sidd finch wrote:This looks like a pretty cool idea for a drone.
For sure! But they need to better clarify that one's phone does not fly on board the drone -- rather, it snaps into the detached drone carrying case to then control the aircraft (not everyone will see the video demonstration). Currently, their ad reads:
AEE Aviation Selfly "Flying Smartphone Case" at CES 2018
Given the fact that there are millions of selfies created every day, this device has tremendous potential.
One possible fly in the ointment is that a new law decrees that all unmanned aircraft must be registered with the FAA.
To fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft you must:
Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY
Register your model aircraft
Fly within visual line-of-sight
Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
Never fly near other aircraft
Notify the airport and air traffic control tower prior to flying within 5 miles of an airport*
Never fly near emergency response efforts
--Source:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/model_aircraft/
Clarification: for hobbyists, it's the pilot, not the aircraft, that must be registered -- i.e., a hobbyist needs only one registration to fly multiple different aircraft.
Commercial pilots, on the other hand, must register each of their aircraft.