AIN Blog: Drones Uncaged!

Among the attractions at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh show (July 20 to 26) is a drone cage where visitors can learn about small unmanned aircraft, see them in action and even try some out. Earlier this year I wrote a blog criticizing the caging of the drones because while it’s fun to fly these devices, it’s more fun to be able to use their cameras to shoot photos and video of scenery more interesting than other caged drones.

The EAA just announced, however, that it received authorization from the FAA to open an area at Pioneer Airport on the EAA grounds at Oshkosh’s Wittman Regional Airport for drone and radio-control model flying. The RC model/drone flying area covers the south half of Pioneer Airport’s grass runway and will be open from 7 to 10 p.m. July 20 to 25. Visitors can watch others fly their models and drones or bring their own to fly. The flight area is restricted to RC models/drones weighing five pounds or less, and pilots must keep their craft with the prescribed pilot stations, according to the EAA. “Operations on any other part of EAA or Wittman Regional Airport property are prohibited.” Pilots also must be members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), which is providing a safety officer on site as well. (These restrictions don’t apply to the drone cage.)

There are other requirements to fly at Pioneer Airport, including an altitude limit of 400 feet, a speed limit of 60 mph, no first-person view mode (except for non-pilots), no flying for compensation or hire, no flying above people or structures and so on.

This is excellent news. Drone pilots will be able to get some fabulous photography from up to 400 feet, and the evening light might even result in some stunning sunset images.

The EAA, AMA and FAA deserve a lot of credit for making this happen. That it is happening at a largish commercial airport during a time when it is the busiest airport in the world is rather remarkable. It’s hard to imagine another country allowing this at one of their big airshows, but hopefully the AirVenture experience will be one step toward learning how to work with drones instead of blanket restricting them because of fear of new technology.