Has anybody ever flown in a national park?

[Schnauzergeek]

Why do you insist that there will be dozens and dozens of drones flying around people, if they are properly integrated and restricted? With proper integration, I’d be surprised if you were unlucky enough to even see ONE, on any given trip.

Why is it always knee jerk paranoia with many? Is it the media that has folks terrified of gloom and doom hoards of drones?

Okay how about just taking the path of empathy? If I were a family taking the trip of a lifetime to a National Park to see the BEAUTY & SERENITY of our national parks and JUST ONE knucklehead is buzzing his drone around me while my family is trying to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the scene. Maybe just a little selfish on your part trying to get that “money shot”? No knee jerk paranoia, just common courtesy for my fellow citizens.

 

[MavicCF]

Any Australians on here that could comment on any negative affects from drones in NPs?
I am definetly all for it, although it would probably be wise to exclude the most popular tourist attractions from drones (like Old Faithful etc) but there are millions of miles of open, beautiful, and unpopulated wilderness where flying would be both amazing and unobtrusive.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Okay how about just taking the path of empathy? If I were a family taking the trip of a lifetime to a National Park to see the BEAUTY & SERENITY of our national parks and JUST ONE knucklehead is buzzing his drone around me while my family is trying to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the scene. Maybe just a little selfish on your part trying to get that “money shot”? No knee jerk paranoia, just common courtesy for my fellow citizens.

Understood and agreed, which is why I and many advocate for proper integration with folks concerns in mind.
I don’t think that’s asking too much.

 

[macoman]

Any Australians on here that could comment on any negative affects from drones in NPs?
I am definetly all for it, although it would probably be wise to exclude the most popular tourist attractions from drones (like Old Faithful etc) but there are millions of miles of open, beautiful, and unpopulated wilderness where flying would be both amazing and unobtrusive.

Same issue in the US. We have millions of acres in NPs and we could use a specific area just for RC users. This is not been selfish, this is asking for common sense approach. I know that NP have sensitive areas where endangered species live.

 

[Schnauzergeek]

Understood and agreed, which is why I and many advocate for proper integration with folks concerns in mind.
I don’t think that’s asking too much.

As stated earlier by others it’s very difficult to get compliance on the stricter laws, so imagine what will happen if they are less restrictive. I guess I’m just lucky enough to live where I have access to many scenic areas to fly that are legally permitted where my feathers aren’t ruffled if I’m prevented from flying in a National Park. Good luck and happy flying!

 

[MavicCF]

Same issue in the US. We have millions of acres in NPs and we could use a specific area just for RC users. This is not been selfish, this is asking for common sense approach. I know that NP have sensitive areas where endangered species live.

Sorry for the confusion, I am in the USA, but I believe it is legal in Australia to fly in NPs. I was just wondering if there were any Australians that wanted to comment on this topic from their point of view.

 

[black_magic100]

Okay how about just taking the path of empathy? If I were a family taking the trip of a lifetime to a National Park to see the BEAUTY & SERENITY of our national parks and JUST ONE knucklehead is buzzing his drone around me while my family is trying to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the scene. Maybe just a little selfish on your part trying to get that “money shot”? No knee jerk paranoia, just common courtesy for my fellow citizens.

The average drone battery doesn't last that long. Your telling me the potential of 20 minutes having to hear a drone in the distance is going to ruin your vacation?

 

[tcope]

Except that you are ignoreing facts too.

The most important being, that this issue was documented by the NPS, to be studied and to find ways to INTEGRATE them where and when they would cause no harm.

Below are the links to the official information from the NPS:

Unmanned Aircraft in the National Parks (U.S. National Park Service)

4. This Policy Memorandum will remain in effect until superseded or rescinded by the Director.

No where does it state that this is a temporary ban. If you have information that states otherwise, please feel free to post it.

Here is where the letter addresses the duration:

4. This Policy Memorandum will remain in effect until superseded or rescinded by the Director.

I'm not ignoring any facts. There is a ban and the powers that be have not stated that it's a temp ban or that they have any plans on lifting the ban.

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Below are the links to the official information from the NPS:

Unmanned Aircraft in the National Parks (U.S. National Park Service)

4. This Policy Memorandum will remain in effect until superseded or rescinded by the Director.

No where does it state that this is a temporary ban. If you have information that states otherwise, please feel free to post it.

Here is where the letter addresses the duration:

4. This Policy Memorandum will remain in effect until superseded or rescinded by the Director.

I'm not ignoring any facts. There is a ban and the powers that be have not stated that it's a temp ban or that they have any plans on lifting the ban.

