DRONE UPDATE-336 Clarification by FAA

The head of the FAA, Michael Huerta, announced clarifications and minor modifications in the FAA 336 exemption (hobby exemption). 

The FAA’s principal changes are:

1. A person may operate an unmanned aircraft under the carve-out for hobbyist operators in Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA) at educational institutions and community-sponsored events provided that the person is (a) not compensated or (b) any compensation received is neither directly nor incidentally related to that person’s operation of the aircraft at such events.
2. A student may conduct model aircraft operations in accordance with section 336 of the FMRA in furtherance of his or her aviation-related education at an accredited educational institution.
3. Faculty teaching aviation-related courses at accredited educational institutions may assist students who are operating a model aircraft under section 336 and in connection with a course that requires such operations, provided that the student maintains operational control of the model aircraft such that the faculty member’s manipulation of the model aircraft’s controls is incidental and secondary to the student’s.

The FAA cautioned that a faculty member engaging in the operation of an unmanned aircraft, as part of professional duties for which he or she is paid, would not be engaging in a hobby or recreational activity.  Similarly, a student operating UAS for research on behalf of a faculty member is associated with the faculty member’s professional duties and compensation and, thus, is not hobby or recreational use by the student pursuant to section 336.  Faculty and students in these situations would need to seek and obtain authorization from the FAA.

This again points to the value of applying for, and receiving a 333 exemption from the FAA. The FAA is narrowing their definitions as UAV become more popular, and one does not want to be caught out flying UAV for ANY purpose beyond hobby flight, without a 333 Exemption.
There are many individuals and companies that offer this service. My company (Drones Plus) facilitates this service for a fee approximately one-third the cost of other providers. Why so low? Because 333 exemptions are important to UAV sales, our principle business. We provide this fast, painless experience for our customers so that legal frustrations do not encroach on their professional endeavors.