Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I respond with my thoughts. You have opinions and yours here offends me severely so do not respond either to any posts as well.

A. T.

Deal.

scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

Finally an unbiased statement.

A. T.

I agree totally, thanks for your response and comments.

A. T.

I thought I made it clear that I intend on getting the FAA certification and I am a very responsible drone operator.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Mongo Loc: Western New York

I have a similar drone, and admit discouragement over the increasing legislation, often encouraged by industry consortium.

When I was young we used a Cessna 182 to fly the Finger Lakes and some of the other lakes around New York, and shot pictures of cottages. We sold hundreds and it gave us a fun thing to do on the weekends. Since I had a commercial airplane rating, I went on and got an instructor's certificate. I have been using airplanes and helicopters for nearly 5 decades taking pictures. So I got a drone.

In addition to flying various full sized aircraft, and teaching in airplanes, I also got the Part 107 certification for drones the second day it became available. The training would be good for any serious drone pilot to take, particularly ones who will travel with their drone and want to fly it in places other than their back yard. Part 107 training only scratches the surface of what a serious drone user should know, but it is a good start.

I am and have been for 40 years, a volunteer with the FAA, to promote safety. For years my efforts were with people engaged in primarily non-commercial operations. About 7 years ago, I started also providing safety seminars on drone education. The FAA has had several significant violations by drone operators. Some seem petty, and there are quite a few which could have serious complications.

The driving force in the industry is that there are companies which want to do package delivery, mapping, agricultural operations, pipeline and powerline monitoring as well as governmental and public safety. These forces will work towards their goals, and the individuals who want to take aerial shots recreationally will continue to get squeezed.

Recently, I provided basic training to almost 20 mostly teen aged hobbyists. Then the rules changed again. Frustrating. But the rules changed when the automobile started becoming more ubiquitous in the early 1900's.

With regard to drone pilots...keep in mind that the FAA considers drones aircraft, and thus subject to their regulation. One should not interfere with a drone pilot while flying, even if you think he might be spying on your daughter. And don't go shooting drones down. The outcome may not be a favorable one. If one thinks someone is being a peeping Tom, report it to the local police. They are able to work with the FAA, and most states have suitable statutes against that type of activity.

If there are any drone or regulation oriented questions, I will do my best to answer PM on the topic. FWIW, I consider RC aircraft different from drones, but they are lumped together similar to the ways that large freight aircraft have similar regulations as large passenger aircraft.

Mongo Loc: Western New York

A slightly different story...when vacationing last year, I took my drone, and saw that the resort we were at prohibited drone flying. I talked with the director of security, who is a photographer. I told him what I wanted to do, and why I thought I was legal and lawful, and why I did not think he could prevent me from doing so.

He had been interested in drones, and was about to buy one. So it was a good conversation. I did fly the drone at the resort and around the lake, and shot some pictures of cottages and estates at the lake. But I endeavored to do so in an unobtrusive manner.

The director of security told me after our initial conversation that I was welcome to fly there, and if there were issues, we agreed to address them, and exchanged cellphone numbers. There were no issues.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Finally, a voice of reason and responsibility. I was beginning to think I was reading a Facebook rant instead of a UHH photography forum.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

As long as it doesn't cause damage to the building or injury to me, I could care less. I feel the same about birds flying over my house.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Birds do not take photos of you in your privacy then paste them all over social media last I checked.

A. T.

Very well stated and thank you so very much for the information and your professionalism in which you presented the information. Now, I have never PM on this forum so I will need to do some homework on that.

etaoin Loc: Wichita, KS

... and you would be committing a felony in doing so.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Unless you felt physically threatened.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

I build camera drones. That's part of the hobby for me, (although some of the drones are not just for hobby). I hate seeing it regulated into dust but it's not that inconvenient if really enjoy drone photography. And there are way's around some of the regulations like flying from within a state or federal park. As long as you are controlling the craft from outside the park, it's completely legal. Of course, it's difficult to get that across to the drone hawks.