Hey Flappy look at post# 2865 This is why we need proof

Sorta like the Chief Pilot Instructor at the local air port was over heard by an R/C club member (EX airline captain) ... telling his instructors if U see anything out there Meaning our field, report it as a near miss.

That second video graphically demonstrates how a quad, if flown recklessly or by an inexperienced operator, can be dangerous to anyone in the area. If I'm going to fly anything, it will be a standard airplane. At least with one of those, you know what direction it's flying since it can't jump sideways or backwards on you

Tell ya what bro Next time U go flying at your club print out a Google Maps make a matrix like this
No. Date Pilot_______
1 2 Apr Joe Smith

X1 <---- Crash site

Then put an X with the corresponding number on the map where
the airplane crashed. U will be surprised Not only how many planes crash through your flying season but where and how many crash in or very close to people. Even though most medium to large planes are flown on the reservation they are more dangerous than small 5 lb Quads and under than most fixed wing

Think about this, do any of our radios legally have the power output to control something a mile away?

Yes they can transmit over a mile away. There are ranged extenders available.

well over that but true BLOS is done with HF R/C Radios

Yes off the shelf equipment can do 1 mile very easily.

This video shows stock 2.4Ghz equipment working out to 5+ miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxLJOLr7xQ

The specifications on DJI's Phantom 4 site lists FCC compliance to 3.1 miles.

http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-4/info#specs

Many radios can be fitted with UHF systems that are good for 30+ miles.

http://www.fpvpro.com/dragonlink/

Require a commercial license and transponder for anything with a camera on it. Problem solved

At 5000' they are doing 180-210 kts. And yes you can see a multi rotor at that speed. Just as you can identify birds and helium balloons when you pass them as well.


You guys want to bury your heads in the sand. You're not going to see pictures or video. Pilots are busy with the approach. Not pulling out their cell phones to take pictures. Not to mention Lufthansa pilots have no reason to make this up. They have no ulterior motives. If they say they saw a drone then I 100% believe them.

Food for Thaught.
So if I or any one builds a "DROE" that looks like a Canadian Goose with a camera on board and flies it in with the flock, What might be the ramifications. Then let's say an Eagle or a large Hawk to scare the Geese away. Whose to say.

Anyway, Soon ALL of US will have to take an FAA administered Computer test (Like I said should be done years ago) to fly anything R/C in the USA. It's in the New bill to soon to be submitted as law. It will be just as a drivers license is to day. It too will not solve all the "DRONE" problems just as people drive with revoked/suspended license today so will people fly with out an FAA "DRONE " License.

But you also have to remember, the FCC has mandated that our transmitters can only have a total output of .5 watts. Like anything else, that power dissipates the further it gets from the transmitting source. That being said, are range extenders legal for us to use or do they violate the .5 watt rule?

If we don't get these new FAA rules in place it will be the end of children's lives across America.

This video, better than any other, documents this very real hazard. God help us all!

http://youtu.be/Sppxdd4vvKY

Spot on. Pilot NOT at the controls is usually looking outside for traffic - and this near-miss highlights the reason why.

False & False

Confirmed & Caught (including evidence) - http://abc30.com/news/fresno-county-...drone/1186050/

Confirmed with video evidence - http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/alar...-high-29768087

That second video comes on the heals of two other incidents in downtown Seattle itself:
1) This one had a drone operator fly a quad up to the Space Needle's observation deck level(known to be 500ft AGL), fly two laps around the Needle and then fly down a busy street, taking video footage of the inside of an apartment building until it was spotted by an occupant of one who called police. The operator was able to bring the quad back to his location, pack up and drive away before police arrived
2) A quad was flown around the Seattle "Great Wheel" around dusk. The operator lost control of the quad which then hit the wheel, fell to the ground, smashing a plastic topped table at the restaurant below. The quad is now in the custody of the Seattle Police with word being put out by the local radio and television stations on how it can be claimed.

In the Space Needle incident, the quad was seen by several people on the Needle's outdoor observation deck so verification was provided by multiple people. No verification is needed in the second, considering the quad is presently in the possession of police.

Glad you mentioned birds and balloons, throw grocery bags up there too for good measure. Where are all the near miss reports on those, why isn't the media reporting on that?

Talk about burying heads in the sand, if you don't think that commercial pilots or their unions have ulterior motives...wow.

That would solve nothing.

It would if the FAA would bother themselves with NextGen. Anything with a transponder would show up on the pilots info and collision avoidance system. But the FAA cares nothing about NextGen.

And then the problem becomes "That plane knew where I my drone was, it's his fault we got close together"

How is that a problem? He should have avoided the drone. Not sure he would know it was a drone though.

How is that a problem. The full scale pilot should avoid the drone if on his CAS. Not sure he would know it was a drone.

The problem is the drone operators will EXPECT the aircraft to avoid them and fly where they aren't supposed to. You want to see a bunch of airlines fail due to no passengers because people are too afraid to fly?

So what if they do. It's just a tiny drone. The full scale aircraft will see it for miles and will have plenty of time to avoid it. It won't matter what the drone operator thinks.

Are you an airline pilot? I am. ALPA does have safety concerns and every time stuff like this happens it validates those concerns. However, there is not a plot out there by airline pilots to ground R/C aircraft or make false reports about drones. Especially ones from other countries.

My point about the balloons and birds is that it's not difficult to identify things that you encounter in flight. And yes birds and balloons do get reported if the pilot feels there is a potential impact to other aircraft...I.e. the objects are right on the approach. As for drones, I'm pretty sure a Phantom would do significant damage if it during an airliner doing 200-250 kts. That's why it's getting press.

I understand what you are saying and I do not disagree with it. My problem though, is that it HAS NOT happened. No lives have been lost due to a drone strike. FPV has been flown for 10 years now!!! No lives lost. With that said, how many poeple will die today in alcohol related accidents? How about drug overdoses thanks to the Pharmaceutical Industry? These are real lives and real families who have ACTUALLY died, yet we are more concerened with regulating a HOBBY to death over a perceived "threat" that has yet to materialize into anything other than hysteria?