Drone/UAV owners
 

Thinking about buying a DJI Vision 2+ V3.0 or the new Dubsan X4 Pro when it is released. Would really like to talk with an experienced pilot about "stuff". Appreciate a message. Thanks, Marlinguy

The Villages E-Flyers RC group fly on M-F from 8-noon at the Polo field. Take a ride over and ask to talk to Walter, he is heavily into UAV's.

I understand flying remote model planes in a field for a hobby but this new fad for flying little whirly drones in neighborhoods with cameras to spy on ones neighbors I find disturbing. A person in Seattle area was in the news just before we came down here as she was being charged for shooting her neighbors drone down because it was taking pictures of them through their windows and the cops didn't do anything.

Trudy, Trudy, The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Geez girl, how did you connect the dots from owning an emerging and practical new technology to spying on your neighbors. Seriously, get a grip! And even if I could spy on my neighbors I would probably fall asleep from boredom waiting for something "to happen". Oh, and lastly, I think we still live in the USA where we still have a few freedoms left,,I think. Ok, that's it.

Trudy has good reason for concern, after all the initial impetus for the development of drones was for surveillance. If you fly below 466 you are also required to notify the FAA whenever you fly, since you are within 5 miles of an airport....are you compliant? :duck:

Where is the public and not private airport that is within five miles of The Villages? Until the FAA finishes writing the rules, almost everything is advisory in nature or on hold. I would love to see a public airport in the Villages. I recall being told that back in the horse and buggy days, many didn’t like those new motorized buggies using the roads.

A combination of self-governance (better knowledge), better platforms (flying machines) and new rules will come into play over time that should minimize the anxieties of the public.

Well said, Twoplanekid!:clap2::clap2::clap2:

Can they go further than the signal can reach?
Suppose I didn't know what I was doing and sent it downfield. If I lost radio contact would it just keep on going until the battery was drained?
They look like a lot of fun.

She is lucky she was not charged with a federal offense. It is a federal crime to shoot at any aircraft. That includes Drones, Model Aircraft, or registered aircraft.

First the regulation for RC aircraft is no higher then 400 ft AGL and must remain insight of the operator. You are required to inform helipad operations at a hospital if you are flying close to their airspace because of the altitudes they fly on approach. You are not required to inform the FAA if you are flying in uncontrolled airspace. You may not fly your aircraft within class B or C airspace. Registered aircraft must maintain 1000 above a heavily populated area and 500 feet above a sparcely populated area. So if the registered aircraft are sticking to the rules then these new Aircraft called Drones should never get in their way. Many of the Drone manufactures have added a database of the class A and B airspace into the Drone Computer. If the Drone is within the Airspace it will not take off. As a private pilot I understand he rules, however since there is no requirement for some one who owns a Drone and we have seemed to loose our common sense on matters such as this, I believe there needs to be some mandatory training for people that fly anything. My pilot skills are reviewed by an instructor every two years.

I would also encourage anyone with questions about the smaller UAVs to visit The Villages E-Flyers RC group who fly on M-F from 8-noon at the Polo field. They usually fly many interesting aircraft if the weather is good.

You can also go to RCgroups -> RCGroups.com: The ABCs of Radio Control - Aircraft, Boats, and Cars!
then to Electric - FPV Talk or Electric –Multirotors Talk

I love to fly both RC and private aircraft! I may fly my 1946 J-3 Piper Cub from Ohio to the Villages this June even though it might be faster driving my car on interstate 70 than flying a slow Cub.

I don't disagree but we also had a right to privacy at one time. That has been going away bit by bit. When one exercises their perceived rights it usually infringes on somebody else's perception of their rights.

The Villages E-Flyers RC group is being very responsible by sticking to a wide open space, well away from residential areas.

Does anyone in TV fly an RC plane out of his/her garden? I doubt it, but that is presumably what some drone operators want to do.

It is not just the privacy issue, it is the annoying noise and the danger of an accident.

Enjoy flying a drone by all means but, please, do it at the right place - the Polo field.

One may fly an RC Aircraft out of their back yard. Unless the local authorities have an ordinance prohibiting this activity. Otherwise it is perfectly legal to do so. Now if you have a neighbor who has complained about it I would hope the person who is flying the device would respect their wishes. There is no law that prohibits the flying of one of these multirotor toys over your home. There have been a number of cases adjudicated and basically while you own the land you do not own the air space above it. However if some one is using the device to harass you then you have some legal recourse. They would also be responsible for any damages that would be caused if for some reason the aircraft would crash on to your roof .

