Kuzano

The Drone and the Patriot:

https://www.cnet.com/news/someone-shot-down-a-200-drone-with-a-3m-patriot-missile/

Umh.. clear the general area

GAlanFInk

I was lucky to have met a woman who not only did I meet online as a mentor to her being the President of a photo club in the Philippines but many years later, I married that woman. Last year, for my birthday, she bought me a high end DJI Phantom Drone. 4k image quality is something I had only seen on TV and believe me when I tell you, the images I'm getting from this thing are spectacular to put it mild. Unbelievable details right down to the blades of grass.
Yes, if you enjoy photography as much as I do, consider getting a drone.

Kuzano

Well.... Yeah..... But

The most common incoming flight path for the commercial airliners at our RDM airport is directly overhead on my house and below Drone regulation height, as if anyone pays attention to that.

I often take pictures of the underside of airliners, shooting straight up, and can see the rivets, and fuel stains along the bottom of the wings and fuselage. Not thinking drone here.

GAlanFInk

No-one suggested flying in a flight path of aircraft, did they? In fact, the ideal locations for flying drones are NOT in highly populated (or near airports) areas.

Violameister Loc: michigan

I have two quadcopters (I really don't like the term "drone" for these things; the term implies "wartime"). I use them for aerial photography of landscapes. Unfortunately, there are many ordinances against flying that in their absolute prohibitions are unreasonable. For example the absolute prohibition against flying in National Parks and Monuments. I have no problem with the idea of registering with the office before flying, or prohibiting flying in crowded areas; but that is not what exists. And the excessive prohibitions do not stop those with lawbreaking proclivities, just those of us who would like to take beautiful pictures while obeying reasonable laws.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I need a patriot battery in my back yard.
I have been told it is illegal to use a gun to shoot drones down and I bet the books do not address using a missile.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

It's fed law to shoot a ANY flying object.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Just a joke.
Lighten up.

Duggy

because it was said we didn't fire it an ally did. But most likely we paid for the missile.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

Do you call it a "quadcopter" if it has more than four propellers? Some of those things have six and even eight props. Maybe we can call them hexcopters and octocopters.

GregS Loc: Central Illinois, USA

I live in Normal, Illinois and currently a snowbird in NW Florida; Perdido Key. I purchased a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced with a 2.7k camera down here. Purchased my FAA License; (have a Commercial Pilots License) and looked for a place to fly it. After many, many phone calls, internet search, etc... I basically have no place to fly it. I can fly it over the Gulf, but not until I have mastered it. Navy training helicopters fly up the beach right by our condo at about 200 feet. Not a good place to be practicing my drone flying.
I called the State Park and asked if I could fly my "radio controlled aircraft", and was told she would have to check...but drones are not allowed! I explained they are one and the same.
Bottom line...there are more rules/regs to fly a drone than to fly an Ultralight with a person on board. It is because so many have ruined it for legit flyers. Just check the YouTube videos.
Managed to get in two flights over a road with no cars, before people came running out to stop me. Took some photos and video. UNBELIEVABLE results! 12 meg photos. So clear and stable. Video in 1080p since I don't have anything higher to view them on. Even with 1080p, the quality is perfect. Will have to switch to 2.7k to save when i upgrade my TV's.
Short time drone flyer, but I am definitely hooked!

Wrangler Loc: North Texas

I have flown radio control airplanes, gliders and a helicopter for years. Now they are called drones.

Kuzano

I went to the two flying clubs that have both been in existence here for decades for radio control planes.

Neither one of them allow drones and neither one of them are accessible to the public unless a club member is at the field. Both fields are locked (gated and fenced).

Besides, if I am going to fly, it's either going to be a Parasail, or a powered parachute. Nothing I own is going flying unless I am along as well.

Last time I flew a model airplane, there were strings attached. Control lines.

GregS Loc: Central Illinois, USA

Kuzano...Have always had a desire to fly a powered parachute, but never pursued it. Nothing like strapping a motor with a prop on your back and climbing skyward!!!
I used to fly "control line" planes, but that was a very long time ago. Navy aircraft were more fun to fly....faster too!

Kuzano

Well, there's the parasail, which is a parachute with a seatlike contraption, not powered. Took that up a few years ago. You run down a launch site up high on a hillside, to take to the air. Thermals are key and you can sail for hours and some distance. A "chase" or recovery vehicle is advisable. It can be a long walk home. I've been lucky, but it's one of the "soaring" experiences one surely enjoys.

Then there are two types of powered parachutes (I may not have the names quite right). The first is an engine you strap to your back, as you envision. I have not done that.

Then there is the powered parachute on wheels, a trike shaped open tube fuselage, with a parachute wing. Flies along at about 40 mph. Short roll take off and landing. We have a group of those at a small airport nearby. I don't own one, but rent and fly with the group. Flight ceiling.... Well, we've been a couple of thousand feet over the Three Sisters Wilderness area, but skimming along dry lake beds and at the beach is a lot more fun.

These come in one and two passenger versions, with different fuel tank size limits.

When I lived in Cincinnati, I "soared" in soaring gliders at the 400 acre Ceasar Creek Soaring Club. One of the largest private cooperatively owned soaring clubs in the country. It's about 5 miles from the small Waynesville airport, which is home to a large skydiving club. Took lessons at Waynesville, (picture is one the five J3 trainers at that field).

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