Drone pilot detained and questioned (Canada)

[mavic3usa]

What went wrong here....on both sides; comments?

(Not me or my video)

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[Cafguy]

It is apparent that these officers do not understand their jobs. Why would a local police officer tell the pilot of Federal regulations that the officer cannot enforce anyway?
This officers misunderstanding of the rules is a great example of why it is not legal for local police to do the job of a Federal Officer. The police officers in my area are better trained in Drones that's for sure. They will walk up to you and simply ask if you posses a Trust Card. If you dont you will be asked nicely to land and leave and I have never had a local officer quote weight regulations to me. The officers in this video are fishing and should be reported.

 

[Cafguy]

I forgot to say that if that Pilot was doing a 107 flight he should have contacted the local police first. Its not a rule or a law BUT it sure saves the pilot and the police a TON of headaches.

 

[MARK (LI)]

I forgot to say that if that Pilot was doing a 107 flight he should have contacted the local police first. Its not a rule or a law BUT it sure saves the pilot and the police a TON of headaches.

This took place in Canada...and it seems like these were the local cops....

 

[Felix le Chat]

So.... the Canadian version of 'auditor', whose first name is spelled P.I.T.A.

The only thing that struck me was how polite the older mountie was being... and how reasonable he remained in the face of a bombastic jackass hell-bent on provoking a reaction for his clickbait video.

It is reassuring to see that Canada, America and Britain is plagued by people not in the least bit concerned with throwing a spanner in the works for every other drone user.

J.A.J. Just Another Jerk.

 

[CadrePilot]

That video was a waste of time.
The officers, while possibly in the wrong, were polite and patient throughout.
The pilot, assuming he was right, was also condescending and arrogant, traits he attributed to the officers but not himself.

 

[Max Headroom]

I used to find these "Auditors" mildly amusing as they gave lessons to cops who didn't know what they were talking about but so many have now jumped on the bandwagon they could easily push authorities to change the rules especially on sub 249g drones which will hurt us all not just them.

 

[MARK (LI)]

What went wrong happened before the video started when the person dreamed up this confrontation....no point to the video.....I am not a big fan of cops, but these guys kept kooool and polite even as this guy was pushing their buttons. The person was trying to make a point....but the only point that he made is that he is a jerk

 

[Zbip57]

I really hate these stupid "auditor" videos.

They could have simply replied, "Hang on a second while I land my sub-250g drone, then I'll educate you as to how what I'm doing is all completely legal." Be a respectful and decent human being. You can still go home feeling all superior about how you know the law better than some dumb policeman. But being a d*ck about it just so you can get more hits on your YouTube video doesn't do the drone community any favours.

They set up a lawn chair and flew a drone right from the shoulder of the road, here, opposite "The Great Lakes Marine Security Operations Centre (GL MSOC)". It was a setup deliberately designed to provoke a response from the police. Poking the police is a dumb hobby.

 

[Vic Moss]

I forgot to say that if that Pilot was doing a 107 flight he should have contacted the local police first. Its not a rule or a law BUT it sure saves the pilot and the police a TON of headaches.

Why? It’s a PITA if you do that. Plus, they just don’t care.

 

[Cafguy]

They are actually grateful at times. If they receive a report of a drone flying in an area they will already know and won't waste time and resources on a call that they are not needed at. It can also be a very handy thing to hand your Karen a local police dept. phone number to call in case they have questions or complaints about your flight. and they do care and are usually very helpful to Drone pilots when they do their best to cooperate with the local authorities.

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

If they receive a report of a drone flying in an area they will already know and won't waste time and resources on a call that they are not needed at.

Most times, if someone calls, they will have to come out anyway. We have the same here with burn permits from the fire department. Even though you got the permit from them and they are aware of it, if someone calls, they are obligated to come out anyway.

 

[CadrePilot]

They are actually grateful at times. If they receive a report of a drone flying in an area they will already know and won't waste time and resources on a call that they are not needed at. It can also be a very handy thing to hand your Karen a local police dept. phone number to call in case they have questions or complaints about your flight. and they do care and are usually very helpful to Drone pilots when they do their best to cooperate with the local authorities.

Caller: "Someone is doing something I'm not familiar with."
Police: "We'll send someone out to check out that perfectly legal activity to make you feel better."

 

[dart106]

What a complete waste of time. This guy was intent on creating a confrontation, and he got it. To prove what? He’s the smartest guy on the side of the road? No doubt the LEOs were POed at the time this guy was wasting. Not to mention, a supervisor got pulled into the situation. After wasting 30 minutes of their time, they were most likely looking for the slightest of legal infractions to impose action on this “drone hero”, who gives the drone community a bad name. He is now on their radar. With his pompous attitude, they will be far less likely to cut him a break during a future encounter.

 

[Zbip57]

He is now on their radar. With his pompous attitude, they will be far less likely to cut him a break during a future encounter.

Of course we should stand up for our rights, rather than meekly roll over when challenged by tyrants in uniforms. But...

If the goal is to educate others about what you can or cannot legally do with your drone, then fine. It benefits everyone in the community if we work together and cooperatively toward that goal of education.

But deliberately setting out to taunt and confront police is a stupid game. The author of that video, "Sabrina Hill", has posted similar videos with the same agenda of intentionally provoking a police response and is already well known to the Niagara Regional Police.

 

[GFields]

Pilot was doing a 107

He's in Canada and not under FAA or Part 107 rules

 

[tstr14]

Just because you CAN poke a bear, it doesn't mean you SHOULD poke a bear. I have schooled "officials" on drone laws and firearm laws. Some believe that "officials" should know every law there is. I can not speak for Canada, but there are so many laws in the US, that expecting a police officer or other official to be fluent on them all is unreasonable. In every case, once I explained things calmly and allowed the person to verify if they desired what I had explained, the person has always been respectful and thanked me. It simply goes back to the old "Treat others as you would like to be treated". Getting in their face and being an *** will most likely result in you being treated the same way in return, whether you are right or not.