Ran into my first ***hole today

[Thealien]

There is a large fairground in my city that they keep the gates open for people to walk, bike, walk their dogs etc when the city fair or any other event is not happening. It is not within controlled airspace, there is not any no trespassing signs and every other time I ask any people or workers that might happen to be there if they had a problem with me flying my drone, nobody has had a problem until today. I arrived and saw 2 workers picking up trash and asked them and as usual they said they didn't have a problem. As I was setting up another worker arrives in a truck and asks what I am doing and I explain. He says NO Drones there is a sign on the way in ((there isn't I checked,) even if there was I could launch from property next store and as long as I am following the rules there is nothing he can do?). I told him no problem and politely asked him why and he starts yelling for me to get **** out, which I complied! I was tempted to fly from outside but I didn't want the attention so I just left. I am starting to regret getting into this hobby, with the new rules being passed and people that don't know the rules (and some owners that ruin it for everyone), there just isn't many to fly around here!

Just needed to vent so I wouldn't do anything I might regret!

 

[neggy]

Now you call the department he works for, get an appointment with the head person, ask them if this is the way they allow their employees to act when dealing with the public.

Since their employee is their agent, and they are depriving you of your legal rights to operate in the National Air Space, something only the FAA can regulate, where would they like the notice of a lawsuit to be served.

If that department is controlled by an elected board, start showing up at their meetings, then run for office making you the employees Supervisor of sorts

Also file a F.O.I.A. request for all rules and regulations for use of the facility in PDF form.

My motto is "don't try to out ahole me, I am much better at it than you are"

 

[Thealien]

Now you call the department he works for, get an appointment with the head person, ask them if this is the way they allow their employees to act when dealing with the public.

Since their employee is their agent, and they are depriving you of your legal rights to operate in the National Air Space, something only the FAA can regulate, where would they like the notice of a lawsuit to be served.

He stated it was the "fire" department who banned them. I asked if they meant during an event and that's when he really started getting angry and belligerent. I am looking into asking someone I know in the fire department before I do anything else. But even they don't control the airspace!

If that department is controlled by an elected board, start showing up at their meetings, then run for office making you the employees Supervisor of sorts

Also file a F.O.I.A. request for all rules and regulations for use of the facility in PDF form.

My motto is "don't try to out ahole me, I am much better at it than you are"

If you knew me I generally agree 100% and used to fight the good fight. I am not sure even if I am legal I could win in the "public eye" as he does a lot for the city. I am also a 57 year old man who has been a licensed electrician for 37 of those years. I serve on the cities Conservation committee. I am also a licensed for concealed carry in MASS at the discretion of the chief of police. Sad to say step on the wrong toes and it "could" become an issue. So I must choose my battles.

I destroyed both of my shoulders in an industrial accident over 18 months ago. My hobby and passion was riding motorcycles (37 states and over 100,000 miles in the previous 10-15 years. I can no longer ride a motorcycle due to shoulder pain and strength. I took up flying to occupy some of my time, see things I normally wouldn't see or might not be able to get to? I am finding it hard to find places to legally fly without "bothering" someone. Just venting!

 

[Moscoso]

There is a large fairground in my city that they keep the gates open for people to walk, bike, walk their dogs etc when the city fair or any other event is not happening. It is not within controlled airspace, there is not any no trespassing signs and every other time I ask any people or workers that might happen to be there if they had a problem with me flying my drone, nobody has had a problem until today. I arrived and saw 2 workers picking up trash and asked them and as usual they said they didn't have a problem. As I was setting a up another worker arrives in a truck and asks what I am doing and I explain. He says NO Drones there is a sign on the way in ((there isn't I checked,) even if there was I could launch from property next store and as long as I am following the rules there is nothing he can do?). I told him no problem and politely asked him why and he starts yelling for me to get **** out, which I complied! I was tempted to fly from outside but I didn't want the attention so I just left. I am starting to regret getting into this hobby, with the new rules being passed and people that don't know the rules (and some owners that ruin it for everyone), there just isn't many to fly around here!

Just needed to vent so I wouldn't do anything I might regret!

Same thing happened to me. Though I live in Thailand, was flying at the beach, away from everyone and have my drone registered per local regulation.

I was just flying over the deserted end of the beach, just getting scenery shots and some Russian tourist came storming up the beach yelling & cursing(i think) in Russian saying drone flying is forbidden. I replied he was incorrect because as long as it’s not restricted airspace, you are below the regulation flight altitude, your drone is registered and you are not over people, you can fly anywhere.

I had enough of him and was seriously gonna put him out of his misery, but decided to just de-escalate as no good can come to me as a foreigner(American) beating up a loudmouth Russian prick. I should’ve smashed him and hid him in the bushes. Unfortunately, Haters(even internationally) just come with the territory. Actually it’s jst jealousy that they don’t have one

 

[JMF]

Simple, report this idiot before he does it to someone else.

 

[Thealien]

Simple, report this idiot before he does it to someone else.

To whom? I doubt they would care. Even though it is a fairground it is private property. All he has to do is call the cops and say he doesn't want you there and tresspass you? He can't keep anyone from flying over the property (legally) but I would need a good place to launch.

