So what happened to the Drone issue?

[BrianL99]

It just magically disappeared?

When the Developer threatened to sue an elected official, in a County where he does so much business, it seems if there was some resolution, it would be of interest to the voters ... but the whole subject seemed to vanish into thin air (no pun intended).

On another note, there was a post today on Facebook, saying residents of a TV village, were notified that "drones would be flying overhead this weekend, evaluating the condition of roofs". No further details that I'm aware of.

[asianthree]

It just magically disappeared?

When the Developer threatened to sue an elected official, in a County where he does so much business, it seems if there was some resolution, it would be of interest to the voters ... but the whole subject seemed to vanish into thin air (no pun intended).

On another note, there was a post today on Facebook, saying residents of a TV village, were notified that "drones would be flying overhead this weekend, evaluating the condition of roofs". No further details that I'm aware of.

Goldwing has a recent video, might want to listen to his commentary. It could possibly or definitely answer your Thread question

[Ignatz]

The last Wingnut video we watched had a lot of text scrolling on the screen (disclaimers?) that we fast-forwarded past and it seemed like some of Dons comments were scripted.

Maybe it was part of a settling the matter?

[thelegges]

Other than Gold Wing just releasing another current new video, has any other drone operators posted new feeds since the C&D letter?

[Goldwingnut]

What a load of BS from the OP and others. They have no facts and no first hand knowledge of what has transpired, only speculation, hearsay, and and the lies they make up in their own imagination to denigrate others.

Let me lay out the facts, again.
A letter, ill-conceived as it was, was sent to myself and other YouTubers that operate sUAS (drones) directing us to stop our flight operations and take down all content previously shot and posted. The based this on FS 810.09 and 935.50(3)(b). There was some basis for concern for trespassing based on 810.09 due to published video of a drone's reckless acts. They hung their position of authority on 934.50(3)(b) by only quoting the first half of the section and ignoring the latter half:
"For purposes of this section, a person is presumed to have a reasonable expectation of privacy on his or her privately owned real property if he or she is not observable by persons located at ground level in a place where they have a legal right to be, regardless of whether he or she is observable from the air with the use of a drone."
There also appeared to be a belief that they somehow controlled the airspace and could prohibit our flight operations - they don't and they can't.
There was a lot of chatter and opinion expressed by those with their internet law degrees on both sides of the issue. Bottom line is that there is case law that can support both sides of the argument. Much of the premise of privacy is blown out of the water by the fact that all that was shown by the YouTubers as also shown by the developer owned sales and marketing team and newspaper.

Yes, I reached out to connections (friends) that I have within the developer's organization to try to help resolve this matter. My position was and still is that the widespread negative press that this matter generated was not good for Sumter County, its residents, and our business community (all the businesses, not just the developer). I also made it clear in my discussions that if the choice was doing what is best for my company or for Sumter County, that Sumter County will always take priority so long as I hold my elected position. The final decisions on what actions to take however originated with the developer's organization.

There is/was no NDA associated with the resolution, this is once again a figment of the OP's twisted imagination. There were no agreements made. There were no political favors or promises made. There was simply the email that was received by all of us involved that expressed their desire to bring the issue to a close, end the negative press cycle, and not have the issue spiral out of hand through a protracted legal battle. I read the full content of the email I received 2 weeks ago on my Gold Wingnut Live broadcast episode #59.

The expectation expressed in the email is that we (the drone pilots) will abide by Florida and federal laws in our operation. Do I expect repercussions if these rules are broken, you betcha. Skip the lawyers and go straight to the FAA and SCSO with complaints about flying and trespassing. I support this actions if violations occur.

As far as the accusations of in appropriate or unethical conduct, bring it on! I have nothing to fear. File your complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics at Home - Ethics (https://ethics.state.fl.us) PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Make my day!!!

[sdm1222]

Love your Videos!

[Nana2Teddy]

Other than Gold Wing just releasing another current new video, has any other drone operators posted new feeds since the C&D letter?
Yes, at least two that I’ve seen, but I was especially happy to see Don’s new video posted because I trust his info to be correct or he wouldn’t be sharing it.

One of the other drone operators posted a follow-up video to his most recent video just to correct all of the wrong info he stated in the original. Apparently, many of his viewers fact checked him in the comments under the original video. His most recent video is titled “I Was Wrong”.

[CybrSage]

The Developer of The Villages has a long and distinguished history of defending their position, to the nTh degree ... just ask the IRS or the FTC.

I would be incredulous, if The Villages hired a big time law firm to research the subject and send letters ... only to be convinced by a couple of drone operators working from their extra-room, that their theory was all wet? That conclusion strains the bounds of rational common sense.




Ahhh ... but the letter threatened litigation.

Lawfare is quite common. Those with far more .obey often use it as a club to threaten those without.

It happened so often in divorces that judges started giving punishing current support payments, including paying arrears, for doing it. Know a woman it was happening to. Delays cost money he had and she did not.

So yeah, bullying via big firms is very common...hence not wanting an actual trial.

[JRcorvette]

Don’s videos are excellent, informative and very professionally done. On his last video at the end there was a long list of “disclaimers “ It scrolled by pretty fast and I have never been a Fast Reader so I am not sure what they said but I am sure it was for legal purposes. We have way too many attorneys and lawsuits in this country!

[DrHitch]

Don. Wiley gives an excellent response here ...He wrote a very good 2&-page letter to the other drone pilots that were named in the developer's cease and disist notice.

It appears that one or more drone pilot may have violated FAA rules but doing stupid stunts like flying INSIDE a building under construction....so, just let the matter dissipate ....not good for The Villages in any way.


What a load of BS from the OP and others. They have no facts and no first hand knowledge of what has transpired, only speculation, hearsay, and and the lies they make up in their own imagination to denigrate others.

There were no agreements made. There were no political favors or promises made.