MARAP

[onetrack]

There's one small problem with flying Part 103 in the U.S., and it's the simple fact that the population of the U.S. is 346M, in the same area of land mass as Australia, with 25M people.

It's not like vast areas of the U.S. are like Outback Qld, with 1 person per 1000 sq kms.

 

And this sums up Part 103 flying in the U.S.;

 

"While Part 103 prohibits flying over congested areas (defined as one or more people), it can be difficult to ensure absolute compliance, especially in urban or populated areas."

 

The place is chock-o full of people and aircraft, and you plan flutter around in the equivalent of an airborne bicycle, with no equipment that you can use, to find other aircraft in the vicinity?

 

Then there's the not-so-small problem that law enforcement in the U.S. is brutal, and you may find yourself in jail for infringements of laws you didn't even know existed.

Add in the litigious nature of U.S. society (whose reach is not limited to America), and if some offended party claims injury or otherwise, and launches a lawsuit against you, you may wish you'd never seen the place.

 

Then there's the point that virtually every American owns a firearm (or 113), and they're basically very angry people, and they're ready and willing to shoot at anything overflying "their patch!", with high-powered weaponry (AR-15's and AK-47's are very popular), and this could make flying just a little more dangerous than you ever imagined.

I've seen more than one American on other forums bragging about shooting down "nosey" drones, and annoying "noisey" RC aircraft, overflying "their patch".

 

[facthunter]

Yeah, USA HAD some good things.  Nev

[jackc]

56 minutes ago, onetrack said:

There's one small problem with flying Part 103 in the U.S., and it's the simple fact that the population of the U.S. is 346M, in the same area of land mass as Australia, with 25M people.

It's not like vast areas of the U.S. are like Outback Qld, with 1 person per 1000 sq kms.

 

And this sums up Part 103 flying in the U.S.;

 

"While Part 103 prohibits flying over congested areas (defined as one or more people), it can be difficult to ensure absolute compliance, especially in urban or populated areas."

 

The place is chock-o full of people and aircraft, and you plan flutter around in the equivalent of an airborne bicycle, with no equipment that you can use, to find other aircraft in the vicinity?

 

Then there's the not-so-small problem that law enforcement in the U.S. is brutal, and you may find yourself in jail for infringements of laws you didn't even know existed.

Add in the litigious nature of U.S. society (whose reach is not limited to America), and if some offended party claims injury or otherwise, and launches a lawsuit against you, you may wish you'd never seen the place.

 

Then there's the point that virtually every American owns a firearm (or 113), and they're basically very angry people, and they're ready and willing to shoot at anything overflying "their patch!", with high-powered weaponry (AR-15's and AK-47's are very popular), and this could make flying just a little more dangerous than you ever imagined.

I've seen more than one American on other forums bragging about shooting down "nosey" drones, and annoying "noisey" RC aircraft, overflying "their patch".

 

Chicago is pretty dangerous, even on the ground 🤩

[facthunter]

You can bet your bottom Dollar you'll lose the Blues in CHICAGO.   Nev

[spacesailor]

A Hummelbird was ' shot ' in the states, as all aircraft are Federal registered. 

After landing & showing the metal ( could have said bullet ) embedded in the prop.

The airfield security called the sheriff's office who promptly called the National Guard. 

A group of ' duck hunter's ' promptly pointed out the culprit , after being rounded up at gun point by the National Guard. 

Great story ! , I do hope it's true .

spacesailor

[Red]

5 hours ago, onetrack said:

There's one small problem with flying Part 103 in the U.S., and it's the simple fact that the population of the U.S. is 346M, in the same area of land mass as Australia, with 25M people.

It's not like vast areas of the U.S. are like Outback Qld, with 1 person per 1000 sq kms.

 

And this sums up Part 103 flying in the U.S.;

 

"While Part 103 prohibits flying over congested areas (defined as one or more people), it can be difficult to ensure absolute compliance, especially in urban or populated areas."

 

The place is chock-o full of people and aircraft, and you plan flutter around in the equivalent of an airborne bicycle, with no equipment that you can use, to find other aircraft in the vicinity?

 

Then there's the not-so-small problem that law enforcement in the U.S. is brutal, and you may find yourself in jail for infringements of laws you didn't even know existed.

Add in the litigious nature of U.S. society (whose reach is not limited to America), and if some offended party claims injury or otherwise, and launches a lawsuit against you, you may wish you'd never seen the place.

