Etiquette - Flying near state-owned sites

[Fadelight]

In the area where I live, there are several state owned sites (such as historic sites), that are not listed as no-fly zones. There are no laws pertaining to flying drones in these areas.

Regardless, I just sent an email requesting permission to fly near a historic site (consisting of an old town road and 4-5 buildings that are open for tours during the day and on weekends) that is run by a foundation, just to be sure. In the request, I stated that I was a hobby photographer, and the pictures were for personal use only. I said I would be thrilled to share any of my pictures with the foundation. I stated that my intent was to fly mid-week before they opened or after they closed, so the area would be 100% free of people, and I would not be interfering with their daily routines.

There was more included in the email, but that's the gist of it.

But, while I was writing the email, I started to wonder... what do you guys consider proper etiquette for such places?

I've seen quite a few people who ask permission for absolutely everything (This is how I tend to be, to an extent), But I have also seen the majority of the people with UAVs do a quick check to make sure they are not in a no-fly zone and toss their UAV up without another hesitation.


I'm not worried about being fined or anything. My main concern is how other people view this hobby / this aspect of photography. I am the only person in my area with a drone, so I'm trying to do my part to keep how others view this as positive. (And so far, I think its going great.)

 

[Mavic Dude]

I wouldn't worry about it.
If no one is around (more than a few people) and you follow the rules (keep drone in site, no airports ect) you should be fine.

 

[tcope]

If I understand the question correctly, it's a toss up for me. Don't go the extra mile in asking for permission when it's not needed and then you know you can fly but perhaps someone will take offense or ask for permission and run the risk of getting asked not to fly. For me, it depends on the location. If I feel that people are going to know I'm flying there I'll probably ask. Examples, I've flown at churches before they were open and people were not on the property. I did not ask. I wanted to fly over a corn maze before it was open but people were working around the area. In that case I asked as it was going to be obvious that a drone was over the maze (they said yes). I look at each situation differently and, as mentioned above, my test is how obvious is it going to be to people that I'm flying in that area.

 

[originalfoto]

Who did you send the email to 'request permission'? It's likely that those operating/managing the site have no clue about drone laws/rules and may so 'no' just out of caution and/or ignorance. If that happens, but you are well within your legal right to fly there, what would you then do? Not fly?

 

[Fadelight]

Just to clarify, the town I live in has a population of 800, and more than half are family. The town I asked about flying in is a town with a population of less than 300, and I know a dozen of the people that work at a cheese making plant within the area I want to fly. The nearest "City" is 40 minutes away and has a population of 16k people.

The very second I share a picture with just one person, everyone in town will know I was there. So if I don't want anyone to find out, I can't ever show my pictures to anyone else. Which, in my opinion, negates the purpose of taking them. So realistically, flying at a time when no one will find out is definitely not possible.

Small town problems, right? lol.


Foto, I sent the email to the foundation, which consists of like 3 people, and they are very hands-on with running the site. One of them gives tours. The only problem I might run into with them receiving the email is that most people in this area are not good with computers (that's putting it nicely), so they might only check the emails once a week or once a month. But the correct people will definitely receive it.


EDIT: Admin - I just realized this went in the wrong section. it was meant for the general discussion section. My apologies. I will be more careful in the future.

 

[leenanj]

Trying to please everyone will never happen in this world.
Be nice but don't go out of your way.

There is an old saying 'Formula for failure, try to please everyone'

 

[Robert Mitchell]

First of all, in the US it is a perfectly legal to photograph something in public, by drone, by hand or by taping a camera to a pole. The FAA also insures that as long as we are in legal airspace we have the right to fly there.

I think it is a dangerous trend to have to ask permission to do what is already legal, and will only result in us being denied rights, either accidentally, or deliberately.

That said, if you are obviously going to disturb the peace, or enjoyment of those at the site, by all means, get permission or don't fly.

 

[erkme73]

What's that old saying? Better to ask for forgiveness than for permission?

 

[Fadelight]

lol. You guys all have valid points. I think I'm starting to regret sending the email this morning.

Lesson learned.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

lol. You guys all have valid points. I think I'm starting to regret sending the email this morning.

Lesson learned.

Well, you can't be blamed because too many don't even think, or use common sense. At least you are thinking about the possible negative consequences of your activity.
Bottom line, be respectful, but exercise your right to fly!