What pissed me off is it was the best local place to fly and practice, lots of room, line of sight for almost all the grounds, few people and buildings?

 

[tcope]

Since their employee is their agent, and they are depriving you of your legal rights to operate in the National Air Space, something only the FAA can regulate, where would they like the notice of a lawsuit to be served.

No... and no.

I can tell someone _anything_ I want. I can tell you that you cannot ever leave your house. I'm not violating any law. It is called freedom of speech and protected under the US Constitution. So the worker had every right to express his opinion.

On top of that, the worker was telling the OP that he could not fly a drone while on that property. If he was an agent (as you mentioned) of the property owner, he'd every right to control that property. It has nothing to do with airspace. The OP is more correct in stating that he could have left that property and flown over the fair grounds.

 

[tcope]

If you really want to fly there you may want to contact someone higher up and discuss flying directly with that person.

The rules are not really getting more restrictive. People are getting more hyper-sensitive though.

 

[DanMan32]

Also the guy's attitude was all wrong, especially as a government agent.
I was flying in a park and was soon told I could not fly in Tampa city parks. Was she correct? I don't know, could possibly be. But she was polite and I had just landed. I think she even waited for me to land before giving me the bad news. So I packed up and left.

 

[Thealien]

Also the guy's attitude was all wrong, I couldn't agree more! I think that is what pissed me off the most. I don't respond well usually when I am being yelled at with profanity for asking a question after I said no problem, I'm leaving! especially as a government agent.

It is a fairground within the city, privately owned so no Government agent.

I was flying in a park and was soon told I could not fly in Tampa city parks. Was she correct? I don't know, could possibly be. But she was polite and I had just landed. I think she even waited for me to land before giving me the bad news. So I packed up and left.

I do believe city parks are a NFZ. I believe I read that on the FAA website but I could be wrong!

 

[Thealien]

If you really want to fly there you may want to contact someone higher up and discuss flying directly with that person.

The rules are not really getting more restrictive. People are getting more hyper-sensitive though.

The owner is about 85 years old or so. I am not sure who runs it now but I am trying to find out. I know a few people within the city I am going to talk to including the fire department (he said the fire department said NO DRONES!) I don't believe him but I didn't say anything, yet.

 

[DanMan32]

I thought the city, county or state owned the fairgrounds. That's usually how it works

 

[DanMan32]

I do believe city parks are a NFZ. I believe I read that on the FAA website but I could be wrong!

That's for national parks.

 

[neggy]

No... and no.

I can tell someone _anything_ I want. I can tell you that you cannot ever leave your house. I'm not violating any law. It is called freedom of speech and protected under the US Constitution. So the worker had every right to express his opinion.

Ok as a 23 year former government employee, and as someone who spent 20+ years in elected and appointed positions in MA, If someone who worked for my department pulled that BS to a taxpayer, they would be sitting home for 3 days without pay.

You may want to read up on the constitutional meaning of "free speech", you have it only between the Gov and you. As a GOV employee, you do not have it, and my agency suspended police officers and civilian employees for posts they made on social media that reflected poorly on the agency. Ask your employer of they have a Social Media policy.

If you violated rule 4, "Courtesy" that stated you would be polite and helpful no matter what the situation or provocation, you got progressive discipline starting with a written warning, 3 violations and you were discharged with loss of pension

Your employer has the absolute right to determine a code of conduct when you are on their time and representing them, and that applies to GOV employees on the clock.

 

[Thealien]

That's for national parks.

I knew that but I could swear I read city and state parks also but I can't find it now?

 

[Thealien]

I thought the city, county or state owned the fairgrounds. That's usually how it works

Not here where I live. The owner tried to get horse racing, it failed. He has been trying to get a Casino but has failed. I plan on helping keep it that way, now.

 

[tcope]

Ok as a 23 year former government employee, and as someone who spent 20+ years in elected and appointed positions in MA, If someone who worked for my department pulled that BS to a taxpayer, they would be sitting home for 3 days without pay.

You may want to read up on the constitutional meaning of "free speech", you have it only between the Gov and you. As a GOV employee, you do not have it, and my agency suspended police officers and civilian employees for posts they made on social media that reflected poorly on the agency. Ask your employer of they have a Social Media policy.

If you violated rule 4, "Courtesy" that stated you would be polite and helpful no matter what the situation or provocation, you got progressive discipline starting with a written warning, 3 violations and you were discharged with loss of pension

Your employer has the absolute right to determine a code of conduct when you are on their time and representing them, and that applies to GOV employees on the clock.

Actually, you have every right guaranteed under the Constitution regardless of who you are or what you do. The US Constitution has a way of trumping everything else.

As far as the employees conduct... I never commented on that. All of this is really beside the point. The person had the right to ask the OP to stop flying.

 

[tcope]

That's for national parks.

National Parks are not NFZ. The NPS states people on the property they managed cannot operate drones.

 

[DanMan32]

Check again on FAA site. THATs where the NFZ is stated. Airmap and B4UFly will tell you that too.
Also flying near NFL (and other) stadiums during and 1 hour before/after games.

That was before the new law though.

 

[Mr. Salty]

I do believe city parks are a NFZ. I believe I read that on the FAA website but I could be wrong!

As a federal agency the FAA has nothing to say about state and city parks.