[ohmaigad]

Ok, so FAA has exceptions, i am not from US so wasn't sure about that because when FPV got popular my local ancient regulation basically said that pilot must maintain visual contact (VLOS only) and even now the latest unified EU drone regulation is kinda shit because you must have a spotter. Realistically speaking - what kind of other random aircraft are going to be up to 120m/400ft or around trees/obstacles when flying a racing drone? I bet it is zero. I am not disputing the fact that there are situations when all the precaution is needed but the fact that you are breaking the law when you are flying your FPV racing drone alone between/above trees alone in a private forest is a bit unsettling (at least based on the latest unified EU drone regulation).

[mathogre]

Here's a great FPV video from Portugal. Just saw it a month ago on YouTube. (If it doesn't play for you, search for "NAZARÉ x FPV DRONE CINEMATIC" on the channel "RED- FPV".) I was actually more hopeful that Europe was doing better than us! I'm not even sure how the FAA would deal with something like this, other than to require some elaborate waiver that would take all of the creative energy out of a project like this.

https://youtu.be/Vsn7jyJ4xhQ

[ohmaigad]

Imo under the new regulation (from 2021) this could actually be completely legal without any waivers depending on where was the pilot, if there was a spotter (very likely) and if the surfers can be considered involved persons (notified and consented etc.). Under my current local rules (not Portugal) this would require to be a certified pilot (theory + practical exam, although if you do this commercially it is a must anyway) and a risk assessment submitted to Civil Aviation Agency.

P.S. I believe the first shot of the video wouldn't fall under any regulation as it is not using airspace.