Below is part of an email sent out to all homeowners at a community of nearly 2500 homes in AZ. The general manager sends these emails out weekly as a "This Week ..." update for all residents.
I have my part 107, but don't fly in my neighborhood. However, there are vast areas of open space (desert) very close (nearly adjacent) to my home where I fly sometimes. I mainly fly in remote locations that I travel and/or hike to, where it is legal to go and legal to fly. I don't have a problem educating people that are around where I'd like to fly, but I generally won't do it when there are many people, or people that look like they will pull out a gun. We do have open carry here in AZ.
I'd like to help educate the gm, the board, and the residents, however, I'm not a great communicator. I would likely end up putting a target on my own back. My current plan is to ignore everything they say, and simply avoid flying in my neighborhood. This gm is also currently planning the installation of new cameras around the community that include audio recording. He is disregarding the many residents that are against his plan by saying they won't listen to the audio unless necessary.
I'd like to hear other people's thoughts on this drone policy.
Oh, and if I could easily move out of this community, I would.
"Drones: It's been a while since the topic of drones has been discussed. Recently, however, a resident reached out to us asking about a drone that flew over their home one evening. Because of this, here's a review of the Association's guidelines for drones or small unmanned aircraft systems. For this purpose, the term “drone” is used to describe any unmanned device or toy, including remote-controlled or autonomous small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), kites, or vehicles, whether operated for recreation or commercial purposes. The intent of this rule is to ensure the safety, privacy, and enjoyment of members and their property. Within Residential Settings - The use of drones within a residential setting, especially those equipped with cameras or other sensors, has a high potential of creating noise nuisances, unwanted trespasses, and invasions of privacy. The use of any drone must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. A drone’s operator must maintain direct control of the device and assumes liability for any damage their drone causes. The use of drones within this tract shall be restricted to the owner’s property and shall not: create an unreasonable sound nuisance; be operated within 25 feet of a vehicle; be operated before sunrise or after sunset; enter or fly above the property of other residents without their expressed permission; be used to view or record other residents or their property; result in the collection of private data or images for publication or posting, without the permission of the people or property owners affected; be used on or above common spaces or easements; lose visual contact. The airspace above a private residence, and below altitudes governed by the Federal Aviation Administration or other governmental agencies, is considered the private property of that owner. Owners and occupants have a reasonable expectation of privacy which must not be violated. Persons under age 16 operating drones shall be actively supervised by parents or adult guardians during their use to ensure compliance with these rules and FAA requirements. The drone must be registered in the Administration office with a copy of the operator’s license and insurance on file.
Within Common Area Settings: The use of drones within a common area setting must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. The use must first be approved by the General Manager or Assistant General Manager. A drone’s operator must maintain direct control of the device and assumes liability for any damage their drone causes. The drone must be registered in the Administration office with a copy of the operator’s license and insurance on file."
I have my part 107, but don't fly in my neighborhood. However, there are vast areas of open space (desert) very close (nearly adjacent) to my home where I fly sometimes. I mainly fly in remote locations that I travel and/or hike to, where it is legal to go and legal to fly. I don't have a problem educating people that are around where I'd like to fly, but I generally won't do it when there are many people, or people that look like they will pull out a gun. We do have open carry here in AZ.
I'd like to help educate the gm, the board, and the residents, however, I'm not a great communicator. I would likely end up putting a target on my own back. My current plan is to ignore everything they say, and simply avoid flying in my neighborhood. This gm is also currently planning the installation of new cameras around the community that include audio recording. He is disregarding the many residents that are against his plan by saying they won't listen to the audio unless necessary.
I'd like to hear other people's thoughts on this drone policy.
Oh, and if I could easily move out of this community, I would.
"Drones: It's been a while since the topic of drones has been discussed. Recently, however, a resident reached out to us asking about a drone that flew over their home one evening. Because of this, here's a review of the Association's guidelines for drones or small unmanned aircraft systems. For this purpose, the term “drone” is used to describe any unmanned device or toy, including remote-controlled or autonomous small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), kites, or vehicles, whether operated for recreation or commercial purposes. The intent of this rule is to ensure the safety, privacy, and enjoyment of members and their property. Within Residential Settings - The use of drones within a residential setting, especially those equipped with cameras or other sensors, has a high potential of creating noise nuisances, unwanted trespasses, and invasions of privacy. The use of any drone must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. A drone’s operator must maintain direct control of the device and assumes liability for any damage their drone causes. The use of drones within this tract shall be restricted to the owner’s property and shall not: create an unreasonable sound nuisance; be operated within 25 feet of a vehicle; be operated before sunrise or after sunset; enter or fly above the property of other residents without their expressed permission; be used to view or record other residents or their property; result in the collection of private data or images for publication or posting, without the permission of the people or property owners affected; be used on or above common spaces or easements; lose visual contact. The airspace above a private residence, and below altitudes governed by the Federal Aviation Administration or other governmental agencies, is considered the private property of that owner. Owners and occupants have a reasonable expectation of privacy which must not be violated. Persons under age 16 operating drones shall be actively supervised by parents or adult guardians during their use to ensure compliance with these rules and FAA requirements. The drone must be registered in the Administration office with a copy of the operator’s license and insurance on file.
Within Common Area Settings: The use of drones within a common area setting must comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws. The use must first be approved by the General Manager or Assistant General Manager. A drone’s operator must maintain direct control of the device and assumes liability for any damage their drone causes. The drone must be registered in the Administration office with a copy of the operator’s license and insurance on file."
