Kind of shocked

[Classic flyer]

National Parks have some of the most interesting natural structures and they are beautiful in their own right, done footage shared is a unique perspective of these treasures. Sharing them on YouTube ands other venues gives everyday world citizens a chance to experience places and sights they may never see.

Plus... why would I want to go to... say, the Grand Canyon and pay some Yahoo to fly me around in their helicopter for $100s of dollars, when I can fly my own and get better views.

Mainly because the helicopter is legal and drones aren't...$100 ride or $500 fine which is the best choice?

 

[Classic flyer]

Me thinks you nailed it...however the rules are what they are...maybe some lobbying from the drone community would get things moving to ease up the NP restrictions..just a thought

 

[kolect]

If I see a drone flying in a National Park, I'll do what I can to help the Park Service bring charges. We can help them prosecute with cell phone videos, noting vehicle descriptions and license plates and descriptions of the "pilot" if observed.

Going out of your way to get people in trouble for a breaking such a ridiculous law is detrimental to the community IMO. Why don't you go snap some photos of the teenagers in the park smoking pot and send that to the police too?

By all means, report people who are endangering others, but to report anyone you see purely on the premise of flying in a national park is pretty low. I am not in favor of this behavior at all.

 

[DroningOn]

If I see a drone flying in a National Park, I'll do what I can to help the Park Service bring charges. We can help them prosecute with cell phone videos, noting vehicle descriptions and license plates and descriptions of the "pilot" if observed.

If some sanctimonious chest thumping bafoon ever did this to me, they would be seeing me in their rear view mirror with my dash cam recording them collecting “evidence”. Evidence of every mph over the speed limit, every time they crossed over the yellow line, every time they failed to come to a complete stop. And you better believe I would be knocking on every relevant police department door demanding prosecution!!
After all, it’s my duty if I see something, to say something

 

[FlyGuy8675309]

The National Park Service is the only government agency other than the FAA that can confiscate and prosecute someone for flying illegaly. For me that's not a risk I want to take.

This is not accurate. Local police can, have, and will arrest you, confiscate your drone and prosecute you if your flying violates local laws. Usually the charge is "reckless endangerment".
They will then work with the FAA to tack on federal charges.

Flying over stadium arrest:
Drone pilot arrested after multiple NFL stadium incidents
(Note that he was arrested and prosecuted by local PD, but the FAA is doing their own investigation as well)

Flying over wildfire arrest:
"The sheriff’s office said based on witness information, drone descriptions and photos from Carpenter’s website showing drone views of the Goodwin Fire, deputies began searching for him.

Carpenter was arrested Friday afternoon after an off-duty deputy spotted his van on Willow Creek Road in Prescott. The drone was found in the van and seized.

Detectives are meeting with federal officials Monday to discuss additional charges based on the federal statutes regarding temporary flight restrictions."
Drone operator arrested for interfering with firefighting aircraft - Wildfire Today

 

[dirkclod]

Tthink you guys are way off base here... might want to clean it up before the moderator pulls it...just saying

Just did

 

[LuvMyTJ]

This thread has been closed (and for good reason). The discussion was doing fine until it went off topic. Things like talking about race in a negative way are not tolerated on the forum as per the rules. I suggest a few of you re-read them.

As far as the topic at hand, @Flymortalkless made a post with the correct information.

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