scottgib wrote:I have a hard time understanding how we can control this with the current laws. Comment lawyers? I recently read an article that implied that some new laws/regulations are needed now that anyone can do this.
The short answer is we are putting on an event on public property. We can ask anyone to leave for any reason. This falls in the same category as doing burnouts, driving too fast off course, or generally behaving like an as*hole. If we see someone operating a drone, we politely tell them its not allowed by the event rules and they need to shut it down. Next step is to call the LEOs and have them deal with the person if they want to argue.
The long answer is drones are a huge gray area - the law has not caught up with them. I'm not an aviation specialist, so the following is based on largely what I've heard / read in the news, and is not intended to be legal advice.
My understanding is that non-commercial drones basically fall in the same category as RC aircraft. So long as they aren't a hazard to aircraft, they don't really fall under FAA regulations and no one really cares about them.
On the other hand, commercially operated drones (anything used for profit, like for example Killboy) are generally banned from operation in the United States, or are otherwise regulated like any other aircraft.
Honestly, this seems like a sensible (not something the SCCA is always known for) policy. We are talking about small aircraft that could cause serious injury to property or persons if they fail and fall to the ground. There isn't any kind of safety process these things have to meet. They may have all kinds of backups and failsafes, or they may be assembled with duct tape and bailing wire. Too many unknowns and liability IMHO.
