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08-31-2016, 11:49 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ironflight
While it is popular in pilot circles to consider drones the spawn of the devil, let's think about where we all came from. I bet many of us came from the model airplane world. They got us our start in aviation. We became hooked and graduated to full size flying. Now model airplanes are falling under the same scrutiny by the FAA as drones, and are being painted with the same brush. after all, an R/C model is just a drone...right? If we make it really difficult for people to own and fly model airplanes, how are we going to get kids to catch the aviation bug? Where is the pipeline?
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Thank you Mr. Dye,
I started out flying R/C aircraft and that is what inspired me to take PPL lessons decades ago. I remained, off and on in the R/C world, throughout the years, and even went in to the R/C Jet scene when you could build your own miniature turbine (Shreckling/Kamps). As the micro turbines became popular so did the crowd that thought they could just jump straight into flying one without building up to the skill level required. Since those days, the restrictions and requirements, from the AMA, created an environment for me that turned me away from the hobby not to mention where I lived at the time (dry Socal), restricted me to pretty much the dry lake beds which were hours away.
The problem I see with drones these days is that anyone with a iPad or Samsung tablet can fly one. No longer do you have to manually fly them, build your skills, crash spend money, crash again, something that took you weeks/months to build, crash again. The "out of the box", charge the battery, download the app from the app store and go flying has opened up a pandoras box of potentially irresponsible people that seem to be the ones gracing the news and the eyes of the FAA.
I am still involved with autonoumous and remotely piloted vehicles but more from a data aquisition standpoint. I do run across quite a few people that shouldn't even be flying a rubber band/balsa model you used to get at the dime store. With these 'out of the box' drones now, we are going to see more of this but I'm not sure if more regulation is going to keep those who don't follow the rules to begin with or have common courtesy in check anyway.
--Erik
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08-31-2016, 02:25 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Just Minutes from KBVI!
Posts: 1,039
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I had a close call a few weeks ago when flying in the pattern at my home airport. It was at night after the tower had closed. As I was about 1/2 way through my base leg, I saw a light that appeared to hover slightly to my right and slightly above. It appeared to be about 600 AGL based on my altitude. It definitely appeared to be under power, not just drifting like a balloon or lantern. After I landed I went home and tried to find a way to contact the FAA (didn't think to call Pitt Approach once I was on the ground-doh!). What I was able to dig up was that the FAA recommends reporting drone near misses to "local law enforcement." I called our local police dept and was forwarded to the county dispatcher since it was after hours. They didn't really know what to do so I told them the FAA's web site said to contact them. The dispatcher took my info and had an officer call me back. She was partially knowledgeable but it was hard to get across that they didn't need to send a cruiser to the airport since I wasn't there and the drone operator probably wasn't either. They asked about how to drive on the runway(!) and I told them that was inadvisable because the field does not close at night.
Doesn't seem like there is a good way of getting this info to the FAA other than maybe calling the local FSDO well after the fact.
Last edited by 1001001 : 08-31-2016 at 02:30 PM.
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08-31-2016, 03:52 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,674
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I don't know how their communication/guidance controls work (possibly they're autonomous) but perhaps airport authorities could employ jamming technology to prevent drones from operating within the control zone+. Does anyone know what frequency they operate on? and what happens when they lose their guidance signal?
Bevan
__________________
RV7A Flying since 2015
O-360-A1F6 (parallel valve) 180HP
Dual P-mags
Precision F.I. with AP purge valve
Vinyl Wrapped Exterior
Grand Rapids EFIS
Located in western Canada
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08-31-2016, 04:01 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha, NE (KMLE)
Posts: 2,247
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It depends. I'm sure there are a number of control frequencies and schemes. Some can operate unguided, some will probably just land (gracefully or otherwise) if they lose their control signal.
And if you're intentionally radiating a signal to interfere with some other user or service, the FCC will have something to say to you about it... unless you're a Fed agency, in which case you can pretty much do what you want.