As I said I am fully supportive of those who are flying models and I guess drones as a hobby in an open field someplace. I have a problem with them having cameras peaking in a persons windows. I don't understand how it differs from a peeking Tom. The police can arrest someone peaking in your windows but not using a drone to do so. I just don't get it. As with many things the technology has moved faster than the laws can keep up.
In my opinion.

That would be considered harrasment and not exactly sure how far the authorities can go in that case. Just because someone owns a drone does not mean they are using it to spy on heir neighbors.

does the landing strip off of micro racetrack count....not flaming just asking

This is all interesting, we saw a drone about a week and a half ago, just to the south of 466a between Morse and Buena Vista, appeared to be a 4 prop type. I did not get a good look as I was driving, my wife able to see it better. Maybe someone was not following the "rules".
I have seen LOTs of discussion about these devices, where they can be flown, etc. There are a lot of concerns, especially the ones with cameras. You may recall the turmoil when Google introduced the street view, and initially you could see peoples faces. It will be interesting to see where this goes.

I have a DJI Phantom 2 with a GoPro Camera. I have done a number of flights around the community of Stonecrest. You can fly these aircraft just about anywhere you choose. DJI has now introduced changes to their software so as to keep the Drone grounded if its within a 5 mile radius of a major airport. There are rules that apply to these aircraft already under RC Aircraft but like most rules you need some one to enforce them. If someone is using one of these devices the local police can do something about it. However if you are just flying around the neighborhood then they are pretty much free to fly from where and to where they so desire. However if you actions endanger someone you will have a problem legally, I can guarantee it. Look at the gentleman that flew above the two new helicopters. he was at 1500 feet. A clear violation. They are a very stable aircraft and very easy to fly because the stabilization is done by a computer.

Steve9930 said: One may fly an RC Aircraft out of their back yard. Unless the local authorities have an ordinance prohibiting this activity. Otherwise it is perfectly legal to do so. Now if you have a neighbor who has complained about it I would hope the person who is flying the device would respect their wishes. There is no law that prohibits the flying of one of these multirotor toys over your home. There have been a number of cases adjudicated and basically while you own the land you do not own the air space above it. However if some one is using the device to harass you then you have some legal recourse. They would also be responsible for any damages that would be caused if for some reason the aircraft would crash on to your roof .


Steve: Good stuff in your note and well put in easy to understand fashion. Would only add that the FAA is aware of this issue as something they need to get their arms around, but it looks like it'll be at least several years before anything really concrete comes out. And with regard to your "neighbor" scenario, there was an incident in southern New Jersey last year that involved a guy ****ed off at his neighbor for flying his quad-rotor w/camera over his house and back yard taking a couple shots at it with a shotgun and knocking it down. The guy (who legally possessed the shotgun) was charged by local PD with unlawful discharge of a firearm (misdemeanor). He was also sued by the neighbor with the UAV for damages and reparations for losing the machine. The man's homeowner insurance liability coverage would not pay. So short version of some really long stories I guess is......keep your calm around these things, notify authorities if you feel compelled, and if flying them, be really aware of your surroundings and people with camera phones! Cheers!!

Yep strange things happen. The talk now is it will take about two years for the FAA to come up with some rules for commercial use. Private use is still in limbo. I'm a private pilot so I understand the air space rules and regulations. I found on the internet where there is now a Drone/UAV group that is trying to educate the users. I know one thing, if I'm at 2500 feet and I run into one of these toys I'm not going to be a happy camper.....:grumpy:

Thanks for the nice comment and thanks for adding the additional information.

Anytime you have a concern with anything that involves a video, or even how to operate a product, repair a product or see a product review, go to YouTube and search for the item. Just last week I saved myself $150 by repairing my own refrigerator by watching a video posted youtube.com.

If you're concerned about videos shot from quadcopters (drones), go to youtube.com and search and see what videos are being posted. I own a Syma X5C-1, a very inexpensive quadcopter that comes with a camera. I just did a search on YouTube for a Syma X5C-1 video, and what you'll come up with is a bunch of innocent looking aerial videos from a park, a ball field, the beach, a neighborhood, etc. Here, check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhNJWDYi82k

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513Y1zQIMJL.jpg

As far as getting in close proximity to a aircraft, keep in mine that you'll need to keep these aircraft in sight. Flying higher than a 100' this 12" white diameter quad will start to disappear. If it loses the signal, the quad will keep going on it's last command, which may take it very far away. I don't see any problem with these getting anywhere near a civil aircraft unless you right next to the airport. Even in that situation, it would probably be nothing more than a bird strike.

