Monthly Archives: April 2014

The FAA <3 Value

From the WSJ:

A Texas group that searches for missing people is fighting a Federal Aviation Administration order to stop using drones for its searches

The FAA said it must authorize anyone who wants to operate a drone in the U.S.—unless it is for recreation…

Mr. Geraghty deemed commercial drones to be the same legally as model aircraft, which he wrote aren’t considered aircraft under federal law—in part because the FAA itself historically hasn’t required model aircraft to comply with its rules for manned aircraft. If the FAA’s argument that all types of flying devices are aircraft, the judge wrote, then the agency should also regulate “paper aircraft, or a toy balsa wood glider.”

How do you justify the actions of a Federal agency blocking a search and rescue outfit from using drones?  Drones that save lives?  These drones must presumably operate over remote areas where the safety of the craft would be of minimal concern.

I don’t know how non-Valerians would square such a conundrum, but for Valerians it’s simple.  The FAA is made up of people, people like to control value, controlling the air is extremely valuable.  Why are they blocking Texas EquuSearch?  Is it because they’re evil? Hateful?  Want people to die in the desert?  Fear that a random cactus will be hit by a drone?  None of the above.  They just like controlling value and want as much as they can get.

The strongest protection is equal protection, and kudos to Judge Geraghty for saying that commercial drone flyers are entitled to the same protection as recreational flyers.  If the FAA wants to make a just rule If Congress wants to pass laws regulating flight, its rules should apply indiscriminately.  If they’re unfair for recreational flying, then they should not be applied to commercial flying.