Railroads and drones....is it okay ?

[Vic Moss]

All of that notwithstanding. The skill was beyond impressive to me. How many could have done it? Maybe everyone but me lol

Hi skillset is phenomenal!

 

[MS Coast]

If whomever orchestrated these events get their way, the drone rules will be rewritten making it nearly impossible for the hobby drone to fly anywhere except for FRIA and an empty field in the local city park. Everywhere will be marked critical infrastructure, everyone will be allowed to raise restrictions, and the enforcement will be commenced by anyone with a badge. By the time they get done, flying a drone will be a crime.

Woe is us. They sky is falling. We're doomed. That's a wolf at the door, not the Amazon delivery person. The universe pushed the flush lever and we're all caught in the whirlpool.

Since you won't be able to use your drones soon, I'll offer you 20 cents on the dollar for your entire drone inventory. And I'll pick up the shipping.

 

[Donald Hill]

Good morning all...we have the holiday train coming through our little town and I'd love capturing it with the Mavic...is it okay to do though ?

That depends:
Who owns the train?
Who owns the track?
What is the definition of "critical influence " or "critical facility" in your state?
See this for Union Pacific:

Taking Pictures/Videos of Union Pacific Trains or Structures

Safety is of paramount importance to Union Pacific Railroad. Taking pictures or video while on Union Pacific property is dangerous, so when taking pictures or video of Union Pacific Railroad trains or structures:

www.up.com

See this for Nevada:

NRS: CHAPTER 493 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Your state laws and railroad laws may (probably will) vary.

 

[Tman1265]

Most trains,ships,airports, docks fir ships, loading unloading zones have strick rules and you will need their permission to fly near or around the facilities. I'd check with the train company and get written permission to prevent any undo expenses or fines.

I have never and neither have any of my hundreds of railfan friends with drones ever asked permission. We just stay off of private property and be smart about it.

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[Polkaking]

In Florida they really evolved critical infrastructure over the years. Number 12 below might include railways in some sections of the track and, in stretching the definition a bit, an Amazon warehouse:

(a) “Critical infrastructure facility” means any of the following, if completely enclosed by a fence or other physical barrier that is obviously designed to exclude intruders, or if clearly marked with a sign or signs which indicate that entry is forbidden and which are posted on the property in a manner reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders:
1. A power generation or transmission facility, substation, switching station, or electrical control center.
2. A chemical or rubber manufacturing or storage facility.
3. A water intake structure, water treatment facility, wastewater treatment plant, or pump station.
4. A mining facility.
5. A natural gas or compressed gas compressor station, storage facility, or natural gas or compressed gas pipeline.
6. A liquid natural gas or propane gas terminal or storage facility.
7. Any portion of an aboveground oil or gas pipeline.
8. A refinery.
9. A gas processing plant, including a plant used in the processing, treatment, or fractionation of natural gas.
10. A wireless communications facility, including the tower, antennae, support structures, and all associated ground-based equipment.
11. A seaport as listed in s. 311.09(1), which need not be completely enclosed by a fence or other physical barrier and need not be marked with a sign or signs indicating that entry is forbidden.
12. An inland port or other facility or group of facilities serving as a point of intermodal transfer of freight in a specific area physically separated from a seaport.
13. An airport as defined in s. 330.27.
14. A spaceport territory as defined in s. 331.303(19).
15. A military installation as defined in 10 U.S.C. s. 2801(c)(4) and an armory as defined in s. 250.01.
16. A dam as defined in s. 373.403(1) or other structures, such as locks, floodgates, or dikes, which are designed to maintain or control the level of navigable waterways.
17. A state correctional institution as defined in s. 944.02 or a contractor-operated correctional facility authorized under chapter 957.
18. A secure detention center or facility as defined in s. 985.03, or a moderate-risk residential facility, a high-risk residential facility, or a maximum-risk residential facility as those terms are described in s. 985.03(44).
19. A county detention facility as defined in s. 951.23.
20. A critical infrastructure facility as defined in s. 692.

I'm wondering if it is illegal to fly over or near a decommissioned power plant like the one in Morro Bay Ca.

 

[Vic Moss]

That depends:
Who owns the train?
Who owns the track?
What is the definition of "critical influence " or "critical facility" in your state?
See this for Union Pacific:

Taking Pictures/Videos of Union Pacific Trains or Structures

Safety is of paramount importance to Union Pacific Railroad. Taking pictures or video while on Union Pacific property is dangerous, so when taking pictures or video of Union Pacific Railroad trains or structures:

www.up.com

Nice try Union Pacific: "Union Pacific will seek removal from publication any photograph or video that violates this policy." There's this little thing called The First Amendment that will prevent you from doing that.

