Anyone flying drones?

[OTRA15]

Drone crash and small fire in The Hamptons via the NY Post:

Drone bursts into flames on quiet Hamptons street | New York Post

On a real estate photography assignment apparently.

[scamp]

Originally Posted by Msmoto

All this chatting, no photos....so.....

Alumalina_2015_10.23.15-3 by Tommie Lauer, on Flickr

Aim carefully, these can move quickly....LOL

KA BOOMMMM GOTCHA YOU LITTLE DRONE .lol

Don

[ROBERT CROSS]

.......to have fun with my Camera

https://vimeo.com/138678046

Bob

[Msmoto]

Great stuff here. And, if I can add one serious note, the drone that crashed, "lost control".....the reason a pilot's license or "drone operators license" may eventually be required.

And I am still trying to learn about radios and cameras......

Whatever....

[xrvr]

I can't operate my cellphone. A drone in my hands would be criminal.

[paiceman]

Long Long Honeymoon video using a drone to follow them on a fairly deserted road thru the west someplace, don't remember where is pretty interesting.

New tool for peeping toms, one came near our home during a party we had. Owner is still looking for his or her drone.

[dznf0g]

I am somewhat confused....What is the definition of a drone? I seem to get lumped into a crowd who has certainly (IMO) stepped over the line in safety and respect. I am a helicopter hobbyist. I have a model RC conventional, small collective pitch copter.

Blade mCP X 2/BL Review

Mine is not the version 2 with brushless motors, but has many nice upgrades. It's small (everything including controller fits in a briefcase), and no camera.

I wanted to learn to fly and it is hard. It is a GREAT mental dexterity exercise for those of us who recognize the sharpness of youth is slowly leaving. You have to think in 3 dimensions and from projected viewpoints all the time as you turn and maneuver.

Plus it is fun (and frustrating). BUT, anyone who learns about the hobby, learns that safety and respect are paramount. This little copter can cut you badly (don't ask). This next size up can lop off fingers. Get up to 400 and higher sizes and they can remove limbs.

BTW, NEVER walk up behind an operator and startle them or distract them...it is dangerous. Even if you're angry or frustrated with their behavior.

I always fly in open areas with NO ONE within sight.

[CaCraig]

I can only speak about the Phantom because I don't know other brands.

There are safety controls built in. You don't take off until the GPS has locked on to at least 7 satellites.

Letting go of the sticks (they spring back to the center position) on the controller will make the quadcopter hover in place.

There's a switch on the controller that will tell the quad to 'return to home' and it will come and land from where it took off and when the battery is getting low it will go into 'return to home' mode also.

You can install prop guards so if you get close to an object the quad will just bump into it and won't crash.

They are pretty simple to fly once you get used to the stick controls which is probably why they are so popular.

[dznf0g]

Still don't have definition of a "drone". I think it is the most negative label that opponents of them can assign in order to project a foul image to those who don't know much about RC at all. This tactic has been used over and over in controversial subjects.

Mine has no GPS, camera, return home modes etc. It's range is about 150' and only has a "float to earth" mode, whereby the rotor pitch will automatically cause a "whirly gig" return to earth, with no motor power, at a relatively slow rate. I also have a "panic" switch which does the same thing when I lose control....frequently.

[ghaynes755]

Rich, 'drone' has become the acronym for all of these flying contraptions. There was a push a few years ago from the multi-rotor community for accuracy but drone is the lexicon of the world at this point. The FAA simply is saying that anything that moves through the national airspace system, which for them means the ground to infinity, and the object is 'flying' is then an 'aircraft' subject to regulation.

So under the latest foray of 'registration of all UAS (unmanned aerial systems)' if you fly your no name outside it would need to be registered with the FAA and is subject to any and all rules, regulations, etc available to the FAA for enforcement.

[dznf0g]

I have a nice kite......that's the next regulated aerial device?

And...Gary.....I kind of knew your answer, but was making a point.

Is this registration system up and running yet?

[KJRitchie]

If you are into flying models then you need to probably get acquainted with this organization; Academy of Model Aeronautics.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

Kelvin

[cwf]

"Drone".. Remotely controlled device.

The most recent use of the term associates the "drone/ remotely controlled device" to be one which serves a function, I.e.; observation, arms delivery (except in the case of Amazon).. Especially one which has autonomic features.

A RC model is, generally, for the enjoyment the build and flying it provides.

[remphoto]

Well, my llittle Syma Explorer arrived today. Based on watching a few youtubes for training, I fired it up in the living room and ended up terrorizing our grandsons, dogs and almost cutting off my wife's finger.

Other than that, I love this little thing and will hopefully improve my piloting with practice.

[ghaynes755]

Rich even kites are covered in the current FAA regulations. FAR Part 101 Subpart B is all about moored balloons and kites. There was even talk that if you put a rubber band powered propellor on a paper airplane and took it outside in the 'national airspace', since it now has 'power' that it could fall into the need to register category.

As for moored balloons look how that worked out last week on the east coast

Registration design meetings have just started.

[SeeMore]

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When your drone is right in the path of a flying pumpkin | www.wsoctv.com