Drones for photography: It's a shame that drones are getting such a bad rap because of a few idiots that mis-use them. I saw now they have made actual shotgun shells just to shoot down...

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

It's a shame that drones are getting such a bad rap because of a few idiots that mis-use them. I saw now they have made actual shotgun shells just to shoot down drones. I saw one video where a photographer was flying one high up over a house fire and the firefighters started to hose it down. Fortunately he was able to steer it away and avoid damage. The drone was not causing any issue at the scene, unless there were choppers in the vicinity. That's a real problem with them.

Even birds don't like them, by evidence of the hawk video link I posted a couple weeks ago.

Now I heard last night on the news they are banning drones from covering the Pope's visit.

If people would just use common sense there would not be so many problems. I foresee the day when drones could replace helicopters for a lot of events (good and bad). It's just like any other technology, people will find a lot of good uses for it. Then there are those who just must do evil. OK I'm done ranting. Thanks for listening...peace.

I was considering getting one just for fun, but now, not so sure.

DrWilk Loc: .

A few days ago the water bombers and helicopters working on a forestfire near me had to be grounded because of an idiot with a drone. Several houses went up but no one can say whether they would have with or without the waterbombers.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Fly over my yard and see what happens to your drone then try to get it by trespassing.

As to drone being banned from a public area? No wonder, some jerk mounted a pistol on one and video taped it shooting at a target...

Leitz Loc: Solms

Then there was one with a camera flying so low over people on a beach in California that a guy threw his t-shirt at it and brought it down.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

DrWilk wrote:

A few days ago the water bombers and helicopters working on a forestfire near me had to be grounded because of an idiot with a drone. Several houses went up but no one can say whether they would have with or without the waterbombers.

To add to that: 13 aircraft (helicopters and waterbombers) were grounded for 5 hours while the fire raged on.
"Several houses" now stands at 29, from the last I heard.
The area on fire was around 8 square miles.
As far as I'm concerned, "they" should ban drones altogether.
http://www.oliverchronicle.com/firefighting-planes-disrupted-by-drone/
Same thing apparently happened in California as well.
http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/18/8998385/drones-delay-firefighters-fighting-california-wildfire

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

I just read (today) that they have developed new tech that sends the drone back to the operator.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Flyextreme wrote:

I just read (today) that they have developed new tech that sends the drone back to the operator.

No need a shotgun and the right to take them down is all we need.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Flyextreme wrote:

I just read (today) that they have developed new tech that sends the drone back to the operator.

I fly a drone, and yes on that tech. As an operator I follow certain guide lines as set forth by the AMA "American Model Association". There guide lines are pretty straight forward and follow the FAA guidelines.

These people that are making news are not Part of AMA nor do they have any Idea of what problems legal and other wise they are letting themselves in for should something go array.

We are also restricted to 300 above ground and not allowed to fly in public places i.e. should you lose control which is easy to do it will crash into a tree or ground. When I'm in New York, there are very few places I fly just for that reason. I do fly in locale park, when I am the solo person. I do fly and photograph occasional while on Cape Cod. Not often enough.

http://www.modelaircraft.org/

threedeers Loc: Northern Illinois

Just like anything else people have to take it to the extreme and screw it up for everyone else. Take biking, the thing we all did as kids, but now you have to have the $2000 bike and $500 outfit just to ride a bike.

Drones are cool but people do not use common sense and keep pushing the envelop. Flying around airports or over some else's property is not using simple common sense.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

threedeers wrote:

Just like anything else people have to take it to the extreme and screw it up for everyone else. Take biking, the thing we all did as kids, but now you have to have the $2000 bike and $500 outfit just to ride a bike.

Drones are cool but people do not use common sense and keep pushing the envelop. Flying around airports or over some else's property is not using simple common sense.

Actually it's against the law to fly with one mile of an airport. Like a $10,000 fine.

In New Jersey two young fella's decide to fly an RC Helicopter, These Helicopter's are not toys, they ended up almost killing a women jogging near by. They did some serious damage and are now paying the price.

JPL

The only serious problem with drones is that they have been invented for government use, to make it easier to kill people. But those toy drones to take some pics and videos are nothing to worry about. They are just nice toys like so many other tech things.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Seems like the law ought to handle it when drones are used improperly. Same as when people drive a car or boat irresponsibly, or use a weapon to hurt someone illegally, or steal someones' identity, or use a telephoto lens to take pictures of someone in their yard or house, or use a high power microphone to eves drop on the neighbors. No one suggested outlawing cars, boats, guns and knives, computers, telephoto lenses or microphones. Why should drones be singled out?

Bill Houghton wrote:

Actually it's against the law to fly with one mile of an airport. Like a $10,000 fine.

In New Jersey two young fella's decide to fly an RC Helicopter, These Helicopter's are not toys, they ended up almost killing a women jogging near by. They did some serious damage and are now paying the price.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

Bobspez wrote:

Seems like the law ought to handle it when drones are used improperly. Same as when people drive a car or boat irresponsibly, or use a weapon to hurt someone illegally, or steal someones' identity, or use a telephoto lens to take pictures of someone in their yard or house, or use a high power microphone to eves drop on the neighbors. No one suggested outlawing cars, boats, guns and knives, computers, telephoto lenses or microphones. Why should drones be singled out?

:thumbup:

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

http://www.faa.gov/uas/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Bill Houghton wrote:

...
These people that are making news are not Part of AMA nor do they have any Idea of what problems legal and other wise they are letting themselves in for should something go array.
...

I really like the view from drones for scenic shots where it would be impossible to shoot from. Unfortunately, too many people lack common sense and courtesy for using them.