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Animal rights group says drone shot down

TeaSea

TeaSea

SOH-CM-2014
See link here: http://thetandd.com/animal-rights-g...cle_017a720a-56ce-11e1-afc4-001871e3ce6c.html

I'm sort of conflicted here....

On the one hand, this group was attempting an invasion of privacy by flying their rather large drone over private property at low altitude.

On the other hand, airspace belongs to the Nation and with certain restrictions is available for public use (well, at least 500 feet and up).

Then again, to learn to use that airspace, I had to fork out quite a bit of cash and invest a significant amount time for training and licensing....which begs the question, what license do these drone operators have?

I predict these kinds of things are going to become more and more problematic as the use of drones expands....since the basic concept for all use of airspace is "see and avoid"....I'm trying to figure out the impact of drones wandering around is going to be.
 
It is my understanding that it is illegal to fly a remote controlled aircraft in US airspace without permission of the FAA. This was over the roadway and totally without authorizations. I will be surprised if they are not arrested for violation of FAA flight rules. Even the police are not currently allowed to fly drones over neighborhoods without prior coordination and a court order. its my understanding that the Congress is currently discussing allowing law enforcement authority to do this so I think the animal rights people are on thin ice.

Dave
 
The picture shows a neat looking little machine. You could probably have a lot of fun with one of those, like serving drinks at a pool party, driving your pets crazy...etc. Kind of naive to fly it into a bird shoot on private property. Those sportsmen are already loaded for small flying things......

...I wonder if they were able to retrieve the machine....? (Or the pieces....)
 
This got me curious so I looked it up and Allan is correct regarding recreational aircraft (FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57), assuming they are operated out of other controlled air space and away from airports (without prior coordination) or populated areas. Line of Sight and positive control must be maintained at all times.

If the platform is for other than recreational purposes, then it must have an experimental Certificate of Authorization. If it has a COA, then the operator must be trained to operate within the parameters of National Air Space, meaning they must have a pilots license. Issue here obviously is if the UAV in question is considered a "recreational vehicle" or not. I'm assuming it is based on the little we have from the article and the fact that there have only been a couple hundred COA's issued.

I don't think the Animal Rights (really?) group will have much luck getting recompense for the aircraft since the use would likely be considered "harassment" if they took it to court. In other words, the court may determine they have crossed over from being in the recreational category, to being in the "COA" category and therefore subject to Federal prosecution for operating a UAV without a certificate. Just my guess. I also believe the group knows that.
 
I went over to the website that makes those "drones". The article says it is a Mikrokopter http://www.mikrokopter.us/ and they look like a recreational aircraft to me, although costly ones from the looks of it. The article used a pic that makes the "drone" look huge and menacing when it is not.<o:p></o:p>
 
It could even be more costly for the shooting side.

If the aircraft did fall under (FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 91-57) the shooting side broke the law by firing at it also like broke the law by fire towards Highway U.S. 601 no mater what.
 
Sieggie said:
It is my understanding that it is illegal to fly a remote controlled aircraft in US airspace without permission of the FAA. This was over the roadway and totally without authorizations. I will be surprised if they are not arrested for violation of FAA flight rules. Even the police are not currently allowed to fly drones over neighborhoods without prior coordination and a court order. its my understanding that the Congress is currently discussing allowing law enforcement authority to do this so I think the animal rights people are on thin ice.

Dave
Click to expand...

Couple weeks ago, Congress, Senate, and the President passed a law allowing drone flights over the United States.
 
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