How many of you have heard these or similar words? "HEY YOU; FLYING A DRONE HERE IS ILLEGAL!!!" or perhaps the more subtle approach, "What do you think you are doing? This is a No-Drone Zone…"
I have not yet made the plunge into an expensive Drone and I only have an inexpensive non-DJI Drone, but I have watched many YouTube Videos and read many, many postings on various web sites of the hassles Drone Flyers have faced by various "authority figures" or self-appointed "Ken's or Karen's."
I have had two run-ins with what I'll call "Jack Booted Thugs" authority figures…
One time my Drone was up in the air, I asked if I could land it safely. I explained that interfering with a Drone pilot while their Drone is in the air is a Federal Offense and punishable under the same laws that govern interfering with a pilot operating an aircraft. Because an out-of-control drone striking a person could injure them or worse, coming down in traffic could cause an accident, or at the very least, cause property damage. And that took much of the wind out of his sails… (As for the validity of all this, I do not know, but no one has ever questioned it…).
The other time, I was approached while swapping batteries… I've also had a few, "Hi there, what's you doing?" and these were pleasant exchanges that I just flying my drone around, I show then the same paperwork and all goes well.
When I am approached while flying, I bring the Drone back, usually very slowly… The conversation usually lightens up and I ask them if I can show them some paperwork.
I carry a copy of my TRUST Completion Certificate and I show them the certificate and explain that "I am an FAA Registered Recreation Drone Pilot."
Although I am not required to register my Drone (190 Grams…), I registered it. I show them a copy of my FAA UAS Certificate of Registration for my Drone, and show them the certificate and the Registration Information on my Drone (my FAA Number and my Phone Number).
I also carry a printed copy of the Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations Flying Rules to show I am operating my Drone within the Rules of Flight.
Then, depending on the specific location, if I'm in an FAA Controlled area and had to apply for flight authorization through the FAADroneZone Web Site, I show them a printed copy of the FAA Authorization and if I only had to apply for LAANC, I show them a printed copy of my Computer Screen Authorization. And if the area is OPEN, I show them the Map on B4FLY App.
And, because I do not fly in an prohibited area, Knock-on-Wood, I have never had to stop and desist my drone flying…
You can look at it several ways; either I dazzled them with my brilliance, or I baffled them with bull…
I like to think I used my Jedi Mind Trick…
Happy Droning and Fly Safe…
BDC
I have not yet made the plunge into an expensive Drone and I only have an inexpensive non-DJI Drone, but I have watched many YouTube Videos and read many, many postings on various web sites of the hassles Drone Flyers have faced by various "authority figures" or self-appointed "Ken's or Karen's."
I have had two run-ins with what I'll call "Jack Booted Thugs" authority figures…
One time my Drone was up in the air, I asked if I could land it safely. I explained that interfering with a Drone pilot while their Drone is in the air is a Federal Offense and punishable under the same laws that govern interfering with a pilot operating an aircraft. Because an out-of-control drone striking a person could injure them or worse, coming down in traffic could cause an accident, or at the very least, cause property damage. And that took much of the wind out of his sails… (As for the validity of all this, I do not know, but no one has ever questioned it…).
The other time, I was approached while swapping batteries… I've also had a few, "Hi there, what's you doing?" and these were pleasant exchanges that I just flying my drone around, I show then the same paperwork and all goes well.
When I am approached while flying, I bring the Drone back, usually very slowly… The conversation usually lightens up and I ask them if I can show them some paperwork.
I carry a copy of my TRUST Completion Certificate and I show them the certificate and explain that "I am an FAA Registered Recreation Drone Pilot."
Although I am not required to register my Drone (190 Grams…), I registered it. I show them a copy of my FAA UAS Certificate of Registration for my Drone, and show them the certificate and the Registration Information on my Drone (my FAA Number and my Phone Number).
I also carry a printed copy of the Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations Flying Rules to show I am operating my Drone within the Rules of Flight.
Then, depending on the specific location, if I'm in an FAA Controlled area and had to apply for flight authorization through the FAADroneZone Web Site, I show them a printed copy of the FAA Authorization and if I only had to apply for LAANC, I show them a printed copy of my Computer Screen Authorization. And if the area is OPEN, I show them the Map on B4FLY App.
And, because I do not fly in an prohibited area, Knock-on-Wood, I have never had to stop and desist my drone flying…
You can look at it several ways; either I dazzled them with my brilliance, or I baffled them with bull…
I like to think I used my Jedi Mind Trick…
Happy Droning and Fly Safe…
BDC