What are some of the most ludicrous things you've heard pertaining to this hobby?

[glocke12]

I've only been at this since May, starting with some super cheap amazon drones that lasted a few flights and than failed through no fault of my own, than moving onto Potensic Atom drones which aren't half bad and finally to an Air 3S and M4P. The Air 3S sealed the deal for me on this being a great hobby, great way to view the world around me, and a great way to capture pretty cool images.

That said, it's been fraught with challenges from others trying to rain on my parade and make me feel bad. From neighbors freaking out and calling it invasive ( it is not a densely populated area and every home around here is on a minimum of 2.5 acres, with 3-5 acres being the average ) despite me typically keeping it between 200 and 400 feet, and not hovering or flying directly over their property.



The last is particularly disappointing as I am in the process of visiting a family member out west, and than spend some time driving around on my own just exploring and doing some photography/flying. This particular relative seems to have an issue with drones in general and basically just started making things up with regards to their use where he is, all of which was pure B.S. and I was able to prove that, but his overall feeling is that people should not be flying these unless they have taken the private pilots exam and have become rated for instrument flying...

It was actually disappointing to learn this person felt that way as I wasn't expecting. He is a technical oriented person, heavily into HAM radio, astronomy, etc. so I was surprised to find out he felt this way.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Your family member is not alone in feeling this way. If you ask around, and tell others of your drone flying, you'll find similar reactions. it isn't about legality. It is about their perception, and no amount of logic or reasoning will dissuade them from such beliefs. It has gotten progressively worse over the last 10 years. The well publicized use of Mavic 3 drones by Ukraine for waging war through both surveillance using the 7x telephoto camera, and dropping bombs hasn't helped. Even Trump's attempted assassin used a DJI drone to surveil the scene of the rally twice in the 24 hours before shooting. The same drone you use for fun is also being used for war and assassinations, which is well covered by the media.

You should expect a similar response from anyone aware of your drone flying, whether a stranger, a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. Some may even be armed and threaten to shoot down your drone. RID now transmits your exact location throughout your 30+ minute drone flights to anyone with an app and an RID receiver. Choose your flights carefully. Some have even resorted to obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit for self defense.

 

[glocke12]

Your family member is not alone in feeling this way. If you ask around, and tell others of your drone flying, you'll find similar reactions. it isn't about legality. It is about their perception, and no amount of logic or reasoning will dissuade them from such beliefs. It has gotten progressively worse over the last 10 years. The well publicized use of Mavic 3 drones by Ukraine for waging war through both surveillance using the 7x telephoto camera, and dropping bombs hasn't helped. Even Trump's attempted assassin used a DJI drone to surveil the scene of the rally twice in the 24 hours before shooting. The same drone you use for fun is also being used for war and assassinations, which is well covered by the media.

You should expect a similar response from anyone aware of your drone flying, whether a stranger, a neighbor, a friend, or a family member. Some may even be armed and threaten to shoot down your drone. RID now transmits your exact location throughout your 30+ minute drone flights to anyone with an app and an RID receiver. Choose your flights carefully. Some have even resorted to obtaining a Concealed Carry Permit for self defense.

Yeah, I know a local flyer who carries and he's been confronted by someone recently.

I've actually let my PA LTCF lapse because frankly I just never leave the house except for work and since my job is in NJ, I can't carry there but I am probably going to renew it before years end and than get some more range time in.

As far the RID transmission goes, I've downloaded the drone scanner app, fired up my Air 3S and the app did not detect anything.

All in all it's really dismaying. I follow all the rules but the attitudes of the people I mentioned in my OP frankly leave me feeling like I am in the wrong even though I know I am not..

 

[GadgetGuy]

Yeah, I know a local flyer who carries and he's been confronted by someone recently.

I've actually let my PA LTCF lapse because frankly I just never leave the house except for work and since my job is in NJ, I can't carry there but I am probably going to renew it before years end and than get some more range time in.

As far the RID transmission goes, I've downloaded the drone scanner app, fired up my Air 3S and the app did not detect anything.

All in all it's really dismaying. I follow all the rules but the attitudes of the people I mentioned in my OP frankly leave me feeling like I am in the wrong even though I know I am not..

RID is actually putting a target on the back of every drone flyer, for anyone wanting to locate you. They could just be wanting to verbally confront you, but they may also be armed, and they may also be looking to rob you of your expensive drone equipment. Some of the RID receivers available for $1000 actually list the model of the drone you are flying, so they can even specifically target all Mavic 4 Pro pilots within a 5 mile radius!

