It happened to me ....and I didn't like it

hank970 · Nov 14, 2024

I wouldn't think of intruding on another individual's space without prior consent, and I'd expect the same as regards my privacy. On the other hand, I can't think of any reason I should be concerned if someone hovers a drone near me and frames a shot. What's the harm? It might just be a youngster with a new toy. Beyond that, I wouldn't be a very interesting subject, and I have nothing to hide. I might even smile and wave.

If such activity were recurring, then I might feel differently.

MARK (LI) · Nov 14, 2024

In a public place I would probably take it in stride...and as you mentioned, I would probably smile and wave....but in my own backyard there is a certain expectation of some privacy....if it were up at 45 or 50 feet it might not have seemed so intrusive, but at such a low altitude, aimed at me and hovering....I did wonder why someone was so interested in me

I fly over peoples yards, but I keep moving and I usually maintain over 125 feet in altitude

Jim622 · Nov 15, 2024

Just what are you guys doing in your backyard that you're afraid of someone seeing?
I couldn't care less if someone flew over my backyard. They will get bored fast and move on.

MARK (LI) · Nov 15, 2024

At that moment I was just doing yard work...other times I could have been cooking, eating, working on some yard equipment.....you fly over at a non intrusive altitude and keep going...who cares...when you are only about 10 feet high (barely made it over the bushes that are about 8 feet high and delineate that side of my property) and hover....I do wonder what it is about.

mavic3usa · Nov 15, 2024

For sure you don't fly super low over someone's property even if you are still in the airspace....unless it's FPV and you are moving pretty quickly and where it's common to be a foot off the ground. With a regular drone, you don't want to hover that low, it might be illegal to shoot down a drone but the majority of people would likely knock your drone down with a broom and not get in trouble; they'll simply claim the drone was flying in a threatening manner and someone could get hurt. You'll lose your drone. Those are my thoughts.

tstr14 · Nov 15, 2024

Jim622 said:
Just what are you guys doing in your backyard that you're afraid of someone seeing?
I couldn't care less if someone flew over my backyard. They will get bored fast and move on.

The naked ladies running around in my backyard don't like people spying on them.

Including me.

Chip · Nov 15, 2024

MARK (LI) said:
At that moment I was just doing yard work...other times I could have been cooking, eating, working on some yard equipment.....you fly over at a non intrusive altitude and keep going...who cares...when you are only about 10 feet high (barely made it over the bushes that are about 8 feet high and delineate that side of my property) and hover....I do wonder what it is about.
View attachment 179109

Now that is an impressive hedgerow indicating a reasonable expectation of privacy in your yard. Flying a drone to peer over the hedge, hover and capture images could be problematic for law enforcement or for a private party depending on their state law. I agree that a reasonable person might object to it depending on specific circumstances.

Jim622 · Nov 15, 2024

tstr14 said:
The naked ladies running around in my backyard don't like people spying on them.

Including me.

It's a little cold for that right now.

MAVE (Little bird) · Nov 16, 2024

MARK (LI) said:
I live on a corner and was working in my backyard yesterday when I heard the unmistakable sound of a drone right above me...I looked up to see a drone aimed at me, no higher than about 10 feet in altitude....so I waved and it took off across my yard and across the street to the side of my house and up and over the houses across that side street.....I thought it might be the guy who lives across the street that runs in front of my house, although he has a Mini 3 and the one in my yard was bigger...so I went to see, and he was not around.....as I came back around back I heard it again and saw it flying over the middle of that side street again at a low altitude .....it turned towards me and took off again...no operator in sight...a few seconds later the guy who lives in the house across the street on the side of my house came out...turns out he is putting his house up for sale and had someone doing some aerial shots for his listing.....The point is...I can understand why others do not want drones flying over their property, despite the fact that it is perfectly legal...it does feel like an invasion of privacy.

Just wondering why 10 feet above you, if I read correctly.