With the existing generation of commercial quadcopters akin to the Phantom 3, there is limited ability to operate in a congested or compromised RF communications environment, without a tether, and still meet the expectations of AC 107. That being said the next generation of multi-rotor (five and above) from companies like Yuneec are building in rudimentary autonomous flight capability and better rejection logic which would allow for operations in a challenged environment. If the FAA will agree this enough to consider the UAV “under direct operator control” would remain to be seen. As discussed in the talk though, you have brought up a common concern about how to make UAV Command and Control communication robust and reliable enough for more critical missions as the present take off on WIFI most likely will not support new developments and missions.
