ORIGINAL: init4fun


[8D] A quick note to LCS ,

Last nite after we talked , I got curious and did some reading about FPV frequencies . I hate to just parrot the commonly held beliefs without peekin ''behind the curtain'' in order to ensure my facts are straight . I discovered that there is not only the issue of frequency , but also of how much power a transmitter is allowed to emit on that frequency . It would appear that the FPV pilot needs two frequencies that work well together and do not cross/interfere with each other . These frequencies can and do encompass the ''free'' band in some instances , but with some fairly limiting power restrictions . A pilot flying FPV per AMA document 550 will be within LOS , so great transmitter power is not needed at such comparative close range . But , when these flights begin to span more than a mile or few away , the transmitter power allowed under the free bands becomes woefully inadequate . This is when RF (Radio Frequency) amplifiers are employed , and the use of them puts the FPV pilot into the power levels that do require the Ham license .

Now , as to the insurance angle for everyone else , I can understand the AMA not wanting to insure FPV beyond LOS due to the increased risk of model plane vs civilian interaction . FPV per doc. 550 presents no more risk than any other type of RC flying as the model is being flown within the confines of an established RC field (or parkflyer environment) and subject to the safety norms of such activity . Once the flying begins to happen over people's heads as happens with ''unrestricted'' FPV , the risk is , in my humble opinion , too great for an incident of plane vs people contact . Even if this FPV is being flown within AMA parkflyer protocol , the parkflyer rules also state no flying over folks heads . This just seems good common sense / the model plane that's not flown over someone's head is far less likely to end up hitting that particular noggin .