UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Situational Awareness
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors
While researching for a new drone that could be used for aerial photography I came across information regarding operating drones per Part 107 of the FARs. I am filing the NASA report because a few weeks earlier I had operated a small drone in an open field inside the Manchester Class C airspace. Although several miles from the airport; I was unaware at the time of the airspace restrictions. The toy drone I was using at the time weighed less then what is required to register (less than 55lbs) and did not fly more than +-50 feet AGL for very short test flights of a minute or less but its operation was within the Class C airspace boundary as later seen on a Sectional Chart. Looking to learn from this oversight; and as a Part 61 pilot; the incident led me to complete the course on the FAA Wings site 'Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (small UAS)'. Following completion of the course my application for a Remote Pilot Certificate was signed by a local flight instructor and I was given a temporary Remote Pilot Certificate. With the new certificate in hand and knowledge gained from the Wings course I am now in a better position to correctly operate a UAS in the National Airspace.
UAV operator became aware of FAR Part 107 violation after flying the UAV in MHT Class C airspace.