Tractor from drone's pov

[Garandman]

Ban birds?

DJI - Flight zones

 

[ovrszd]

I was president of an airport for 10 years and am a Flight Instructor/Commercial Pilot. I don't normally like to comment on stuff like this with those not familiar with flying, aircraft, airspace and the FAA but I think you will find most pilots will push for clear airspace where aircraft take off and land for safety. The smallest of foreign materials ingested in an engine or even hitting a leading edge of an aircraft can cause serious damage or possibly the loss of life. Airports, at least most, have instrument approaches in which aircraft are becoming close to the ground in lower visibility and cielings not to mention that in the air it is very very difficult so even see an object of this size before it is to late to 'see and avoid'. We used to have an 2 seat exemption ultralight (now LSA) dealer and even though their speed wasn't great they could climb and descend quickly and we had several incidents reported close to the runway with faster, less maneuverable aircraft. Remember an aircraft can not see from the nose down and what is directly overhead (many blind spots). The big problem is many people fly remote control aircraft with an "it can't happen to me" attitude and will irresponsibly fly their RC plane as they are the only one in the sky.
I have had a lot of dealings with the FAA. This is just like the 2 seat ultralights...they sucked them in and eventually created the LSA (light sport aircraft) so the operators ended up having to get a pilots liscense and regist er their aircraft. The FAA is one, if not the most powerful agencies in the US. I think you will see, once registration is in place, they will make an examples out of some.
Also, NO pilot can fly anymore near DC without logged training and follow procedures. Instructors must also have Flight Training on procedures. This has been in place for several years.

If I'm a passenger on the plane I'd like to know when landing or taking off that someone's Drone isn't going to be sucked into the engine.

Very well stated. I fully support strict registration and control of Drones. That needs to happen before we have a catastrophic event, not after.

 

[Garandman]

Here's another overhead shot from our neighborhood in Boston looking east towards UMass Boston, with several Boston harbor islands visible on the right. Neat way to get a new perspective.

 

[dfkrug]

DJI phantom 3 Professional

Very impressive photos, Joe. Even nicer than the photo of the van with the AC
inside. Wow.

Did you work your way up to your current "drone" from cheaper ones? I see one
can buy one now for as little as $50 at Frys, but I imagine the camera is not too
good, and keeping it stable, maybe not so easy either.

 

[two_bit_score]

I was president of an airport for 10 years and am a Flight Instructor/Commercial Pilot. I don't normally like to comment on stuff like this with those not familiar with flying, aircraft, airspace and the FAA but I think you will find most pilots will push for clear airspace where aircraft take off and land for safety. The smallest of foreign materials ingested in an engine or even hitting a leading edge of an aircraft can cause serious damage or possibly the loss of life. Airports, at least most, have instrument approaches in which aircraft are becoming close to the ground in lower visibility and cielings not to mention that in the air it is very very difficult so even see an object of this size before it is to late to 'see and avoid'. We used to have an 2 seat exemption ultralight (now LSA) dealer and even though their speed wasn't great they could climb and descend quickly and we had several incidents reported close to the runway with faster, less maneuverable aircraft. Remember an aircraft can not see from the nose down and what is directly overhead (many blind spots). The big problem is many people fly remote control aircraft with an "it can't happen to me" attitude and will irresponsibly fly their RC plane as they are the only one in the sky.
I have had a lot of dealings with the FAA. This is just like the 2 seat ultralights...they sucked them in and eventually created the LSA (light sport aircraft) so the operators ended up having to get a pilots liscense and regist er their aircraft. The FAA is one, if not the most powerful agencies in the US. I think you will see, once registration is in place, they will make an examples out of some.
Also, NO pilot can fly anymore near DC without logged training and follow procedures. Instructors must also have Flight Training on procedures. This has been in place for several years.

:thumbsup:

There should be, if there isn't already, a way to strictly enforce activity around an airport so there are no threats to flights taking off or landing. This includes birds, drones, laser pointers, etc, etc. All personnel working at an airport should be carefully screened and vetted also. Security at and around airports should be taken seriously. It's in everyones interest to do so.


.

 

[lostcreekranch]

How do you screen and vet the clowns, outside airport, that cause the problems??

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[two_bit_score]

How do you screen and vet the clowns, outside airport, that cause the problems??

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I suggested strict screening and vetting for those working there. You can't screen and vet those out side the grounds but there should be a way to monitor and regulate activity close to airports. Exactly the best workable way to do that is the $64,000 question.

.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I suggested strict screening and vetting for those working there. You can't screen and vet those out side the grounds but there should be a way to monitor and regulate activity close to airports. Exactly the best workable way to do that is the $64,000 question. .

As several recent news stories have highlighted, there are significant security issues within many airport grounds, with airport / TSA employees. Moving drugs, illicit money, etc.

But, doubt if many, if any, of the laser pen, drone issues have involved airport employees, on duty at airport, which is the subject matter of this thread.

Now ..... those birds ..... who know who they work for? ;-)

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[Garandman]

:thumbsup:

There should be, if there isn't already, a way to strictly enforce activity around an airport so there are no threats to flights taking off or landing.

The DJI drones won't take off in restricted areas in GPS mode. If you are in an "Advisory" area, it warns you on screen when you turn it on. You can shut off the GPS and fly them, but that's a lot harder to control.

I posted a link above of a map of the US with all the restricted areas in the country in the DJI software. The issue is that 99% of the people using drones were already observing common-sense rules, and the 1% will still do stupid stuff whether the FAA requires registration or not.

But plenty of people have their panties in a bunch about drones, just look at all the idiotic talk of shooting them down, or making up other stories.

 

[IslandTractor]

Here's another overhead shot from our neighborhood in Boston looking east towards UMass Boston, with several Boston harbor islands visible on the right. Neat way to get a new perspective.

If Savin Hill is within 5 miles of Logan Airport, aren't you restricted from flying there? Or is it just that you are limited to 500ft or so?? The typical flight path for 4L and 4R are just a little south of where your drone is.