See this for Nevada:

NRS: CHAPTER 493 - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Your state laws and railroad laws may (probably will) vary.

Also federally preempted. No political subdivision may create laws that conflict with FAA authority when it comes to the NAS.

 

[Vic Moss]

I'm wondering if it is illegal to fly over or near a decommissioned power plant like the one in Morro Bay Ca.

Unless is shows up as restricted airspace here, it's legal: ArcGIS Web Application

Also check TFR.FAA.Gov in case they have a TFR if work is going on.

 

[MavicFlyer2]

Post some pics or Video!

Last night the weather didn't cooperate well and we had freezing drizzle and sleet around so the drone stayed on the ground...I did have the ground camera running so I'll add the train to the Christmas light display with the Mavic before Christmas !
Thank you for all the advice and such with the thread !

 

[Droning on and on...]

I talked with Nurk about this after it happened. The FAA was not pleased. Never found out for sure if he was fined or not, but he definitely won't be doing something like that again.

And since nothing adverse occurred, we can safely say it is among the baddest a** flights ever made!!!!!! That's my go-to video when people ask me about FPV...

I'm pretty sure landing on the train wasn't fully compliant with the regs, among other things.

As an FPV flyer though, there are so many amazing moves I'll never have the skills to get near. Scooting between cars over the coupler just blew my mind...

 

[Droning on and on...]

I have never and neither have any of my hundreds of railfan friends with drones ever asked permission. We just stay off of private property and be smart about it.

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That's cool!

Does it run somewhere ar dusk? With those light arrays on the sides, a bit more darkness would really bring that out.

 

[Cafguy]

And since nothing adverse occurred, we can safely say it is among the baddest a** flights ever made!!!!!! That's my go-to video when people ask me about FPV...

I'm pretty sure landing on the train wasn't fully compliant with the regs, among other things.

As an FPV flyer though, there are so many amazing moves I'll never have the skills to get near. Scooting between cars over the coupler just blew my mind...

I always wanted to FPV a Train but I think honestly its WAY to dangerous for the train (and the drone). I owned an electric railroad as a kid and that's the extent of my railroad knowledge, besides the fact of knowing that some of those cars have some pretty hazardous stuff in them and with my luck when I flew under the train I would probably hit the "johnson rod" or the "clark wire" or whatever they call em, and cause the train to derail or set off some kind of Tamper alarm and in turn- create a newsworthy event.
Would be a blast to do it tho thats for sure!!

 

[Droning on and on...]

Hey Canucks, check it out, maybe one of our brethren here can get some drone footage, and maybe go support this charitable effort

Celebrate the season with the CPKC Holiday Trains

The CPKC Holiday Train tours North America spreading cheer, raising money, food and awareness for community food banks.

www.cpkcr.com

 

[Vic Moss]

And since nothing adverse occurred, we can safely say it is among the baddest a** flights ever made!!!!!! That's my go-to video when people ask me about FPV...

I'm pretty sure landing on the train wasn't fully compliant with the regs, among other things.

As an FPV flyer though, there are so many amazing moves I'll never have the skills to get near. Scooting between cars over the coupler just blew my mind...

I've used it at FAA tables at conferences and such as well. I'll play it on my TV and it really brings people to the table and gives us a chance to talk about safety and such. It's an awesome flight, and actually a good case for learning FPV (safely ).

 

[Cafguy]

I am on the side of allowing BLOS for Mini whoops myself. Let me FPV alone! (legally)

 

[Vic Moss]

I am on the side of allowing BLOS for Mini whoops myself. Let me FPV alone! (legally)

There is the letter of the law, and the spirit of the law. Someone flying a tiny whoop FPV around w/o a VO is very unlikely to get in trouble. The FAA really doesn't care about something like that unless you're doing something reckless or stupid.

*not legal advice.

 

[Droning on and on...]

What Vic said.

It's why we have judges, and discretion on the part of LEOs and DAs.

No law can be crafted to cover every possible scenario. I'm pretty confident the VO rule for FPV did not contemplate a Neo buzzing around the field and trees below 50', speeding 10ft overcthe tops of cornstalks.

Any charge violating this rule would be laughed out of the courtroom by the judge, and thevDA sanctioned for wasting the court's time. Probably.

 

[Moozer]

Hi skillset is phenomenal!

But his judgement is questionable!

 

[Vic Moss]

But his judgement is questionable!

It certainly was at the time. But it was a learning opportunity of him as well.

 

[Droning on and on...]

But his judgement is questionable!

Just give it a rest and enjoy the amazing flight.