Drones already a problem at the Super Bowl

Lapeer20m · Feb 2, 2019

Interesting enough, yesterdays Tfr expired at midnight and today’s doesn’t start until 10am est, so there appears to be no current active Tfr...

Decal Josh · Feb 2, 2019

Wow $20,000 + fine plus FBI involved confiscation of personal property, all for just an unoriginal uninspired (and maybe even copyright protected) photo for your Instafame page.

Jackcutrone · Feb 2, 2019

Babaganoosh said:
Do they have pictures of these confiscated drones? Law enforcement loves to display the type of stuff on a table for a photo op.

Yes. I’ve seen them on tv

Joe4flight · Feb 2, 2019

I was on a business trip last week and had the good fortune to sit next to a young pilot who was commuting to the airport I was flying into. He was into Harley’s but we also talked about drone flying. He mentioned that newer drones all have a chip that limits altitude. However, older drones do not. Older drones are also less high-techy, so their functionality and maneuverability is more limited which potentially makes them more dangerous. I asked if he had any issues with airborne drones when flying a jet. He said no. He did mention the FAA has guidelines for drones. He believed all drone pilots needed to get an FAA license but was not positive. I’m not positive either. I suspect if a drone pilot has plans to use the drone professionally, then an FAA license may be necessary. I also learned how to get 60 free minutes of WiFi while in flight. Very worthwhile!

Echo1 · Feb 2, 2019

Clipper707 said:
There's a pattern to every airport drone report.

Someone calls BS on it.

Someone posts the ID chart.

"They're going to ruin the hobby for everyone." (At least this person accepts the possibility this could be a true sighting.)

"I doubt a pilot could see a drone doing 500 knots, especially if he's multitasking with flaps, instruments and landing gear."

What? No video? Someone else refuses to believe because the aforementioned multitasking pilot didn't snap a photo of the drone with his iPhone.

"A Mavic can't even go that high." (Forgetting there are non-DJI drones out there. And early Phantom 1 and 2 drones.)

And my favorite: the Conspiracy Theory. The whole thing is being fabricated with the collusion of the FAA and pilots so they can restrict drones further, (despite the FAA seeming to be relaxing drone rules.)

Am I missing any?

I'm not saying the sightings are real or imagined, but the assumptions and opinions come in before any further information or evidence. It's kind of knee-jerk, really.

Whether it's airports or sports stadiums, I never underestimate the quantity and ability of idiots, including some drone operators.

You're forgetting ... The government smoke and mirrors.. Distracting the public with srone activity so eyes are to the sky and someone just walks through security as a real threat.

Decal Josh · Feb 2, 2019

Clipper707 said:
There's a pattern to every airport drone report.

Someone calls BS on it.

Someone posts the ID chart.

"They're going to ruin the hobby for everyone." (At least this person accepts the possibility this could be a true sighting.)

"I doubt a pilot could see a drone doing 500 knots, especially if he's multitasking with flaps, instruments and landing gear."

What? No video? Someone else refuses to believe because the aforementioned multitasking pilot didn't snap a photo of the drone with his iPhone.

"A Mavic can't even go that high." (Forgetting there are non-DJI drones out there. And early Phantom 1 and 2 drones.)

And my favorite: the Conspiracy Theory. The whole thing is being fabricated with the collusion of the FAA and pilots so they can restrict drones further, (despite the FAA seeming to be relaxing drone rules.)

Am I missing any?

I'm not saying the sightings are real or imagined, but the assumptions and opinions come in before any further information or evidence. It's kind of knee-jerk, really.

Whether it's airports or sports stadiums, I never underestimate the quantity and ability of idiots, including some drone operators.

You forgot the “questioning authority” part!

JDawg · Feb 2, 2019

Echo1 said:
You're forgetting ... The government smoke and mirrors.. Distracting the public with srone activity so eyes are to the sky and someone just walks through security as a real threat.

You kind of lost me there...

