I was curious, if you built your own plane with it’s own onboard computer system, gyro system, and gps unit, programmed a flight, and let it execute it, would there be any issues with that, particularly laws about that?
I am assuming a simple aircraft, nothing powerful or fast. I would like to consider a camera system, but just to record the flight. I know there would be a possibility the plane could be lost as a result, but I am fascinated with the idea.
I am surprised no one has really done it, from my searches. People make models of the UAV’s for standard RC projects, but none that have computers to run the flight. One that you could program and wait to see if it carries out it’s mission.
I also meant to say low altitude, and away from airports and even small airplanes. Just high enough to avoid trees. So between 50 and 100 feet would be the ideal operating range.
All flight in the Unites States National Airspace System is regulated by, or in military use coordinated with, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under jurisdiction granted by law. The FAA regulates flight under the provision of US Public Law codified within Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 – Aeronautics and Space and CFR Title 14 Chapter 1 FAA(DOT) Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules.(See also Title 14 Chapter 1-5 Database.)
HERE is the FAA regulation dealing with UAVs: http://www.uavm.com/images/AFS-400_05-01_faa_uas_policy.pdf
Here is another link: http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/2006/060329uav-testimony.html
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