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12-02-2013, 07:01 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 696
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UAVs, RPAs aka "drones"
Coincidentally I attended a presentation on the military's use of "drones" last week that was offered by the Virginia Aeronautical History Association. It was informative and thought provoking and put my mind at ease about the military's use of drones in US airspace. It did make me wonder about what other government agencies might be doing but I try not to get too paranoid. My main interest is in not hitting one of these unmanned aerial vehicles in my RV.
And then I saw this in my morning news feed.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=98BIu9dpwHU
Amazon is saying 86% of its orders could potentially be filled by UAVs. Besides making me rethink my investment strategies (how long do you hold stock in UPS?), it's making me think we really need to be aware of the rule making going on regarding UAVs. This has the potential to make a bird strike seem like your lucky day compared to a drone strike. There will likely be more UAVs around than geese in a few years.
So, not to be an alarmist, but here is a heads up we all need to pay attention to and figure out how we'll share the air space safely.
__________________
Don Alexander
Virginia
RV-9A 257SW Purchase Flying - O-320, Dynon D100
RV-9A 702DA (reserved) Finish Kit IOX-340
www.propjock.com
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12-02-2013, 07:47 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: George West, TX
Posts: 567
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Correct you are Don. I've been monitoring that this morning. He's, CEO Bezos, quoting 30 minute delivery. We do have reason to be VERY concerned about this.
__________________
Deal Fair
RV-4 (N34CB)
George West, TX (8T6)
Last edited by dealfair : 12-02-2013 at 07:50 AM.
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12-02-2013, 08:32 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 3,179
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I don't think you have much to worry about with those "consumer package deliver drones". To be honest, I would have expected this on April 1st but I guess the idea needs to start somewhere.
The current generation has a very small lift capacity (single digit lbs); the packaging is cost prohibitive, a short battery flight life (10-15 minutes); and are not very fast (20 mph but that speed dramatically shortens flight time).
The current technology has less than 2 miles radius of travel.
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12-02-2013, 08:35 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 3,179
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What I have not seen is the "actual" drone traffic vs the "official" drone traffic.
One personal anecdote - I witnessed - what I assume to be - a research version of the Predator traveling fast at about 500' in my area a few months back. I suspect that "excursion" was not in the official records.
Last edited by humptybump : 12-02-2013 at 10:08 AM.
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12-02-2013, 08:58 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
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I like the one of the comments; "Shoot down drone, get free (stuff)"
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Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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12-02-2013, 10:23 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Longmont, CO
Posts: 215
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Watch out!
We had a presentation from the CEO of a 'drone' agency last month. Colorado is on the short list for area in which to prove the concept of integrating UAS/UAVs into the general airspace. They are touting these things for everything from traffic watch, fire watch to monitoring ice formatin, river conditions, snow pack, to wildlife surveys, pipeline surveys, etc. They claim that amount the civilian uses will dwarf the amount of military uses. They also claim the UAVs can remain airborne for many many hours, and do have significant payload ( I have not heard about the Amazon angle). While I wasn't incredibly assured, the guy that spoke to us went to great lengths to explain how the UAVS will have the smarts to avoid us, so we don't need to be concerned.
So don't worry...
DD
__________________
David Dalton
Longmont, CO
RV-7 Complete,
Flies like a dream!
Lifetime VAF Member
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12-02-2013, 10:28 AM
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Senior Curmudgeon
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
Posts: 15,420
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beer30?
the guy that spoke to us went to great lengths to explain how the UAVS will have the smarts to avoid us, so we don't need to be concerned.
So don't worry...
DD
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Did he put that in writing??
__________________
Mike Starkey
VAF 909
Rv-10, N210LM.
Flying as of 12/4/2010
Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011 
Sold after 240+ wonderful hours of flight.
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it."
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12-02-2013, 10:36 AM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Mount Vernon, Wa
Posts: 643
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A whole new layer of noise and congestion, and another law on the books concerning drone interference and/or drone-jacking.
It may be a few years away yet. But, I have faith in human nature. If we can find a way to not do something ourselves, we will.
__________________
Ken W.
Mount Vernon, WA
2020 VAF Supporter
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12-02-2013, 10:37 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 3,179
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S
Did he put that in writing??
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Mike - it's written right on the side of the UAVs.
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12-02-2013, 10:40 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 1,261
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Drone Package Delivery
I saw the bit about Amazon on 60 minutes, this is a neat concept and I think it would have little impact on regular Aviation. The ground package delivery guys will take the hit most likely. I do thing there are a lot of bugs to workout but think about it these things could have there own low altitude <300 feet routes.
The Amazon drones are said to be autonomous, they would fly a programed route to the delivery address. These could be routes that fly along existing highways and streets and avoid airports, they could carry transponders so they could be seen by others flying in the airspace, after all the air picture will be totally data link by 2025 or nearly so. The helicopter guys are the ones that will be impacted the most since they spend a lot more time below 500'.
My wife came up with the biggest hurdle Amazon has to get past, how do you drop a package in the yard with the retriever is trying to fetch the drone!
The world it is a changing, grab on and enjoy the ride!.
__________________
Mike "Nemo" Elliott
RV-8A (First Flight 12-12-12!)
KOCF
N800ME
www.mykitlog.com/rvg8tor
Dues Paid 2019
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