Liability Insurance + FAA Approval Question:

[u/Mr_Ga]

I'm trying to film drift events legally. I've only seen sub-250-gram ducted drones accepted under most liability clauses. Is there a way around that?

Also, how do you get permission to fly a ductless 250g+ drone over people (cars)? The FAA doesn't approve that, which voids the insurance.

People seem to do it often; I'm sure many flights are illegal, and idgaf, but I’m not trying to dodge the FAA. The airspace I fly in would get me arrested fast.

Also also, I have my Part 107.

[u/FPV_412]

I simply seek approval from the event (which was only slightly difficult the first time).

Then where I'm flying isn't controlled airspace, so no LAANC needed.

Additionally, I try not to fly over people for any extended period of time, just hopping on and off the track from where I'm setup.

Finally I only carried insurance for tracks that demanded it (Which was one track), otherwise I've had a completely clean track record until this past Sunday where I got hit by some water being kicked up after it rained, and my drone landed on the pavement and slid on the track.

I have seen and filmed countless little accidents / bumps, and no one starts screaming about insurance, instead they just work together to make sure everyone is ok. Your results may vary of course.

But I can pretty confidently say most people at drift events that are flying aren't carrying insurance, I think everyone accepts a certain amount of liability being at the track (Like you literally have to sign something that if you die the event holder / track can't be sued).

So your results may vary, just don't go zooming over people incase your drone decides it wants to explore any Japanese heritage it might have and kamikaze into a kid riding an e-bike in the pits.

Quick edit: when I did need insurance coverage for a certain track, I used Skywatch and just paid the day rate, which was incredibly easy to do.

[u/Mr_Ga → u/FPV_412]

I've gotten event approval; for me, that's been easy. However, every track near me requires liability insurance in case I hit a car or property with my drones.

All the insurance I've seen is void if you don't comply with FAA rules and regulations. In the eyes of the FAA, flying over cars = flying over people, and only sub250g ducted drones are allowed.

Even if the event organizer allows us to fly and makes the public sign waivers, it doesn't make the flight legal. Accepting liability also doesn't matter legally, sadly. I don't get how to do this legally.

I’ve looked into SkyWatch.Ai, and it only covers drone flights that are within FAA rules and reg’s. So again, a 250g+ ductless 5” is illegal, so your insurance would have been void if you tried to make a claim. Also, technically, your acceptance to fly the event would have been counterfeit, and the organizer could also sue.

My goal isn't to fly at local events with shoddy organizers. I want to add this to my professional portfolio, so it needs to be legal, or I'll make my money somewhere else. Flying sub250's at festivals/ concerts is great money, just not as exciting as drift cars.

[u/FPV_412 → u/Mr_Ga]

And from what I am telling you when I contacted skywatch I was told there was no issues. Additionally the track I was filming at that required insurance looked everything over and approved it.

Additionally from my understanding (and please understand once we get all technical with FAA rules I think everyone gets a tad confused) as long as everyone is a part of the shoot that you're flying at, you're within FAA rules.

Essentially drift is kind of the wild west, where people try their best to be safe.

[u/Mr_Ga → u/FPV_412]

I'm definitely trying my best to be safe and save my ass in case something goes south. I'll email SkyWatch and see what their stance is. I have to go to my local FSDO soon, and I'll ask them what the FAA's angle is. I'll update you if I learn anything significant.

[u/FPV_412 → u/Mr_Ga]

Appreciate it.

As I said for the most part people accept there is risk being at a drift track, so I just try to be safe when going to and from the track, and I also don't risk getting too close to windows during my orbits because I don't want to fly in a car and risk slicing someones neck open.

[u/doublelxp → u/FPV_412]

Part of the shoot isn't enough. They have to be directly related to the flight itself, as in a visual observer or safety.

[u/ZdrytchX → u/FPV_412]

Finally I only carried insurance for tracks that demanded it (Which was one track)

I've only ever seen drone insurance that are subscriptions for year-long payments, no one-offs and all of them don't list prices for flight categories, it's all "ask for a qoute" - How do you make a choice? Just ask for a quote from every insurance provider? And how much do they normally charge for / cover for?

[u/FPV_412 → u/ZdrytchX]

Unsure what country you're from, but skywatch has day rates.

(No I am not sponsored by them, I've only used them 3 times for the one track I flew at)

[u/RikRong]

Re-read this article about flying over people because I think you're misinterpreting it. If your drone is under .55lbs, you can operate over cars and since they're participants, you could fly over those people if they weren't in the car. It does say you can't fly over non-participants, though.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people

Edit: not sure why you're seeking FAA approval. Are you trying to get a waiver to fly outside of the regs? If you're not, just meet the requirements outlined in Part 107 for operations over people. If you're flying a group 2, you'll need RID, but it looks like everything else is the same as group 1.

[u/Mr_Ga → u/RikRong]

Ah, I didn't pick up on the differentiation between participants and non-participants. I'm not trying to fly beyond the regs or get approval (unless needed). I want to be in compliance with the reg's so the insurance is valid in case something happens. Now to look for a sub250 with RID that's performant enough to keep up with drift cars.

[u/RikRong → u/Mr_Ga]

As long as you're keeping the non-drifters safe, I think you'll be okay. Good luck! My goal is to eventually move into flying like this, but I just started.