Using a Drone to Spy on People!

[DroningOn]

If it's below the roofline of my dwelling, it's on my property which I own and control. If it's above the roofline, it's in the air space which I DON'T own and DON'T control. It's that simple guys, at least here in the US it is.

 

[m0j0]

If it's below the roofline of my dwelling, it's on my property which I own and control. If it's above the roofline, it's in the air space which I DON'T own and DON'T control. It's that simple guys, at least here in the US it is.

Eye level, unless you are Manute Bol, is well below your roofline.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[stratos]

isn't operating a drone after civil twilight illegal?

i also have a house on lake travis at waters edge up on a cliff about 150ft above the water.
we have had a couple of drone incidents where they come along the cliff and hover at eye level right in our backyard.
we also have tour helicopters make passes but they don't operate at night and don't sit there and hover in or over my backyard.
the helicopters can be annoying on weekends, the drones are invading my privacy when they sit and hover that close to my backyard.

That why I dont buy a mansion next to a Cliff. Tourists can get annoying.

 

[f3honda4me]

If it's below the roofline of my dwelling, it's on my property which I own and control. If it's above the roofline, it's in the air space which I DON'T own and DON'T control. It's that simple guys, at least here in the US it is.

I've never actually seen that mentioned as an official law or statute, do you have a link to that? Definitely interesting if that's true.

 

[Bivalve]

That why I dont buy a mansion next to a Cliff. Tourists can get annoying.

Yeah, all of my mansions are on flat land.

 

[IcySparks]

Well if you're looking for input, I think you should mind your own business. The story sounds like complete BS. Eye level my a$$! I'd be the one that was pissed if you came knocking at my door lecturing me.

This is really the exact opposite of how I would react. If someone came to me, in a calm non-threatening manner and said "Hey, I'm Frank, nice to meet you, hey... curious if you have a drone, or know anyone nearby who might... I'm asking because my neighbor was in his spa in his back yard and really cool one came down really low and, even though it is a huge invasion of privacy, wanted to say hello and request you be more considerate and not place your camera in a place that you could see more than Street View or Google maps. I'll be honest, the reason for my visit is dual purposed because I also have a drone (a Mavic Pro) and don't want you making others angry at us drone operators and where they are motivated to call the police, or doing something worse like shooting down our drones. That sound cool?"

 

[LakeTravis]

This is really the exact opposite of how I would react. If someone came to me, in a calm non-threatening manner and said "Hey, I'm Frank, nice to meet you, hey... curious if you have a drone, or know anyone nearby who might... I'm asking because my neighbor was in his spa in his back yard and really cool one came down really low and, even though it is a huge invasion of privacy, wanted to say hello and request you be more considerate and not place your camera in a place that you could see more than Street View or Google maps. I'll be honest, the reason for my visit is dual purposed because I also have a drone (a Mavic Pro) and don't want you making others angry at us drone operators and where they are motivated to call the police, or doing something worse like shooting down our drones. That sound cool?"

That's probably pretty close to what I'll do. And thanks for understanding my biggest concern, that being the other person spoiling things for others by giving us drone operators a bad name. One other factor I neglected to mention, almost the entirety of our community is within five miles of a small airport. I have a hangar there and fly in and out, and I've gotten a written letter from the airport manager giving me blanket permission to operate in the airspace as long as I comply with the obvious, keep it at or below 400' AGL and maintain line of sight. I'd be willing to bet the other person is not in compliance with that regulation--but, of course, I can't be certain.

 

[f3honda4me]

That's probably pretty close to what I'll do. And thanks for understanding my biggest concern, that being the other person spoiling things for others by giving us drone operators a bad name. One other factor I neglected to mention, almost the entirety of our community is within five miles of a small airport. I have a hangar there and fly in and out, and I've gotten a written letter from the airport manager giving me blanket permission to operate in the airspace as long as I comply with the obvious, keep it at or below 400' AGL and maintain line of sight. I'd be willing to bet the other person is not in compliance with that regulation--but, of course, I can't be certain.

No hobbyist needs that airport's permission to fly. Also there is no 400' regulation, nor is there even a line of sight regulation. (assuming the flight is as a hobbyist)

 

[LakeTravis]

No hobbyist needs that airport's permission to fly. Also there is no 400' regulation, nor is there even a line of sight regulation. (assuming the flight is as a hobbyist)

Assuming you're in the United States, you are incorrect and I don't know where the drone "hobbyists" get their info, but you are not exempt from FAA rules just because you're flying as a hobby. The following is directly from the FAA's Web site under Fly for Fun set up specifically for drones/UAVs, it says:

Fly for Fun

You don't need permission from the FAA to fly your UAS (aka drone) for fun or recreation, but you must always fly safely.

Before you fly outside you must:

• Register your UAS if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds
• Label your UAS with your registration number
• Read and understand all safety guidelines

You must be:

• 13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft)
• A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident*

* Visiting foreign nationals must register their UAS upon arrival in the United States (online registration serves as a certificate of ownership).

To register, you'll need:

• Email address
• Credit or Debit card
• Physical address and mailing address (if different from physical address)

Registration costs $5 and is valid for 3 years.

Register UAS that weigh less than 55 lbs. and more than 0.55 lbs. online

Register UAS that weigh more than 55 lbs. by paper

Label your UAS (PDF)

Safety Guidelines

• Fly at or below 400 feet
• Keep your UAS within sight
• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• Never fly over groups of people
• Never fly over stadiums or sports events
• Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
• Never fly under the influence
• Be aware of airspace requirements

 

[Bivalve]

Waitaminute. The 400' regulation is real. Hobbyist or no, we should register our drones with the FAA, and yes 400' above ground is the legal limit. This is set because general aviation is supposed to stay at 500' feet or higher in uncongested areas. Sorry, but that's how it is.