 

Then there's the point that virtually every American owns a firearm (or 113), and they're basically very angry people, and they're ready and willing to shoot at anything overflying "their patch!", with high-powered weaponry (AR-15's and AK-47's are very popular), and this could make flying just a little more dangerous than you ever imagined.

I've seen more than one American on other forums bragging about shooting down "nosey" drones, and annoying "noisey" RC aircraft, overflying "their patch".

 

You're clearly basing your message on what the media has fed you, having spent 2 years there I can see your post is not from personal experience.

They have massive social problems but its not the allamo on every street

 

[Blueadventures]

7 hours ago, jackc said:

Chicago is pretty dangerous, even on the ground 🤩

Also don't go to the movies there wearing a 'T' shirt saying "My name is Dillinger" 🎯

Edited April 11 by Blueadventures

[BrendAn]

On 11/04/2025 at 12:40 PM, spacesailor said:

A Hummelbird was ' shot ' in the states, as all aircraft are Federal registered. 

After landing & showing the metal ( could have said bullet ) embedded in the prop.

The airfield security called the sheriff's office who promptly called the National Guard. 

A group of ' duck hunter's ' promptly pointed out the culprit , after being rounded up at gun point by the National Guard. 

Great story ! , I do hope it's true .

spacesailor

imagine his dog trying to drag a hummelbird back to shore.

[BrendAn]

On 11/04/2025 at 10:10 AM, onetrack said:

There's one small problem with flying Part 103 in the U.S., and it's the simple fact that the population of the U.S. is 346M, in the same area of land mass as Australia, with 25M people.

It's not like vast areas of the U.S. are like Outback Qld, with 1 person per 1000 sq kms.

 

And this sums up Part 103 flying in the U.S.;

 

"While Part 103 prohibits flying over congested areas (defined as one or more people), it can be difficult to ensure absolute compliance, especially in urban or populated areas."

 

The place is chock-o full of people and aircraft, and you plan flutter around in the equivalent of an airborne bicycle, with no equipment that you can use, to find other aircraft in the vicinity?

 

Then there's the not-so-small problem that law enforcement in the U.S. is brutal, and you may find yourself in jail for infringements of laws you didn't even know existed.

Add in the litigious nature of U.S. society (whose reach is not limited to America), and if some offended party claims injury or otherwise, and launches a lawsuit against you, you may wish you'd never seen the place.

 

Then there's the point that virtually every American owns a firearm (or 113), and they're basically very angry people, and they're ready and willing to shoot at anything overflying "their patch!", with high-powered weaponry (AR-15's and AK-47's are very popular), and this could make flying just a little more dangerous than you ever imagined.

I've seen more than one American on other forums bragging about shooting down "nosey" drones, and annoying "noisey" RC aircraft, overflying "their patch".

 

way over the top onetrack reply.  part 103 is very popular. you can find negatives in everything if you look hard enough.

trying looking up p103 and you might be surprised .

[BrendAn]

On 10/04/2025 at 3:40 PM, jackc said:

So having read through bits of this, and comments made to me in conversation say that an MARAP must be RENEWED  every year?

 MARAP even needed for simple things? I could not use factory tech documentation to fit a BRS to my 19 reg aircraft? I had to go through the MARAP process?

So, I just bought a wearable parachute, open left door……..bail out, damn it watch the tail feathers, and job is done 🤩 

No MARAP, no fees to pay, no RAA  b/s, what is not to like 👍

marap is a one time fee.  why do you need one for a 19 reg.

[onetrack]

Well, if the ever-suspicious "cash crop" growers don't get you in your ultralight, then the hunters will!

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/hunter-pleads-guilty-to-shooting-ultralight-pilot/

[BrendAn]

6 minutes ago, onetrack said:

Well, if the ever-suspicious "cash crop" growers don't get you in your ultralight, then the hunters will!

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/hunter-pleads-guilty-to-shooting-ultralight-pilot/

How often does that happen. 

If we listened to you we wouldn't leave the house and definitely not go to northam

[onetrack]

After having had many people try to kill me, in dozens of different ways, including people shooting at me (none of them succeeded!), I guess you could say, I'm a little risk-averse!

[BrendAn]

Just now, onetrack said:

After having had many people try to kill me, in dozens of different ways, including people shooting at me (none of them succeeded!), I guess you could say, I'm a little risk-averse!

understandable. haven't been in that situation myself .

[facthunter]

Riding a motorbike on the road is about the same risk, these days. Nev