Got Shut Down Due to a Presidenial Visit

[Macinfo]

That's not even a close example.

Better would be that you are driving in an area marked Military Property, No Trespassing. Even if you don't see a sign around Area 51 (as an example) if you cross into the property via the desert, they will be there within minutes to stop you and investigate you. There is NO leeway.

Considering the current state of Area 51, if you enter the area, the most they should do is escort you out.

But the discussion is an exercise in futility it appears, seems that some believe there are no options, TFR kicks in, and perhaps depending on the flight situation, the pilot just kisses their drone good-bye... and for what, the lack of a few minutes of normal control of your drone to land safely.. unbelievable, Sure its probably a rare situation, but it doesn't have to happen at all..

 

[Kilrah]

if you happen to be flying when one comes up

You're not supposed to be there, and it was your responsibility to inform yourself and figure out that you were going to have to be gone by the time the TFR becomes active. If you didn't, your problem.

 

[DoomMeister]

Considering the current state of Area 51, if you enter the area, the most they should do is escort you out.

But the discussion is an exercise in futility it appears, seems that some believe there are no options, TFR kicks in, and perhaps depending on the flight situation, the pilot just kisses their drone good-bye... and for what, the lack of a few minutes of normal control of your drone to land safely.. unbelievable, Sure its probably a rare situation, but it doesn't have to happen at all..

The answer to that is for DJI to have the drone return before the TFR goes into effect. Since they have the capability to force land when the TFR goes active it should be no problem to have the aircraft return to home beforehand.

The onus is still on the pilot (yes even recreational pilots since they fly in the NAS) to be aware of restrictions that may be or become effective while they are inflight. No excuses!

 

[spudster]

seems that some believe there are no options,

There is no option, it is the law. If you lose your drone because of that you have no one to blame but yourself.

 

[PompousWindbag]

I had an interesting situation arise not long ago, in which a pending temporary flight restriction was announced while I was in the air! It included a countdown. I brought it back down with about 40 seconds to spare until the temporary restriction was in place!

 

[BruddahMidds]

I can’t understand why there wouldn’t be a TFR pre warning with a countdown timer giving you five minutes to RTH. A drone falling out of the sky could create a set of dangerous circumstances contributing to loss of life or damage to property and then who bears the responsibility for the damage? The UAV pilot or the institution that brought the drone down?

 

[Heavydpj]

Today I was grounded due to a temporary flight restriction. I was not able to take off. Does anyone know what would happen if I had taken off before the restriction was in effect, would Return to Home have kicked in or would have just been forced to land?

I've lived that dream - sort of. I took off without a GPS lock. Once the craft connected to the satellite constellation and realized where it was, it gave be a 10 second warning, and began to autoland ... right into the ocean.

 

[DoomMeister]

A question for the DJI experts - If you are flying without a connection to the internet and a TFR goes into effect where you are flying, will the aircraft still become aware of the TFR and auto land? I have the suspicion that this can only occur with an active connection to the internet.

 

[Macinfo]

There is no option, it is the law. If you lose your drone because of that you have no one to blame but yourself.

Really like you all or nothing people... its the law, until something thats a "law" that "you" really don't like happens to you.. There are options here, they just need to be implemented..

 

[eEridani]

Yeah, same - first time I've seen a 30 mile radius though. SS must understand this is Idaho and the majority of the folk living here hate anything progressive.

Air Aware - The Leading Airspace & Situational Awareness Tool for Drone Operators

Can I fly my drone here? Use Air Aware on the web or mobile devices to check the airspace for federal & local UAS rules & regulations before taking flight.

b4ufly.aloft.ai

 

[eEridani]

A question for the DJI experts - If you are flying without a connection to the internet and a TFR goes into effect where you are flying, will the aircraft still become aware of the TFR and auto land? I have the suspicion that this can only occur with an active connection to the internet.

Not an expert, but the idea you should follow is FLIGHT PLANNING. NOTAM's and TFR's rarely if ever are immediate without notice. See my post above. A presidential visit is planned, a NOTAM with a TFR issued - IN ADVANCE - usually days or even weeks in advance.

Look through the TRUST guidelines again. You'll see planning is a part of what the FAA is asking drone enthusiasts to do.

 

[DoomMeister]

Not an expert, but the idea you should follow is FLIGHT PLANNING. NOTAM's and TFR's rarely if ever are immediate without notice. See my post above. A presidential visit is planned, a NOTAM with a TFR issued - IN ADVANCE - usually days or even weeks in advance.

Look through the TRUST guidelines again. You'll see planning is a part of what the FAA is asking drone enthusiasts to do.

I couldn’t agree more with planning and TRUST should have gone into resources for that in considerably more detail.

My point here is will the system still be aware of the TFR while inflight if it does not have a live connection to the internet?

