2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

[Rocketeer]

Greetings Gang,

Well, here we go again!!!

One more time the folks who like to fly their drones in all the wrong places have struck and once again they have put our hobby in jeopardy!!!

A report on CNN today gave the details of someone operating a drone within 100 feet, that's right 100 feet!! of two major commercial airliners each carrying over 150 people WHILE LANDING!! at a NEW YORK airport!!!

Luckily, no evasive actions were required but the net result was...... you guessed it, ANOTHER FAA investigation into owning and flying RC personal drones!!

How long can we survive the negative press??!! And how long until the many suffer for the fools errands of the few!??!?!


Bill L.
In OKla.

[XF-15DCC]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

I wouldnt be surprised if soon, not flying in a permitted area could get you a fine. I still dont understand why people want to fly in or near an airport.

[rc-eflyer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

It's really scary, but what else would you expect with these being marketed and sold to people with absolutely no connection to the sport we all love. Any idiot can buy one of these and get it in the air since very little to no skill or training is required. I just hope that when the inevitable happens and innocent people pay the ultimate price for some jerks selfish and stupid motives for flying where he/she shouldn't that we all don't suffer the consequences.......but we probably will.

Steve

[Rocketeer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Greetings Guy's,

Indeed!!

These "pilots" evidently don't realized or don't care that as light as their drones are, getting too close to these large airliners could cause the drone to get drawn right into the engine intake vector and sucked right into the main engine!! 

In the end we may all suffer the consequences for the actions of the immature and irresponsible few.

I believe that someday we may be required to have a license to allow us to fly anything at all.
Just like a fishing license or a hunting license or a driver's license.

We may even see a drastic rise in AMA membership prices due to the incredibly escalated insurance requirements to cover RC aircraft/pilots.

All it would take is one serious accident directly attributable to an irresponsible RC "Pilot".
And it is human nature for us all to be guilty by association.


Bill L.
In Okla.

[farmflyer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

We need to be very careful when talking about "skill level or proper training or proper places to fly"when we discuss these incidents of stupid people being stupid. This may only give fuel to those that want to restrict what we do in this hobbie. We don't all have clubs or actual rc fields nearby. For me it's over 100 miles to the nearest club field and I tought myself to fly. That being said something definitely has to be done about these people causing the problems for us all.

[doctormike]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

The FAA already wanted us to take a test, but I think the AMA nixed that. It looks like we might have to call the tower if flying within 5 miles of an airport. Can you imagine the flight controllers wanting to be bothered with that?!!! But, really! Something needs to be done about the STUPIDS!!! Doc

[Hippie 64]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Best I can see there is only one reason for this, SMART ASS LITTLE ****S THAT NEED A HOLE STOMPED IN THE ASSES !!! 
 I read where a man with  his shotgun took one down in his back yard . It was hovering there with a camera on it . I would do the same . He said had it just flew over he wouldn't have minded but hovering was too much . 
 There will not be a fix for this until the newness of these Quads passes . 


Bryan 

[Alpha]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

For the record, we unequivocally condemn the operation of RC aircraft in unauthorized areas, especially where full size aircraft are in use. Operating RC models near active airports, runways, and occupied airspace is expressly forbidden by the AMA, and we view the irresponsible piloting of RC models near an airliner in this most recent case with equal disdain as all other instances of misuse. We believe that most RC pilots are responsible individuals who operate their RC models safely and in accordance with established local and federal laws. A few bad apples should not ruin the RC aviation hobby for the majority of its constituents, and we unite our voices with all those who designate these bad apples as reckless, miscreant individuals. These thoughtless people do not represent the RC aviation hobby whatsoever.

[Aros]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

I couldn't agree more with Alpha. I get as ticked off as the next person when I hear yet another news report about some fool potentially endangering lives just to get "a cool shot" or up close footage of air traffic, airliners, etc. Each of us is responsible for adhering to best safety practices of our RC aircraft 100% of the time. These people - regardless of motive - are creating a very wide gap between the hobby and the FAA. Sadly, the actions of the few could destroy future chances of operating drones by safety-conscious people if this continues.

Motion RC proudly aligns with the AMA in regards to the safe protocol of RC flight.