Jackcutrone · Feb 2, 2019

Babaganoosh said:
That agent also has the controller in the picture. Do they have the authority to seize someone's property like that? I'm sure they will bully you and most will comply but I'm not an expert so I'm not sure. If a drone is considered an aircraft can they just seize and hold your property?

Yes, if you are using it to break the law. Can the police take a gun from an armed robber? Not even a question.

Jackcutrone · Feb 2, 2019

macoman said:
I assumed that if the guy flew the drone where is marked a NFZ and didn't even called to notify the fly. He is liable for flying in a prohibitive zone. But involving the FBI is just too much. He should have received only a fine.

Uh - I think maybe the FBI is there because the Superbowl would be a very attractive target for a terrorist so I think it's a good idea that they are there. And if they seize a few non-terrorist drones of people flying illegally - that's ok by me

Maviac · Feb 2, 2019

macoman said:
Would like to know this as well. I don't trust law enforcement without pictures or videos as evidence.

I personally saw one while driving past the stadium yesterday. It could have belonged to law enforcement, I guess, but there was definitely one up there.

Babaganoosh · Feb 2, 2019

Jackcutrone said:
Yes, if you are using it to break the law. Can the police take a gun from an armed robber? Not even a question.

Not even close to the same thing.

Jackcutrone · Feb 2, 2019

The law refers to either as the instrumentality of the crime. As such it is subject to seizure by a law enforcement officer. Whether you agree that flying the drone contrary to the law is another matter entirely

Tony Kiburis · Feb 2, 2019

I bet those drones were flown by Recreational drone pilots who would not know where the NOTAM is published for the Super Bowl airspace.
They probably never heard of a NOTAM (manned aircraft speak for: Notice To Airmen).

Blaksony · Feb 2, 2019

Babaganoosh said:
Do they have pictures of these confiscated drones? Law enforcement loves to display the type of stuff on a table for a photo op.

CBS This Morning earlier did a story on arrested drones and displayed everything on a large table from a spark to a phantom so they aren’t kidding around

Clipper707 · Feb 2, 2019

russellg said:
Just a general comment in defense of drones. The down wash from a helicopter (assuming the helicopter is above the drone) would destroy the drone and flip it over and send it earth bound. No fixed wing aircraft are allowed under 500 feet over anything (crowds, boats, parks, etc.) and most of the time this is 1000 feet. and don't trust CNN for anything they report in the news, they just accused our Virginia governor of being an R when he is actually a D.

While a plausible theory, that same downwash could drive a drone into the windscreen, or other part, of the helicopter.

The FAA recorded 665 helicopter bird strikes in 3 years. It's not an astronomical number, but they are attributing one fatality and several injuries to the bird strikes.

The article doesn't mention how many birds were destroyed by the helicopters' downwash.

dirkclod · Feb 2, 2019

Blaksony said:
CBS This Morning earlier did a story on arrested drones and displayed everything on a large table from a spark to a phantom so they aren’t kidding around

Drones restricted around Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta
Pulled these from a post on this from PP

macoman · Feb 2, 2019

dirkclod said:
Drones restricted around Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta
Pulled these from a post on this from PP
View attachment 61574 View attachment 61575 View attachment 61576 View attachment 61577 View attachment 61578 View attachment 61579

Clearly the FBI don't play around with big events like the Superbowl.

Maviac · Feb 2, 2019

“None of the confiscated drone pilots were Part 107 pilots” per the PhantomPilots post. Not to disparage non-certificated pilots, but why the **** would you consider flying around there at all (MBS is already a restricted area, all the time) but especially this week???

sar104 · Feb 2, 2019

Maviac said:
“None of the confiscated drone pilots were Part 107 pilots” per the PhantomPilots post. Not to disparage non-certificated pilots, but why the **** would you consider flying around there at all (MBS is already a restricted area, all the time) but especially this week???

Simple ignorance of the law is probably the most likely explanation. Not giving a **** may also be an issue.