My drones do not use the internet inflight and all my planning must be done prior to launch if I wish to avoid possible legality issues.

 

[DoomMeister]

Yeah, same - first time I've seen a 30 mile radius though. SS must understand this is Idaho and the majority of the folk living here hate anything progressive.

Air Aware - The Leading Airspace & Situational Awareness Tool for Drone Operators

Can I fly my drone here? Use Air Aware on the web or mobile devices to check the airspace for federal & local UAS rules & regulations before taking flight.

b4ufly.aloft.ai

The POTUS TFR’s have been 30 mile radius for some time now. Since getting into drones in late 2017 they have all been that size. POTUS was in Florida a lot during the winter during 2018 through 2020.

 

[BigAl07]

Yeah, same - first time I've seen a 30 mile radius though. SS must understand this is Idaho and the majority of the folk living here hate anything progressive.

Air Aware - The Leading Airspace & Situational Awareness Tool for Drone Operators

Can I fly my drone here? Use Air Aware on the web or mobile devices to check the airspace for federal & local UAS rules & regulations before taking flight.

b4ufly.aloft.ai

Presidential TFR's have been 30 miles for a long time. Long before our "hobby" was even thought about. Keep in mind we're flying in the National Airspace System and we're flying within an existing regulatory framework and as such its up to US to fit into the EXISTING system and not expect everything aspect being changed to work around us.

I can pretty well assure you the SS is well aware of the "folk" there and its of little concern to how, when, where they enforce the Security of a VIP. a VIP TFR is a major event and busting one could end with very dire results.

 

[eEridani]

I couldn’t agree more with planning and TRUST should have gone into resources for that in considerably more detail.

My point here is will the system still be aware of the TFR while inflight if it does not have a live connection to the internet?

My drones do not use the internet inflight and all my planning must be done prior to launch if I wish to avoid possible legality issues.

I don't have a web connection when flying, either. It isn't required and just hogs resources. But, I do use the web to plan a flight, thus have no excuse to not know about NOTAM/TFRs that are in force during the flight. Again, TFR's don't 'just appear' out of nowhere.

This latest TFR for Biden is the first Presidential VIP TFR I've been personally exposed to. Always learning.

 

[Cklballs]

Today I was grounded due to a temporary flight restriction. I was not able to take off. Does anyone know what would happen if I had taken off before the restriction was in effect, would Return to Home have kicked in or would have just been forced to land?

I had this happen to me when Trump came to Hickory to campaign. However, I was "in flight". I got a warning that I was in restricted air space and landed immediately. Afterwards, I could not take of from my back yard. By the way, I was approximately 85 miles from Hickory.

 

[eEridani]

Here's the TFR for Boise, for today's VIP visit: it was issued days ago. If I went flying today, my DJI app may not be caught up with what is GOING to happen, but only REACTS to what IS happening. This is where the PLAN part comes into the discussion. If you are going to be flying, it is a good idea to be aware of what is going to be happening in your area. The last thing you want to do is to drive some distance to a great flight location only to find out once you are there it is shutdown for some other event - an event that was planned months back. TFR's are rarely instant on closures. They do not require all airplanes to immediately fall out of the sky - which is exactly what would happen if some TFR shows up out of nowhere.

1/6369 NOTAM Details

Number : FDC 1/6369
Issue Date : September 11, 2021 at 1250 UTC
Location : Boise, Idaho
Beginning Date and Time : September 13, 2021 at 1715 UTC
Ending Date and Time : September 13, 2021 at 2100 UTC
Reason for NOTAM : Temporary flight restrictions for VIP Movement
Type : VIP
Replaced NOTAM(s) : N/A

ps: while there probably have been such 'instant on' TFR's (09/11 is one where they shutdown ALL airspace) - the FAA does not use them because of the confusion they'd cause to General Aviation and Commercial traffic.

 

[Prop Wash]

I won't be flying today. (1) I'm at work. (2) POTUS will be in Northern California today to tour areas devastated by wildfires, talk to residents affected. This evening, Mr. Biden will be in Southern California to support Governor Newsom (D) who's facing a recall election tomorrow. The polls, at this point, are showing the Governor is likely to keep his job. We'll find out tomorrow if the polls are right.

 

[eEridani]

I challenge anyone to produce a TFR that has an issue time and date that is the same as the start time and date. It will have an official number, and a link to the TFR database.

ps: ... I did find this one: but it relates to firefighting ... which is understandable and expected.

FDC 1/6734
Issue Date : September 12, 2021 at 2253 UTC
Location : 35 MILES E VISALIA, California
Beginning Date and Time : September 12, 2021 at 2245 UTC
Ending Date and Time : November 12, 2021 at 0700 UTC
Reason for NOTAM : TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTING AVIATION OPS
Type : Hazards