Fewer restrictions, more close encounters?

A Highly Publicized Case in the Early History of sUAS:

 
Small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) were in the sky prior to completion of the part 107 regulations. This led to many reported incursions in public airspace and concerns about safety.  As an example, see Raphael Pirker's (nickname Trappy) video, compiled as a project paid for by the University of Virginia in 2011.  University of Virginia paid for Pirker's services through an advertising agency hired to create a publicity video.
 

It's the Public Safety...:

University of Virginia Campus.  Trappy's
flights took place over active streets and
sidewalks.

The video is a testament to Mr. Pirker's abilities as a radio control pilot.  For example, he flies beneath pedestrian overpasses and over traffic to create dramatic and very exciting videos of the University of Virginia campus.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), not impressed, attempted to fine Mr. Pirker $10,000 for sale of his services in the public airspace.  Mr. Pirker's lawyer and the FAA agreed to a fine of $1100 in 2015, with no admission of fault or guilt, closing the incident.
Stable and Easy to Fly Does not Mean Safe:
 


The Ritewing Zephyr XL delta wing
(credit:  Ritewing.com)

Mr. Pirker's aircraft (a delta wing RC kit, the Ritewing Zephyr) fit within the weight range that now partially defines the sUAS category (less than 55 lbs), weighing about 5 lbs.  Mr. Pirker's flying skill and first person view (FPV) equipment took the aircraft under pedestrian bridges, directly over cars and, several times, over people who do not seem to be aware that his aircraft was overhead.  Although FAA noted that Mr. Pirker's aircraft flew close to buildings, people and public transportation routes (roads and railways) they ultimately focused on the fact that he made money as a contractor. 

Momentum = Mass x Velocity = ouch!:

 
The people on the ground in the Mr. Pirker's videos were not the first see an sUAS flying (and, in some cases, right at them).  In fact, this is now common.  In recent weeks I saw quadcopters flying over crowds at a local festival, following a water skier in a 20 knot wind over a small lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains and cruising a remote section of the Tahoe Rim Trail. Even though the sUAS that I saw were flying slowly (no more than 20 mph), an sUAS weighing 5 lbs (like Mr. Pirker's) would raise a welt or worse if it went out of control into a pedestrian.    
 

Expect More Sightings:

Expect more sightings as hobbyists and pros take advantage of the part 107 regulations to fly and capture imagery with fixed wing and multirotor sUAS.