 

[DSGDSG]

Personally I think it's a double edged sword. Asking(begging) for permission when you don't have to just conditions the people to think they need to be asked by everyone else IMHO. If I was going to fly when no one was around and the likelihood anyone knowing I was ever there was low I wouldn't have bothered calling attention to it. For all you know you just put the idea in their head to start making rules they never put any thought into before.

 

[geigy]

lol. You guys all have valid points. I think I'm starting to regret sending the email this morning.

Lesson learned.

Not at all. I think you did well by everyone concerned with your email to the foundation. Better than well!

Thank you for helping project a positive image for the rest of us who are loving the drone experience.

 

[Fadelight]

I have another scenario to run past you guys, but its still relatively on topic, so Im not going to make another thread.

There is a ski resort here. It spans 8 mountain peaks, so its a pretty vast area. Normally ski areas are off limits for drones (and I completely understand why), but this one comes with some special circumstances.

1) The ski resort is not privately owned property. It is part of a state forest, and they are listed as managers (they lease the land).

2) As such, technically the only parts of the resort are their trails, lifts, parking lots, etc. If you step into the woods, you are on state property.

3) This state forest (or the ski area, for that matter) are not listed on the FAA no-fly list.

4) I believe the ski resort is severely overstepping their bounds with their policy. It reads (understandably) that drones are not permitted to be flown from or over land the resort manages. This includes parking lots and hotels. The sketchy part is that they also claim you cant legally launch from any privately held property that overlooks the mountains they manage, even if you never leave the private property. (2 reasons this is sketchy... 1) theres no place in this region you cant see their mountain. Its the highest peak here. 2) How can they have any say over what private land owners do?)

5) There are several hiking trails in the area. One is national land (Apalachian trail) but none of the rest are, and they are seldom trafficed areas.


From a legal standpoint - and im pretty sure I already know the answer since it seems common sense - Is there actually anything they could do if I launch from either private property or from state land surrounding their area?


As a side note... I can launch from my own driveway and 4 of "their" mountains come into view at 150', so according to their policy, im breaking the law by flying at my own house in a completely different town more than 10 miles away. hmmmm.

 

[its2loud]

Personally I think it's a double edged sword. Asking(begging) for permission when you don't have to just conditions the people to think they need to be asked by everyone else IMHO. If I was going to fly when no one was around and the likelihood anyone knowing I was ever there was low I wouldn't have bothered calling attention to it. For all you know you just put the idea in their head to start making rules they never put any thought into before.

This is exactly the kind of behavior that will warrant more restrictions for UAS's.

 

[DSGDSG]

This is exactly the kind of behavior that will warrant more restrictions for UAS's.

Lol, you've got quite the chicken little, doomsday is coming personality eh? You're convinced that not asking for permission to fly in a place where you're not violating any rules is whats going to bring us more restrictions? That's awfully silly. Well, IMHO attitudes and actions like yours is part of what is dragging the US down.

 

[Fadelight]

Can we not turn this into a "My outlook is better than yours, USA sucks" kind of thread? Pretty please? We all get to read far too much of that elsewhere.

 

[its2loud]

If I was going to fly when no one was around and the likelihood anyone knowing I was ever there was low I wouldn't have bothered calling attention to it.

I could have misinterpreted this line. To me it implies sneaking around and flying someplace you're not supposed to and if nobody is around to see it then just go ahead and do it anyway. If that wasn't your implication then I stand corrected.

 

[DSGDSG]

I could have misinterpreted this line. To me it implies sneaking around and flying someplace you're not supposed to and if nobody is around to see it then just go ahead and do it anyway. If that wasn't your implication then I stand corrected.

There's no uncertainty, you absolutely did. My response made it clear I was talking about asking for permission when no need to ask for it exists. Why'd you disregard that important point and assume something sinister? Maybe because you couldn't wait to blame someone else for the rain on your parade? Maybe it's because that's what you do and you're projecting on me figuring I must do it too? Who knows, I've got no idea. But either way, you were flat out wrong in your assessment.

 

[its2loud]

I agree. I don't think it's necessary to ask if we absolutely know there are no restrictions or laws prohibiting flying. I do think that if those variables are not extremely clear then it only exhibits good flying practices to ask any governing authorities. We might have different opinions on the definition of "no need for it exists". Just because nobody is around doesn't make it right to fly in an unknown space. Thanks for clearing up any confusion and for pointing out that I was flat out wrong. Always good to get clarification.