Your Air 3S is undoubtedly transmitting RID, whether your app can detect it or not. You have to do more than just turn the drone on. You also have to arm the motors. That initiates the RID transmission. The Drone Scanner app depends upon the phone itself being able to detect RID. Android phones are better than iPhones for RID detection. Smartphones are much more limited in range in detecting RID than the readily available RID receivers with external antennas, which are much more sophisticated, and a bit pricey, but certainly justifiable for anyone with nefarious purposes.

Perhaps now you can understand why many long time drone flyers have downgraded their expensive RID broadcasting drones to a Mini 4 Pro with regular batteries. It is currently the most sophisticated DJI drone that legally requires no FAA registration, and also does not transmit RID, keeping your location private, except for anyone physically aware of your takeoff and landing, which can be done discreetly, when no one is around. Plus, it looks like a toy, so no one feels threatened by it, but it still has 4K video and a 12MP camera with live digital zoom and a 5 mile range, and can be concealed in a pocket! Most importantly, it is fully compatible with the newest and best DJI transmitter, the RC Pro 2, made for the venerable Mavic 4 Pro.

Stay safe!

 

[Felix le Chat]

I've only been at this since May, starting with some super cheap amazon drones that lasted a few flights and than failed through no fault of my own, than moving onto Potensic Atom drones which aren't half bad and finally to an Air 3S and M4P. The Air 3S sealed the deal for me on this being a great hobby, great way to view the world around me, and a great way to capture pretty cool images.

That said, it's been fraught with challenges from others trying to rain on my parade and make me feel bad. From neighbors freaking out and calling it invasive ( it is not a densely populated area and every home around here is on a minimum of 2.5 acres, with 3-5 acres being the average ) despite me typically keeping it between 200 and 400 feet, and not hovering or flying directly over their property.



The last is particularly disappointing as I am in the process of visiting a family member out west, and than spend some time driving around on my own just exploring and doing some photography/flying. This particular relative seems to have an issue with drones in general and basically just started making things up with regards to their use where he is, all of which was pure B.S. and I was able to prove that, but his overall feeling is that people should not be flying these unless they have taken the private pilots exam and have become rated for instrument flying...

It was actually disappointing to learn this person felt that way as I wasn't expecting. He is a technical oriented person, heavily into HAM radio, astronomy, etc. so I was surprised to find out he felt this way.

Ludicrous, ignorant, knee-jerk reactive rubbish? I've heard a wide range in the seven years I've been pursuing drone use (not as a 'hobby', using them as pro-level imaging tools: not toys).

One thing I've learned is it doesn't matter how much you try to 'educate' or reassure: all the average bombastic control freak will hear is you trying to make excuses because you're doing something they don't like... and the reason they don't like you doing it is because you didn't ask their sainted permission to do it.

To apply a percentage rating to encounters....

Total arseholes: 10%
Genuinely curious:10%
Mostly disinterested: but grumbly: 30%
Totally disinterested:50%

 

[Cafguy]

When the Media tells the public such ridiculous things about Drones what can you expect. I remember not too long ago when they tried to tell me that in the middle of the night my Mavic would wake up and overthrow the government!

 

[alfo2010]

I live in Canada and have been approached once by a man asking if it was legal to fly my drone in a city park. I answer in he affirmative and that was the end of the conversation. What I do get is aa lot of people asking questions about my drones. I have had many seniors asking about how easy it would be for them to take up the hobby and what kind of drone to buy. I think that there is a much different view about drones in Canada and its mostly positive compared to the USA.

 

[hank970]

I live in Canada and have been approached once by a man asking if it was legal to fly my drone in a city park. I answer in he affirmative and that was the end of the conversation. What I do get is aa lot of people asking questions about my drones. I have had many seniors asking about how easy it would be for them to take up the hobby and what kind of drone to buy. I think that there is a much different view about drones in Canada and its mostly positive compared to the USA.

That's been my experience in the US. I suspect that most people have the same concerns and levels of curiosity and tolerance no matter where they live. The most aggressive reaction to the presence of my drone has been a neighbor's border collie.

 

[mavic3usa]

I've only been at this since May, ....

