NYC developers lobby to legalize drones

[Slim.slamma]

New York City Developers Lobby to Legalize Drones

Real-estate developers want New York City officials to amend a 1948 law that effectively prohibits drones from flying within city boundaries.

www.wsj.com

 

[dawgpilot]

I'm disappointed that the Feds haven't already told NYC that enforcing this provision against drones is in conflict with federal law. The idea that a locality can effectively ban drones citywide (outside of just restricting the launching from specific city property such as parks, etc.) is ridiculous. In fact, this old law is basically at complete opposition to the safe use of drones, since it seems to require that you take off and land at actual airports, which as everyone knows is not a safe or legal practice when it comes to UAS operations.

Also the people quoted in the article who predict chaos from legal drone flying in the city are being ridiculous, since there are plenty of other major urban locations around the US that don't restrict drones and the negative predictions haven't come true there.

 

[gnirtS]

I can see the merit in allowing commercially operated drones - ie those by a trained operator, with the correct insurance, with a properly safety assessed craft, risk management and co-ordination with authorities and ATC.
That would make survey work and so on substantially easier with minimal safety issues.

But no way in hell should they allow unqualified hobbyists with none of the above to operate in that area which is a crowded area, full of obstacles, people with incredibly congested low altitude airspace.

 

[dawgpilot]

But no way in hell should they allow unqualified hobbyists with none of the above to operate in that area which is a crowded area, full of obstacles, people with incredibly congested low altitude airspace.

Don't forget that parts of NYC are hardly crowded or full of obstacles. Maybe you are just thinking of downtown or midtown Manhattan, but there are plenty of less populated areas of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, etc where drones could be used safely.

 

[gnirtS]

Which is great unless the idiots launch in a safe or slightly safe area then fly outside that area or violate altitude. Its just too close to very congested areas to be safe.

The average hobbyist drone user seems to have zero awareness and/or zero will to respect the laws. This would allow them to be close enough to be dangerous.

Sadly the drone community isnt grown up to be allowed to operate safely next to, but not inside dangerous/congested/busy areas of airspace or otherwise.

Maybe once transponders, identification combined with registration are in to allow them to be picked up and caught immediately it'll be ok but currently nope - too risky.