Drones ...

[The Shadow Knows]

I think JUST nailed it.

Yea, private drone flying can be fun however,
I feel that at sometime in the near future, a terrorist drone WILL be used to kill people.
You can count on this happening, it's only a question of where & when.

There does need to be highly stringent regulations, including invasion of privacy issues.
I just see future problems here........

 

[JRT]

I've been flying RC Aircraft since the 80s, the capability to do that kind of harm has been around longer then that, The problem is the technology now let's anyone fly these with, in many cases, no training or skill. Don't get me wrong the tech is amazing, in the 90s RC helicopters were the hardest of any flying skill to get, and the aircraft were extremely fragile and expensive. Now I have a full collective pitch helicopter with gyros, self leveling and bailout save my bacon switch. These 'drones' are very cool, my son and I have a couple of First Person racing quads right now and the tech is amazing. The speed these things can hit with 4 spinning blades of death are very real and need to be respected. This thread is fascinating to me as the applications can be pretty impressive to the community that wants to us them. Personally I'm not interested right now because I want less tech in my life so sailing is that. However I love the idea of this for a future when my wife are cruising and the security it could add would be worth it. Especially that flame thrower one...

 

[justsomeguy]

I just see future problems here...

While I agree that the probability of drone-borne terrorism is 100%, it's a futile mindset to dwell on the negatives for too long.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

There is a time and place for drones but to simply buzz a home or folks for the fun of it, I have my solution as I value my privacy.

 

[jssailem]

I have seen the youtube of the guy come out of the house and shot down the drone that was ooogling his daughter sunning herself in the yard.
Looks to me like a well thrown rock would do the same with out the noise.
Or if it is really flying low you could treat it like a pinata and wack..

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

we have gone too far and too fast and look at all the issues this country has. Like I said it has a time and a place for everything but lacking responsibility, I do not associate with those folks

 

[agprice22]

The problem I have with drones is the scare tactic / spectacularization of the potential for violation of privacy with drones by the fake news sites. I fly a drone, and I have people confront me vehemently, even aggressively, how they don’t like drones because they are a violation of privacy. I note, firmly, that I have not violated their privacy or anyone else’s. I tell them I know the laws and follow them. But it ruins the enjoyment of flying.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I want one. Just don't want to spend the money yet. The cheap ones don't have much air time before they overheat.

Not boat related, but I could see home inspectors using them to check out the condition of a roof, chimney, gutters etc without having to use a ladder.

 

[shemandr]

That gives me another use: Launch a flare from much higher then deck level.
If someone's invading someone else's privacy ... I say "Pull!"

 

[Gunni]

I fly a drone, and I have people confront me vehemently, even aggressively, how they don’t like drones because they are a violation of privacy.

Unless the drone is at eye level they have no more loss of privacy than from satellite cameras. Maybe less.

 

[mm2347]

At least you can not hear the satellites.

 

[Parsons]

I really like your ideas, Shemandr. To get this thread back on target, and for the inexperienced folks (like me), what performance could a sailor expect from a drone that is (1) affordable and (2) small enough to fit on a 30-40 foot boat? I buy electronics and sails for a few grand each, so if the thing works well I'd go up to $3,000. Practically speaking, I don't have much spare room to store a big suitcase with my toy for cruising, but could see using it occasionally for photos or repairs. How much space is required to store one of these? Could it lift more than itself and a camera - say a kilo?

 

[Justin_NSA]

Could it lift more than itself and a camera - say a kilo?

A kilo? What exactly are you planning to do? Is it legal or will the DEA be confiscating your boat?

 

[Will Gilmore]

Unless the drone is at eye level they have no more loss of privacy than from satellite cameras. Maybe less.

it's all about feelings. One can see the drone and feel the invasion. The satellite is truly out of sight out of mind. I mean, unless you are incline to go get your tin foil hat.

But really, what's the problem with invading a little privacy. If someone wants to look at me sunning myself in a bikini, besides needing a drone, they are going to have to mail me a bikini and a lot of sunshine. Otherwise, no show for the drone.

Really it's my opinion that we don't like the idea of someone else profiting, either monetarily or emotionally from our unwitting participation. A photo of a person that suddenly sells and makes the photographer a lot of money will see that photographer in court to pay a share to the subject, where the subject may not have given it a second thought otherwise.

P.S. unless you know how to send a lot of sunshine to the North Country right now, don't bother sending me a bikini. Who really wants to see an image of a 55 year old man with hairy arm pits and flabby tummy, stuffed into a bikini, anyhow.
Try to strike that image from your brain. Now who's invading who's privacy?

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[agprice22]

I have seen the youtube of the guy come out of the house and shot down the drone that was ooogling his daughter sunning herself in the yard.
Looks to me like a well thrown rock would do the same with out the noise.
Or if it is really flying low you could treat it like a pinata and wack..

If you have flown a drone, you know that film was set up. That is the kind of stuff that inflamed people a few years ago. I am sure there are many bad pilots, but I have not seen one.

 

[agprice22]

But really, what's the problem with invading a little privacy. If someone wants to look at me sunning myself in a bikini, besides needing a drone, they are going to have to mail me a bikini and a lot of sunshine. Otherwise, no show for the drone.

P.S. unless you know how to send a lot of sunshine to the North Country right now, don't bother sending me a bikini. Who really wants to see an image of a 55 year old man with hairy arm pits and flabby tummy, stuffed into a bikini, anyhow.
Try to strike that image from your brain. Now who's invading who's privacy?

- Will (Dragonfly)

Haha! I am buying you a bikini!

 

[jssailem]

@agprice22 thank you for the insight.

My nephew (age 13) received a drone for christmas. He took it out to the field next to their home and launched his first flight. It hovered. It zoomed. It buzzed... He was full of joy. He powered his drone up and it soared up up up up up and away.... It just took off into the late afternoon Michigan grey sky. He went inside and put on his heavy coat and boots. It has to be out there in the snow.
It sure was. But it was never found again...

Will No embarrassing images will be posted on the internet of you in a bikini as that would be a terrible invasion of good taste.

 

[agprice22]

@agprice22 thank you for the insight.
He was full of joy. He powered his drone up and it soared up up up up up and away.... It just took off into the late afternoon Michigan grey sky.

If it was a DJI drone, it recorded the flight on his controller. He can download that record and send it to DJI. They will decide whether it was lost due to an error with the drone. If so, they will replace it.

 

[jssailem]

Thank you. I will share the info. I am not sure, but doubt that it was a DJI drone. I am pretty sure the drone was not that expensive.
It is a nice thing to know that DJI has that technology.

 

[agprice22]

Thank you. I will share the info. I am not sure, but doubt that it was a DJI drone. I am pretty sure the drone was not that expensive.
It is a nice thing to know that DJI has that technology.

Yes. DJI drones are really well sorted out. I have owned 2, the Phantom 3, and the Mavic Pro currently. They have both been flawless. The most annoying feature so far has been that the iPhone screen does not project well in sunlight, so seeing the view from the drone can be difficult.