I now notify airports before I fly

[JFHughes08088]

So the FAA released its app, B4UFLY, which lets you know what airports and/or heliports are within 5 miles of you. Lucky me - I have 5 of them. 1 hospital heliport, 1 private heliport, 2 community airports and 1 New Jersey Turnpike Authority heliport. Boy, are they going to get sick of hearing from me. I work from home and will take time during the day to grab a quick flight frequently. I'll be talking to them at least 5 times a week. Fortunately, the airports are OK with me emailing them in advance.

Since they are a few miles away, their aircraft are above 850 ft until final, which is about 1/2 mile out. If one of their planes is at or below 400 feet where I live, they have much bigger problems than my drone.

The heliports were surprised to hear from me and didn't quite know what to make of my notification. They said thanks and that was it.

Welcome to the new world.

 

[FotoGeek]

I'm not sure any of those qualify for the '5-mile rule'.

 

[doomclam]

Since they are a few miles away, their aircraft are above 850 ft until final, which is about 1/2 mile out. If one of their planes is at or below 400 feet where I live, they have much bigger problems than my drone.

I have said this verbatim. It's my favorite place to fly, where the planes aren't supposed to be.

 

[JFHughes08088]

According to the FAA app, I'm to notify all of them

 

[FotoGeek]

According to the FAA app, I'm to notify all of them

Yea I think heliports are 2 miles though.

 

[JFHughes08088]

Weird. The app states Federal law requires model aircraft operators to notify the airport operator and air traffic control tower (if one is present) when operating within 5 miles of an airport. It then lists heliports as airports along with the airports I know.

 

[FotoGeek]

Weird. The app states Federal law requires model aircraft operators to notify the airport operator and air traffic control tower (if one is present) when operating within 5 miles of an airport. It then lists heliports as airports along with the airports I know.

Yea.. the FAA is a complete mess when it comes to sUAS and there are tons of conflicting information.

 

[TheRealNick]

bummer I thought it would have a way in app to send the notice....

 

[ForistellFlyer]

I contacted three airports in my immediate area. Two indicated that once was enough, nor more contact needed. One responded only after numerous repeats., they requested I not contact them again as they would not be responding

 

[Coach]

How are you finding contact information? I didn't realize I had any, much less 4 within 5 miles?

 

[ForistellFlyer]

How are you finding contact information? I didn't realize I had any, much less 4 within 5 miles?

Numerous websites are up for no fly zones
Contact info is the simple part

 

[Dacon Productions]

Government made!
Is conceived and ran by the same IT group that did oversee the ObamaCare page...Any questions?

 

[Coach]

Numerous websites are up for no fly zones
Contact info is the simple part

Shouldn't that be part of the app? Why have an app with a list of airports that I'm supposed to notify, but not include the contact info?

 

[ForistellFlyer]

Shouldn't that be part of the app? Why have an app with a list of airports that I'm supposed to notify, but not include the contact info?

I believe the assumption is that user would be smart enough to locate local contact info.
The easy part of the app is the five mile radius around no fly zones

 

[Coach]

These are not no fly zones. Notify zones.

 

[Coach]

All of which are private seaplane airports.

 

[Coach]

I believe the assumption is that user would be smart enough to locate local contact info.
The easy part of the app is the five mile radius around no fly zones

Yep, I am smart enough to find the contact info. I guess I'd think the app would be smart enough to add the contact info, after all it has just about everything except the contact info on the airport. But I guess I'm wrong.

 

[kphantom]

Yea.. the FAA is a complete mess when it comes to sUAS and there are tons of conflicting information.

They write rules for us to follow that they do not support. I called IAD since I'm within 5 miles of them, and they don't answer the phone. I loaded the App, I wish it had a means to notify them, but it does not. Very disappointing. I guess they figured out they did not want to answer when we call because they don't care if we want to fly. Again, Very disappointing.

 

[ParsnipHysorter]

How are you finding contact information? I didn't realize I had any, much less 4 within 5 miles?

Airmap site lists contact info. AirMap.io

 

[ForistellFlyer]

Always believe the federal govt.
if you like you Doctor you can keep him