Wrong again. Click the link in post # 14. This was the original document defining the ban. You do know what the word “interim” means right?
Additionally, it was widely reported by both the agency and industry insiders at the time as temporary.
Now, go in and read the original document as published by the NSP and then tell me what their intention was.

 

[Mr. Salty]

Sorry for the confusion, I am in the USA, but I believe it is legal in Australia to fly in NPs. I was just wondering if there were any Australians that wanted to comment on this topic from their point of view.

I posted a link earlier in this thread detailing the restrictions on flying drones in Australia's national parks.

 

[Schnauzergeek]

The average drone battery doesn't last that long. Your telling me the potential of 20 minutes having to hear a drone in the distance is going to ruin your vacation?

You’re telling me that you’re STILL trying to debate this topic? It’s not worth it. Let’s move along and agree to disagree! How about not bothering someone at all? Whether it be 20 minutes or 5 minutes it would still be an unnecessary nuisance!

 

[Mr. Salty]

I’ve talked to rangers who say it takes an act of Congress. Don’t kid yourself by reading the public line.

Yet there seems to be evidence that drones are being used in parks without an act of Congress. In fact, the NPS has its own Unmanned Aircraft System Specialist:

https://www.nps.gov/articles/nps-un...m_medium=website&utm_campaign=experience_more
https://www.nps.gov/articles/marsh-...m_medium=website&utm_campaign=experience_more
https://www.nps.gov/articles/homest...m_medium=website&utm_campaign=experience_more

 

[Mr. Salty]

Same issue in the US. We have millions of acres in NPs and we could use a specific area just for RC users. This is not been selfish, this is asking for common sense approach. I know that NP have sensitive areas where endangered species live.

Don't kid yourself. The people pushing so hard for drones to be allowed in national parks would never be happy with being restricted to some out-of-the-way desolate corner of a park where they won't bother anybody.

 

[Tinmania]

JUST ONE knucklehead is buzzing his drone around me while my family is trying to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the scene.

Presumably, if you have children they are well-behaved. But I have seen hundreds of kids in NPs who were not. Since they ruin the beauty and tranquility of the park for me, and I am sure others, I think it is well past the time children should be banned, outright, from NPs.

/s
Mike

 

[Mr. Salty]

Presumably, if you have children they are well-behaved. But I have seen hundreds of kids in NPs who were not. Since they ruin the beauty and tranquility of the park for me, and I am sure others, I think it is well past the time children should be banned, outright, from NPs.

/s
Mike

Equating other people's children with drones is the kind of thing that makes it so easy for organizations like the National Park Service to dismiss drone owners' concerns.

 

[Tinmania]

Equating other people's children with drones is the kind of thing that makes it so easy for organizations like the National Park Service to dismiss drone owners' concerns.

Whoooosh. What a surprise.



Mike

 

[Mr. Salty]

Whoooosh. What a surprise.

I know what /s is. It doesn’t make your post any better.

 

[Tinmania]

I know what /s is. It doesn’t make your post any better.

You have never been annoyed or distracted by a screaming or out of control kid in a national park? Maybe I’m just unlucky.



Mike

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Yet there seems to be evidence that drones are being used in parks without an act of Congress. In fact, the NPS has its own Unmanned Aircraft System Specialist:

National Park Service Hosts First Class of Aviators for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (U.S. National Park Service)
Unmanned Aircraft Assists with Aerial Photographs for Illustration Project (U.S. National Park Service)
Small Unmanned Aircraft Used for Prescribed Fire at Homestead National Monument of America (U.S. National Park Service)

I'm not talking about the small group who were lucky enough, or connected enough a couple of years ago to squeeze through the cracks. I am talking about the average certified commercial operator being able to perform an essential task on a regular basis, and what kind of hoops he would encounter.

But at any rate, you are kinda making my broader point here. If they are being used without causing all of the horrendous calamities, what is the problem with a reasonable, controlled permitting process, for the general public. If, indeed they are being used, without disturbing wildlife, animals, causing wildfires etc, it sorta shoots holes in all those who use these calamities as justification to continue the ban.

Or is it that you just want the government to reserve the right?

 

[Robert Mitchell]

Yes, when drones have a 100% ban. Allow drones in certain areas, certain times, etc. would simply open up the door for abuse. The current system is working.

Got news for you. All it has done is turn a lot of otherwise law abiding citizens into law breakers. If you don't believe me, go to Youtube.