[starcop]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Wow, I'm very surprised that anyone with RC experience would even consider flying a drone or "Any type" of RC controlled flight device near an airport. That sickens me to think of the potential damage that could cause or person lose of life. That is a down right person with a vendetta if you ask me. Why would a person do such a thing in the first place. First he should be arrested, secondly fined so much he or she can no longer afford any RC equipment. Just like anything we do with an automobile or dangerous device operation, the same should apply. It just takes one bad apple to spoil the basket, sure does. I'm sorry to see such a poor use of a great hobby. Sure hope we all explain to our youth the difference of safe piloting and dangerous pilots. Take care men!

Matt

[StormyDog1962]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

The major problem they have is catching the individuals who are flying these Quads as we all know the individual will be a distance from the craft and once it returns home would be difficult to chase. What will happen is what has happened in Beijing, a representative from ZTW said they are banned within the city period! That will be our Governments response eventually, then they will ban them from any parks and open areas. as usual a few bad dumb apples ruin it for the rest of us. Simply calling the police may get you a response however the FAA has no ability to react to each case individually and that is why they will just collectively ban them all together. Lets all hope and pray that no innocent lives are lost to these few irresponsible people. And as a follow up to the Father who shot down the Quad that was being used by a real estate agency for photography, he was arrested for discharging a firearm illegally and is being sued by the Quad operator. Simply having one over fly and hover near or above your property does not allow you by law to shoot em down according to the FAA. We don't individually control the airspace but the Government does which will support their case when they attempt to ban these.

[PappaBear]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

I agree 100% with Alpha. Its very irresponsible not to mention dangerous to operate any unmanned aircraft in close proximity to human carrying aircraft, or structures, and people.

The biggest  problem as I see it is this. A small quadcopter is very easy to fly, and because of this almost anyone can buy one and fly it with some degree of success. With a little practice they can then take aerial photographs. However just because someone has been flying a quad cover for an hour that does not make them a safe and responsible pilot/operator. They have very little or no experience of the risks and dangers involved, or what to do in an emergency situation. If they were as difficult to fly and operate as R/C helicopter used to be in the 1970s, very few people would be flying them today. Then we wouldn't have the problem

The people flying small UAVs in a dangerous manner are not concerned with the safe operation of an R/C model, or what happens to our hobby. I am though, I've been flying R/C models for a very long time and I don't want to see the hobby in japery because of the mindless actions of a few individuals operating in an unsafe manner.  

Education and training is required for the safe operation of small UAVs, the problem is enforcing it. The responsible people will seek training and follow the guidelines for safe operation. The problem are those that don't.

Martin

[bradl4648]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Hi guys!!!
  Wow this is getting very disgusting to see some one use a quad in this way. Its not right its completely not cool!! We are just lucky that no one has caused a jet crash do to this miss use of a quad. I agree anyone that gets caught doing this should serve at least 1 year in jail, and a huge fine. I'm not a person who agrees on new laws but if us RCR's don't group together its going to be worse of for us. The people who are doing this have no value to human life .unless if it had their own family member or child in the plane then they would be mad. People are even having a quad follow them down the road, as their driving, this too is just about dumb as well. We will never know why people get thoughts of doing the dumbest of things they think is cool. Then when they sit in jail for life because thy killed some one with a quad. Then they will cry about why did I do that pathetic waste case to me. Quads are OK to me I do not want them to go away ,but if we keep having these people doing this. We are going to loose them and even possible or planes,helis over something dumb. I will not support anyone doing this ever its crazy ,irresponsible and a lack of common sense,to even think about doing this. Its time for us to express ourselves and get these guys out of the air but do this legally. 
Thanks BRAD  

[XF-15DCC]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Interesting, found this on another site

http://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/aerial-robots/is-drone-racing-legal

[Rocketeer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Greetings Gang,

Just returned from our annual teacher's Summer Conference. Time to play catch up.

WOW, this post really struck a nerve - as it should- and brought out almost the entire MRC regime!!
I really appreciate ALL of the comments and genuine, justifiable concerns.

This recent incident and the reactions associated with it will truly be one to keep our eyes on.

Bill L.
In Okla.

[farmflyer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

It is my understanding in the case of the father shooting down the quad is that his daughter was sun bathing in the back yard when the quad appeared over the yard after it didn't leave in a few minutes she went in and told her father. He went to the yard and it was still there then he went back in the house got the gun went back out to his back yard the quad still there he shot it down. Hmmm

[Rocketeer]

RE: 2 airliners fly within 100 feet of drone above New York!

Greetings,

If that really is the case then it's justifiable drone-a-cide!!

Bill L.
In Okla.