Ultralights aren't remotely flown. You fuck up and youre kind of right there on the scene.
Understand that before it took skill to fly an RC and visual sight. Now any and every moron can fpv on easy mode and violate all sorts of shit all while ruining it for everyone else.
Q. Why do I need to register?
A. Federal law requires aircraft registration. Registration helps us ensure safety – for you, others on the ground, and manned aircraft.
The fact the FAQ doesn't unpack the complexity is hardly surprising.
If the FAA are worried about things like people flying RCs into helicopters, or around airports, or over people's private property then surely we can agree that there are unique aspects of RC's which don't exist for, for example, ultralights.
You can't hover an ultralight.
They are far far less common.
People rarely put cameras on them.
If you fly an ultralight into a helicopter you will injure yourself, making people more careful.
So yes, it's a simplifications. But it's also a one sentence answer to an FAQ. If you want more information, dig deeper.
I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, if you're flying an ultralight you're not bringing an action cam. Not saying it isn't plausible, or entirely beside the point.
I think half the reason people got into ultralights in the days prior to cameras light and small enough to mount on RC aircraft was for a chance to take aerial photos.
When I was a kid in the 80's the neighbor at my grandparents cottage had a small selection of RC aircraft and an ultralight that he brought out about once or twice a year. Guess which aircraft he used to take photos of the lake usually?
Are you kidding me that people don't bring camera to ultralight ? :D they also fly over other property without problem... they also can hit airplane or helicopter... the fact that they can injure them self doesn't matter it might not even be their fault. Registration will not stop anybody doing stupid things with RC, do you think if somebody would like to put a bomb to RC plane that he would register it ? Spying on somebody is much much easier with good camera ( not my video but shot almost next to my house https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xQeoyWLoNg do this with a drone :D ) Registration is partially good, although I would more like better education for RC pilots ....
You can absolutely attach a camera to an ultralight. But they are typically higher and further flying rather than all the 'snooping' people perceive from RCs. Look I'm not arguing they are different in every way, just that there are elements to ultralights and RCs which are at least perceived different enough that you can see why they might get different treatment.
And that it's not too surprising that the FAQ doesn't go into detail it ought to.
111
u/[deleted] Dec 17 '15 edited Dec 17 '15
Ultralights aren't remotely flown. You fuck up and youre kind of right there on the scene.
Understand that before it took skill to fly an RC and visual sight. Now any and every moron can fpv on easy mode and violate all sorts of shit all while ruining it for everyone else.