You would think people would have caught on by now....
I'm not buying your scenario that these drone operators where in any kind of danger. They were all there to film the fires knowing all well there were low flying aircraft in those areas. You cannot give hand guns to just anyone!, and you cannot give drones to just anyone willing to pay, but that's what's happening. Of course this is what's going to happen and my friends it's only going to get worse. You can expect to hear a lot more News stories about idiot's flying drones. This industry must and will be regulated to protect us from these Idiot's and laws will be enacted on every level from the Federal Government and down to local city and municipalities. Anybody who thinkshmm ..
When faced with isolated instances of overlapping interests the 'grey areas' matter.
Perhaps one of these uav operators had property or family at risk during this event.
Perhaps the operator was stranded on the highway as sent up his equipment to see how to ovoid being burned alive in his car.
There are many scenarios that are possible beyond the assumption that some guy is sitting safely in his screened in porch sipping iced tea while pining for a front row drones eye view to the horror.
I would prefer that we as a group tread softly on the quixotic dogma that if society perceives drones as a problem then they are correct.
Education of drone operators, the public, and first responders is the key.
In an ideal situation, the operators firmware would receive an appropriate message from the first responders to a) allow them to patch into the video in an attempt to better asses the situation. b) notify the operator to safely exit the area. c) record and report the serial number for further action.
yes?
Too bad ignorance isnt painful!!!!You would think people would have caught on by now....
I appreciate what you've said steelkite. I am in full support of educating the public and drone operators, but I am also in support of regulations only because it has to be that way. Because of the capabilities of these drones today being able to fly autonomously, with way points and thousands of feet into ATC airspace, now multiply this by tens of thousands and it must and will be regulated and controlled because there will be so many drones in the coming years... so your aspiration is that drones be regulated / licensed / legislated in some meaningful equivalency as the highly effective firearms cluster%*#$ in this country? While I see the same problems as you do, I see so many effective solutions exactly because of the technology employed .. I agree that idiot operators are highly problematic. I regularly am approached by people concerned about my drone. After patiently taking the time to listen and thanking them for sharing their story or concern with me .. i additionally take the time to show them what I'm up to and answer their questions. 9 times out of 10, their concerns have nothing to do with me or my equipment but rather something they heard or read. 5 times out of 10, they end up asking me if I can film their sailing club / soccer game / car meet / real estate.
.. what would be helpful is our organizing into an association to promote safe use and coordinate with government in solutions.
.. you, are both factually correct and .. respectfully part of the problem :cough:
If you were the helicopter pilot diving in low to the ground in very smoky hard to see environments wouldn't you want those drones out of the air? If I'm the pilot risking my life to save your house by all means go ahead and blast away. Maybe after enough drones are blasted out of the air, those who want to fly in restricted airspace will get the message.On the news last night the fire department said the new laws may allow them to shoot down the drone with water or a gun if its close ..
I'm sure with more than 8000 new laws a year there's got to be one they could use to deture drone flights,in fire fighting air space, without making a new one..
If they broadcast a serial number on all new drones the outlaws will just disable them..
The kind of person who is going to use a drone for Ill purposes isnt going to care about the law so it won't do much good and because most good pilots follow the rules these laws won't pertain to them...
Pretty soon we will be confined to flying on private property. .
seems like there's already many areas in California that are no fly zones ...
I appreciate what you've said steelkite. I am in full support of educating the public and drone operators, but I am also in support of regulations only because it has to be that way. Because of the capabilities of these drones today being able to fly autonomously, with way points and thousands of feet into ATC airspace, now multiply this by tens of thousands and it must and will be regulated and controlled because there will be so many drones in the coming years.
This sort of thing was not a big problem with R/C aircraft because R/C aircraft were to involved for the layperson to handle and most where flown at R/C fields. Drones change all that. Now anybody can be airborne anywhere and with very limited skills and knowledge and in great numbers. That's a game changer!
When you put a very capable flying aircraft in the hands of the general public it's going to lead to big issues. This is the reason I feel this way, not because I'm part of the problem. I'd love to make it easy but unfortunately it's not that easy.
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