 

[LakeTravis]

Waitaminute. The 400' regulation is real. Hobbyist or no, we should register our drones with the FAA, and yes 400' above ground is the legal limit. This is set because general aviation is supposed to stay at 500' feet or higher in uncongested areas. Sorry, but that's how it is.

Exactly, see my previous post and thanks!!

 

[f3honda4me]

Safety Guidelines

• Fly at or below 400 feet
• Keep your UAS within sight
• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• Never fly over groups of people
• Never fly over stadiums or sports events
• Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
• Never fly under the influence
• Be aware of airspace requirements

Notice that word there: Guidelines?

That's because that's what they are. Guidelines. Not laws or regulations. If you can find me the regulation that says hobbyists must stay within site and stay below 400 feet, please link the statute or US code showing as such.

 

[f3honda4me]

Waitaminute. The 400' regulation is real. Hobbyist or no, we should register our drones with the FAA, and yes 400' above ground is the legal limit.

No, it's not. It's a common misconception.

 

[f3honda4me]

Here I'll save you the trouble. Here is the actual US code in regards to hobbyist flight. First we have the Small UAS Rule (Part 107), however part 107 doesn't apply to hobbyists. Part 107 does not apply to UAS flown strictly for fun (hobby or recreational purposes) as long as these unmanned aircraft are flown in accordance with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Section 336 of P.L. 112-95). So let's go to the special rule for model aircraft.

https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Sec_331_336_UAS.pdf

Section 336 states:

SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT. (a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if— (1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use; (2) the aircraft is operated in accordance with a communitybased set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization; (3) the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization; (4) the aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and (5) when flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation (model aircraft operators flying from a permanent location within 5 miles of an airport should establish a mutually-agreed upon operating procedure with the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport))


And that number 2 there is the gray area. The FAA does not define what a "nationwide community based organization" is. The AMA is an example of one, but it is not the only one. Since the FAA has no rule or definition of this, the term can be applied extremely broadly. One could join such an organization that does not require LOS. And in regards to the 400 feet AGL, even the AMA doesn't require that. Your questions answered-The 400 foot limit for model aircraft. | AMA Government Relations Blog
Academy of Model Aeronautics - FAA UAS Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Am I permitted to fly above 400 feet? What if I had to check a box saying otherwise on the federal registration website?
A: Yes. AMA members who abide by the AMA Safety Code, which permits flights above 400 feet under appropriate circumstances, and are protected by the Special Rule for Model Aircraft under the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act.


At the end of the day, the wording on the FAA website has done a great job convincing people that these are laws, when they are not.

 

[Bivalve]

I never said 'law.' I said regulation. Trust me, the FAA knows the difference. They don't bother with the courts. Just ask a pilot. And while we're at it, why would you want to risk the lives of people flying full sized aircraft, anyway? Keep it under 400 feet, please.

 

[f3honda4me]

I never said 'law.' I said regulation. Trust me, the FAA knows the difference. They don't bother with the courts. Just ask a pilot. And while we're at it, why would you want to risk the lives of people flying full sized aircraft, anyway? Keep it under 400 feet, please.

I know the difference too. I just linked you the regulations. It's not a regulation either. And I didn't say go crazy and fly 1000 feet. I'm merely clearing up the common misconception that 400 feet is a regulation limit.

 

[lotek]

This is really the exact opposite of how I would react. If someone came to me, in a calm non-threatening manner and said "Hey, I'm Frank, nice to meet you, hey... curious if you have a drone, or know anyone nearby who might... I'm asking because my neighbor was in his spa in his back yard and really cool one came down really low and, even though it is a huge invasion of privacy, wanted to say hello and request you be more considerate and not place your camera in a place that you could see more than Street View or Google maps. I'll be honest, the reason for my visit is dual purposed because I also have a drone (a Mavic Pro) and don't want you making others angry at us drone operators and where they are motivated to call the police, or doing something worse like shooting down our drones. That sound cool?"

Yeah bro. Cool. Smoke?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-T817A using MavicPilots mobile app

 

[Bivalve]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. (sigh)

 

[IcySparks]

I didn't realize that this would be somewhat of a polarizing issue. You'd think we were discussing left wing versus right wing politics. There is not a doubt in my mind that my friend's information is reliable. The fact that my post even brings comments about the wife's hotness or comparisons of Internet porn and the relative value of drone footage as "stroke material" (hope that's not too graphic a description for on here), in my mind, that says a lot--make of that what you will... I mean GEEZ. I was just pointing out that I'm sure there are lots of people who don't know the first thing, nor do they care, about the rules of UAV flight and that there ARE issues of inherent privacy. I did not want to, or intend, to drag things down into the gutter. I think this is an important issue... obviously, others don't.

I think invasion of privacy is intolerable, inexcusable, and disrespectful. I also think road and drone rage is too. In your scenario, effectively there is a peeping Tom who is using a tool, no different than a telescope, to invade someone's private place.

I don't want people making it difficult for me to buy and use a telescope or a drone. I would like to tell Tom is behavior is not going to be tolerated and he will have enemies on multiple fronts if he continues on this behavior.

 

[zaffar68]

Shoot it with an air gun...
Problem settle....
Its quite cheap in your country, plus it dont violate any rules...
Like this one here...
Gamo Swarm Maxxim Multi-shot Air Rifle. Air rifles | Pyramyd Air