I guess I'm a bit shocked that you've already had so many of these experiences in such a short period of time. I'm pretty sensitive to others making contact and there's no way I would be able to fly comfortably if I experienced half of what you have. Perhaps you can focus on making yourself "unapproachable" or choose your flying location in a limited access or inaccessible spot. Park your car and walk or ride the bike to somewhere nearby such that someone would have to go out of their way to confront you.

 

[PINEBARON]

I think it's a question of luck too. Flown in busy US beaches, even with coast guard helis flying across, and lakes and mountains in Canada, no one bothered to question me. Always followed rules and cognizant of people around in busy areas (but legal) when taking off or landing without panic. In Canada of course obtained the ranger's permission before flying. I find people are more scared of my RC planes, I guess because they are larger and much faster.

 

[paulhackerllc]

I guess I'm a bit shocked that you've already had so many of these experiences in such a short period of time. I'm pretty sensitive to others making contact and there's no way I would be able to fly comfortably if I experienced half of what you have. Perhaps you can focus on making yourself "unapproachable" or choose your flying location in a limited access or inaccessible spot. Park your car and walk or ride the bike to somewhere nearby such that someone would have to go out of their way to confront you.

Or wear a hi-viz vest, hardhat, orange cones and a flashing strobe on your vehicle. Make it look so official, they don’t want to approach you. It would be an interesting experiment.

 

[AMann]

Couple observations:

-issues resulting from confrontations with others usually start when both parties have attitude. One can usually defuse a “Karen” or overzealous law enforcement encounter if they are flying legally, and can educate rather than berate the other person.

-There are two types of RID transmissions, WiFi and Bluetooth. Android systems can detect both, but iPhones can only recognize the Bluetooth type. Most drones, like DJI’s, only transmit the WiFi type, and the inexpensive add-on RID modules people attach to their older, non-updated drones, or other drones and model aircraft without built-in RiD, use Bluetooth.

-Sounds nerdy, but I am sure wearing a safety vest does get more positive responses from people, and less negative ones than when not wearing one, as people typically ignore me then (probably because they think it’s official). Also, a company logo on a helmet or safety vest is fine, but I would not take it as far as having the back of my vest printed with FAA certified pilot notices though, but I can understand why some like to wear those. I also wouldn’t wear a hard hat unless you can get a professional one- those from the hardware store really look amateurish and are not very functional. I have a work one and only wear it on work sites when they are required, otherwise I wear either a wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap for better visibility and sun protection.

-OP: graduate to a better drone when you can, something lower cost like a Mini 3 or 4k will make your flying experiences so much more enjoyable, and the quality of your photographs will increase 10 fold over those with disposable drones. Amazon has been having some very good sales on them this month.

 

[PINEBARON]

When on beaches I'm usually around with family, ganrdkids, son, son-in-law and wives, all ultra-British and polite, however, no foolish Karen would want to mess about with them. When alone, I usually can't be seen except when my drone is active tracking me on my bike.

 

[MA2 317]

Have a Visual Observer when flying to help prevent a potential confrontation.

It's good to have a second set of eyes on the drone and the surroundings when flying.

When I first started flying the SPARK in 2017, the best weapon I had was the little brick itself.

If I was being robbed, I figured Sport mode at the last second towards the perp may work while landing calmly.

.

 

[AMann]

When on beaches I'm usually around with family, ganrdkids, son, son-in-law and wives, all ultra-British and polite, however, no foolish Karen would want to mess about with them. When alone, I usually can't be seen except when my drone is active tracking me on my bike.

Good point, it does help to be in a family or friends group type of situation when you’re recreationally flying and getting pictures of them along with the scenery. Obviously, my post above would probably work best only in work situations, I don’t wear my vest and helmet with a bathing suit on the beach!

 

[hank970]

Or wear a hi-viz vest, hardhat, orange cones and a flashing strobe on your vehicle. Make it look so official, they don’t want to approach you. It would be an interesting experiment.

For sure, furtive behavior on the part of pilots who think their activities might be intrusive or offensive is more likely to attract unwanted attention than not. Sneakiness invites suspicion. If you're acting responsibly and operating where you have every right to be, project that confidence.

 

[EricJT]

As I have mentioned in the past, I fly mostly in rural areas (NE of Toronto) as I am into landscape panoramas.

Those few times I fly in the city, I fly in parks with the city's prior agreement....it tends to attract mostly the curious. I can only recall once being approached by a know it all with whom I did not engage....I finished up and moved on.