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Drone Operator Arrested — Parallax Forums

Drone Operator Arrested

tomcrawfordtomcrawford Posts: 1,126
in General Discussion
sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/07/15/cal-fire-arrests-drone-pilot-for-flying-near-trailhead-fire/

This fire was pretty close to where I live. The authorities DID suspend air operations for several critical hours because of this clown.

Comments

  • Keith YoungKeith Young Posts: 569
    Do they also stop flying when there are birds?
  • rod1963rod1963 Posts: 752
    Tell me keith would you like the airplane you're flying on to suck a drone into it's engine?

    Or have it hit the cockpit windshield at 200 MPH while flying just a few hundred feet above the ground?

  • Keith YoungKeith Young Posts: 569
    Birds also get sucked in to engines, and hit windshields.

    I worked in aviation, dealt with tons of damage, and know someone who died from a bird strike incident.
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    They do indeed do their best to keep birds away from airstrips.
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    edited 2016-07-18 04:56
    Can't do anything about birds. They *can* do something about clowns. That's all the difference there needs to be.
  • Keith YoungKeith Young Posts: 569
    Yep I used to help keeping birds, deer, coyotes etc away from the runway.

    Anyway a threat is a threat, and I don't know that they'll stop operations because they saw a bird.

    I don't think the drone should be around there, but to stop operations completely seems kind of pouty to me.
  • SeairthSeairth Posts: 2,474
    I'd be surprised if birds were deliberately flying over/near a forest fire. I suspect that's one of the lesser safety concerns in a situation like this.
  • GordonMcCombGordonMcComb Posts: 3,366
    Insurance claims.

    If they see a bird, they can apply long-standing rules, depending on such things as the number of birds. It's CYA (and stay out of jail) if you can quote the rule book.

    If they see a drone, there are no long-standing rules yet developed, so a bad result becomes a matter of contention. Your A (and possibly freedom) is on the line, so you'll apply more reserve.

    Some people are going to exercise more reserve than others. It comes down to circumstances and level of risk avoidance. It'll keep happening until the rules -- and therefore who pays when things go wrong while following those rules -- can be established.
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    These heli fire rescue guys live inside of the dead man's curve. Way too much risk as is. Not many people would do it to begin with.
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