Someone here, a licensed pilot, has a homebuilt manned multirotor craft that falls easily under Part 103 weight limits (it weighs 84 lbs). He has hovered it a few times, but someone must have reported him because he has received a letter from the FAA informing him of heavy fines, penalties and charges that he might face if he flies it unregistered.
My question is, doesn’t this legally qualify as an ultralight that can be flown under the Part 103 rules without registration? Barring that, he could register it under experimental/exhibition or research, but is that any better?
Aside from my question above, he also said that it can be flown remotely like a hobbyist drone... anyone care to weigh in on this aspect and the rules? Can it be operated as Part 103 and Part 107 (even though it exceeds typical Part 107 weights, I think)?
My question is, doesn’t this legally qualify as an ultralight that can be flown under the Part 103 rules without registration? Barring that, he could register it under experimental/exhibition or research, but is that any better?
Aside from my question above, he also said that it can be flown remotely like a hobbyist drone... anyone care to weigh in on this aspect and the rules? Can it be operated as Part 103 and Part 107 (even though it exceeds typical Part 107 weights, I think)?