Use of Remote Aircraft to View Property

[shortthrow50]

I always just use Google earth. Nothing can beat a satelite view that let's you zoom all the way into your driveway if you want. It gets buffered pretty regular too

 

[shortthrow50]

:...............

 

[crazyal]

The FAA is currertly working on a new set of rules to govern RC aircraft including FPV, where did you get your 400 foot regulation from, I wasnt aware there was a ruling yet.

VP

I read it on Forbes awhile back. The reporter called the FAA to try and see what she had to do to get FAA approval for commercial applications. While doing so the FAA filled her in on the rules. But it sounded like an over the phone thing more than being sent a written set of rules. The focus was on if it was legal because a news station had used drones to get pictures of tornado and flood damage.

The only reason why I remembered it (sort of) was that I was trying to figure out how well 400 feet would work for taking pictures. A few other things came to mind, like as a kid I had an Estes rocket with a camera in it that I guess was illegal and I've heard about people taking a cheap cell phone and putting it in a Helium balloon set up taking video as it rose sending out the signal until the battery died.

With the new drones, like all advances in technology, comes the ability to get much more detailed pictures and of course invade privacy. But at the same time it offers land owners a much easier way to check on their property and for hobbyists who find this very interesting.

 

[Egon]

Those drones could get real interesting. Even trying for legal control would be interesting.

Electronics, gps systems and computer control will allow a myriad of different activities that will have enforment officers busy especially with the low signature rc planes.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

The FAA and Homeland Security are terrified that someone will use a drone or RC plane to fly a couple pounds of high explosive into a target.

 

[crazyal]

Once you add in face recognition technology like casinos use you could theoretically fly one around a city to locate somebody. For a bail jumper, that would be good, for a woman who fled an abusive boyfriend who's stalking her, that would be bad.

 

[nikdfish]

You can also check your county website. The tax office may have a GIS system that integrates the property plots with GIS imaging which is accessible to the public. Our county updates theirs every year or three. It is basically an overlay system that plots the property lines over a database of aerial photos. Other overlays include things like roads, waterways, elevations, etc. as well as tax records.

It is a free service in some counties, a small fee may be charged by others. I used it a lot when we were house hunting in NC while still living in WV.

Nick

 

[grsthegreat]

that swingletcam is a nice little $9,000 toy. if one of you rich guys can buy it, i'd like to borrow it for a day or so...

id get a kick out of flying it out here in Idaho...of coarse i'd have to print CIA logo on the wiglets. Id have the phone lines buzzing.

 

[grsthegreat]

I started flying RC planes and helicopters 2 years ago, it is a lot of fun. They now have what is called FPV (first person view) were you wear video googles and fly your plane. Here are some videos: RC HELI FPV: HK-450 (TREX-450 clone) rc helicopter FPV flight over Candia Beach, Argolida. - YouTube




VP

I have 2 different RC helicopters and i swear i cant get them to fly worth a darn. Mind you i can operate a REAL helicopter, but i always seem to crash my rc model. the slightest breeze and their toast.

 

[Eagle09]

I've been flying R/C planes for years and have experimented with aerial video quite a bit. It's a fun hobby but there are limitations. Most airplanes and helicopters have a 5000 to 6000 foot range from the transmitter, but unless the aircraft is very large you won't be able to see it that far away with the naked eye.

If you have open areas where you could land and takeoff you might could video your land in sections, but it's unlikely that you could fly over the entire acreage and video it by standing in one place.

Not trying to discourage you at all, just saying that there are limits to what aircraft like this are capable of. Also you will need a large enough plane or heli that can can carry the payload weight of whatever video system you use. There is also the fact that most hobbyist style R/C planes and helis can only fly about 10-15 minutes before they need fuel or fresh batteries.

Just a few things to consider...but a fun idea all the same. I hope if you begin taking video of the area that you will post a link to the host site here and keep this thread updated. I always enjoy seeing aerial video. Good luck !