__________________
Dale
Omaha, NE
RV-12 # 222 N980KM "Screamin' Canary" (bought flying)
Fisher Celebrity (under construction)
Previous RV-7 project (sold)
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08-31-2016, 04:18 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 427
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I've often wondered why the drones subjected to a 400' AGL limit are not (apparently) equipped with an altitude limiting function, perhaps GPS based? (in fact, I'm wondering that very thing right now <gr>)
__________________
Dave
RV12 N951DZ
First Flight 9/23/16!
No paint yet. Working on a scheme with John Deere colors or accents.
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08-31-2016, 08:22 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 493
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Point well taken Paul. I have seen several loose balloons drifting up from the ground over the years. Was a little shaken up after the sighting in the air. I saw what I saw, but the more likely answer is that it was a balloon at that distance and elevation. Doesn't change what I thought I saw. Just gives me more to think about.
Wife just got out of the hospital today, so when she is feeling a little better I'll bring that up to her.
__________________
Joel
N626JA
RV-7A at CXP
Flying!
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09-01-2016, 05:53 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Just Minutes from KBVI!
Posts: 1,039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bret
Glad to hear you two are ok, a 20 LB piece of junk coming through the canopy at 200 MPH is not going to be good. there needs to be more federal regulations on this subject. an acquaintance was up visiting family last month and he had a 3,00.00 semi pro quad drone for filming, he also said that he was limited to 400 ft AGL, but then he said watch this, va ROOM! up and out of sight and could not hear it or see it, said he just went 2,000 Ft AGL, and then brought it back down. I told him my concerns about this very subject. Mandatory ADSB on every drone ?
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Regulations, like locks, only keep the honest people honest.
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09-01-2016, 06:30 AM
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,012
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Why does everyone assume this was a civilian device? The government agencies - local, state, and most by a wide margin, the federal government operate many of these. I know for a fact someone's been operating Predator or similar vehicles along the Texas gulf coast for 12, 14 years. One intercepted a friend of mine in an RV down toward the Matagorda/Palacious area.
__________________
Bryan
Houston
Last edited by Low Pass : 09-01-2016 at 04:21 PM.
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09-01-2016, 07:38 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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Intercepted?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Low Pass
Why does everyone assume this was a civilian device? The government agencies - local, state, and most by a wide margin, the federal government operate many of these. I know for a fact sometimes been operating Predator or similar vehicles along the Texas gulf coast for 12, 14 years. One intercepted a friend of mine in an RV down toward the Matagorda/Palacious area.
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Do they exceed RV speeds?
__________________
Bill
RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
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09-01-2016, 07:56 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL KCLW
Posts: 1,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveWelch
I've often wondered why the drones subjected to a 400' AGL limit are not (apparently) equipped with an altitude limiting function, perhaps GPS based? (in fact, I'm wondering that very thing right now <gr>)
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Many have that capability; I own one of the most popular, a DJI Phantom. The software has 'geofencing' capability that can limit altitude and also flight in areas where drones are restricted. However, this feature can be turned off by the user. There are a few reasons for this-
First, some people may have legitimate and legal reason to operate a drone in these areas - examples include operators with the proper FAA exemptions such as emergency responders or other public agencies.
Second, the database may not always be up to date or accurate, or make sense. In my case, I live within the restricted area around an airport. With the geofencing turned on, I can't even fly the drone in my garage or backyard beneath the trees and inside my fence.
Also, the fact that it is software-based means that it would only be a matter of time (probably just days or even hours) before somebody hacked their way around it making it a moot point. I think drone makers recognize this.
DJI is implementing a system where pilots must authenticate themselves first using a credit card (no charge) before unlocking access to otherwise 'restricted' flight areas. Seems like a reasonable system so that at least there is accountability.
Chris
__________________
Chris Johnson
RV-9A - Done(ish) 4/5/16! Flying 4/7/16
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