B4UFLY: App That Tells Drone Pilots Where They Are Allowed To Fly

[jos]

you can beta test the app by emailing b4ufly@Faa.gov to request an invite.

 

Key features of the B4UFLY app include:

A clear "status" indicator that immediately informs the operator about their current or planned location. For example, it shows flying in the Special Flight Rules Area around Washington, DC is prohibited

Information on the parameters that drive the status indicator

A "Planner Mode" for future flights in different locations

Informative, interactive maps with filtering options

Links to other FAA UAS resources and regulatory information

 

The app will let you both plan future flights and check whether there’s any issue with your current location. 

 

Judging by the screenshots  the app is going to be pretty easy to use. The main purpose of the app is to tell you whether you are too close to an airport, in a national park (where drone flights are now forbidden), or another restricted area to fly your drone (or “unmanned aerial vehicle” or “remote controlled quadcopter” if you don’t like the word “drone”). I think in future all the drones can only be operated with the app restricting use of drones elsewhere.

 

Source: https://www.faa.gov/uas/b4ufly/

 

[The Pizza Thief]

This is a government made app, right? Sounds ok, I think it is common sense when and where you can fly your little toys. 

[TorqueS]

Not a bad idea...drones are becoming more popular so you can't just let people fly them near airports, or idk...crowded areas.

[Guest]

Nice concept for us enthusiasts, so that we don't get thrown at by rocks

I've just noticed that the tech news and reviews area has been filled with drone news lately

[Snadzies]

Sounds good to me.

Anything that lets drone hobbyists or professionals easily be more responsible with their activities is cool in my book.

[FunkyFeatures]

If this could more or less be hardcoded into drones instead of an app for your phone, that then simply blocks them from going into the perimiter of the airport, that'd be great.

[TorqueS]

If this could more or less be hardcoded into drones instead of an app for your phone, that then simply blocks them from going into the perimiter of the airport, that'd be great.

It would, but It could also increase the cost of such a drone by making this a "feature". 

 

But I think common sense and a decent smartphone are things that every drone enthusiast has, so there's no need for a coded drone as of yet.

If they become cheaper and more popular, then it might raise some eyebrows, but it would be still a problem if the coding goes as a marketing feature. It means cheaper drones wouldn't have that, so the app seems more useful.

 

Drone makers could promote the app though, under the badge of "Fly safely", on the box, in the manual etc.

[Mewosaur]

Looks good.

But isn't there already geofencing for the drones? That's built into the drone software and it's more effective.

[FunkyFeatures]

It would, but It could also increase the cost of such a drone by making this a "feature". 

 

But I think common sense and a decent smartphone are things that every drone enthusiast has, so there's no need for a coded drone as of yet.

If they become cheaper and more popular, then it might raise some eyebrows, but it would be still a problem if the coding goes as a marketing feature. It means cheaper drones wouldn't have that, so the app seems more useful.

 

Drone makers could promote the app though, under the badge of "Fly safely", on the box, in the manual etc.

I don't think so, it would just be a simple firmware modification in my thoughts at least - no additional costs.

The thing is, there is normal stupid and then advanced stupid. People who will "accidently" fly into an airport with a drone is part of the advanced stupid part, and that group will know nothing about the app, and will never bother installing it, hence being advanced stupid.