating the public should alleviate a lot of this fear.

I think what you propose with CLSA is a great idea. I know there is a lot of active CLSA members that would help with this process including myself and I am interested to hear from others on their perspective and interaction with the public as a remote pilot.

[mpallamary]

Great!

It sure would help the surveying community!

Here, in Southern California, there have been a lot of problems along the beaches with folks sunbathing, etc. At some beaches, they do not use suits.
There has to be a way to distinguish licensed professionals.