As long as it's not struck by the prop or sucked in jet engine intake. I have fixed many bird strikes of jet engines. The 12" drone would most likely rip compressor blades and could cause thrust problem. Even if it didn't create loss of engine the damage to several million dollar jet engine would be pricey if it was traced back to the owner.

As using them to spy or window peak, I have window blinds and curtains, if I don't want someone to see in I close them.

If you are truly worried about your privacy then don’t use the internet.

Bird strikes kill pilots and take down aircraft. Please do the calculation of the forces hitting one of the 2 to 5 pound aircraft at 120mph. There is a video of a drone pilot taking the aircraft up to 3500 feet through a cloud layer. There could be a pilot on an IFR flight flying through those clouds.

right, and if you don't like asparagus stop eating.....

John .. I'd really like some more info about which seller you bought from on Amazon? Did you buy extra batteries with an extra charger? P.M me if you would...Thanks!

I actually bought mine from a seller on eBay for $79.99 because I didn't want to wait, just check the feedback on the seller. That's pretty much the going price for domestic sales among dealers, I received it in 3 days. If you want to save a little money and don't mind waiting, many buy from Banggood website in China for $52.99 and you'll receive it in a couple of weeks. I did buy extra batteries, also on eBay, I think it was 5 batteries and a charger for like $20.

I shouldn't have even included bird strikes in my reply, I'm aware of what a real bird could do to an aircraft since I was an air traffic controller at Pensacola Approach and before that at St. Pete-Clearwater Tower (PIE), which sits right on Tampa Bay and is home to thousands of birds. The airport even had a man who was employed to chase birds away all day with shotgun blasts. I was speaking about the majority of flyers who operate in a 100' or lower altitute and are nothing more than a sophisticated toy. Of course there are always a few who want to push the boundaries and will spend a few thousand on a POV drone.

Sometimes you just have to laugh,,,,
 

I guess living in a community with so many old folks who have turned old ie., dont and wont learn about whats taking place in the world around them and find all kinds of chatter to keep their heads buried in the sand. To those who don't understand one of the biggest billion dollar emerging industries,, please, PLEASE, go educate yourself, see whats taking place. Of course the future is unknown but exploration is in the soul of man. Most said C. Columbus would sail off the edge of the earth, only a few saw the potential and listened to reason. Oh, I guess this is a waste of words. If you think UAV's are for spying on your neighbors, well, go put your heads back in the sand.

Well said....
 

I guess living in a community with so many old folks who have turned old ie., dont and wont learn about whats taking place in the world around them and find all kinds of chatter to keep their heads buried in the sand. To those who don't understand one of the biggest billion dollar emerging industries,, please, PLEASE, go educate yourself, see whats taking place. Of course the future is unknown but exploration is in the soul of man. Most said C. Columbus would sail off the edge of the earth, only a few saw the potential and listened to reason. Oh, I guess this is a waste of words. If you think UAV's are for spying on your neighbors, well, go put your heads back in the sand.


:BigApplause: .......... There's one in every crowd

PS I too researched EXTENSIVELY before buying my Quad. I bought the "Blade350 QX" (to learn on) and it has many SAFETY features including "return to home" if your transmitter signal is lost. Also the "Phantom" batteries are VERY espensive compared to the "Blade" as I also bought the "Go Pro Camera" for $450 and found that another EXACT "duplicate" camera with 1080p resolution $50 vs the Go Pro 4K resolution so the $50 camera in my opinion works just as well. Check out the "Blade 350QX" as I'm sure (in my opinion) it's one of the better ones using GPS ....

UAVs are still raising privacy issues and the main sticking point is whether or not you violate a person's reasonable expectation of privacy. If you hover above a crowd in the open there's no problem but if you hover above someone's pool to observe them sunbathing nude you are violating their rights....however the it will be difficult pursuing without the video. It would also be a pretty sick way to get your kicks. Obviously like any hobby, in normal situations they provide hours of enjoyment, if abused, like hovering right outside my windows, then I would blast it out of the sky and beat the owner to a pulp just like any perv trying to take pictures through MY windows and let the courts decide.