Do Tethered Drones Require Pilot's Licenses for Commercial Uses?

[Acroduster]

What say you? Gray area?

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

I think the FAA will say that is sustained flight in the national airspace system. You'd need the same requirements met as with commercial use of any other UAS.

 

[Acroduster]

And the big helium balloons at the car dealership? See where I'm going with this?

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

Yes. And believe it or not, the FAA does have regulations for moored balloons and kites. I find no mention of commercial vs hobby use though. However, they do specify balloons and kites, not tethered aircraft in general. And since your multiroter isn't a balloon or kite, you're back to the normal sUAS regulations.

 

[Acroduster]

OK. Makes sense.

 

[User Name]

But what if I attach a balloon to my tethered Solo?

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

As long as the motors are off and the only thing holding it up is the balloon, sure

 

[Acroduster]

Why would the motors have to be off?

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

Without motors, you have a tethered balloon with a hung of metal and plastic hanging off of it. With the motors running, you have a tethered sUAS with a balloon tied to it. Many people, along with many very expensive teams of attorneys have tried to pull little technicalities like this on the FAA. Has it ever ended favorably? Nope.

 

[EyeWingsuit]

What say you? Gray area?

At this moment, yes. When Part 107 gets its first AC, it'll probably still be "yes."