Toy Drones
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Oz
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"I am just so sick of legislation and regulations designed as a fix for everything. ......Legislation is for dumb idiots. The problem is, dumb idiots won't read legislation"
Using that logic, we may as well dump all the Regs...well, why not dump all our laws as it is doubtful "dumb idiots" spend spend their time reading any legislation, be it aviation, traffic or criminal.
Leglislation may not fix all the problems, but at least legally penalising one idiot using a drone innappropriatly might make him think twice next time.
Using that logic, we may as well dump all the Regs...well, why not dump all our laws as it is doubtful "dumb idiots" spend spend their time reading any legislation, be it aviation, traffic or criminal.
Leglislation may not fix all the problems, but at least legally penalising one idiot using a drone innappropriatly might make him think twice next time.
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Melbourne
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Drones & other sophisticated toy flying machines are here to stay, better get used to it & the associated risks!
Its like everything mankind invents it gets abused. Like that saying....'locks are for honest thieves"
Its like everything mankind invents it gets abused. Like that saying....'locks are for honest thieves"
Let me put it another way, of all the threats to aircraft safety in Australia, RPAS or drones do not make the top three in my opinion.
Some of you guys are looking for a problem.
Some of you guys are looking for a problem.
A large part of the issue lies with the retailers who make no attempt to educate would-be drone pilots.
I suspect the problem would go away if retailers were required to pull out CASA's "Can I Fly There?" app when a customer was considering a purchase and show them exactly where they can fly their new toy. Once a potential drone-buyer sees just how restrictive the law is, particularly around those scenic areas in metro areas where they all want to fly and film, I think they'll put their $500-plus back in their wallet and use it for something else.
I suspect the problem would go away if retailers were required to pull out CASA's "Can I Fly There?" app when a customer was considering a purchase and show them exactly where they can fly their new toy. Once a potential drone-buyer sees just how restrictive the law is, particularly around those scenic areas in metro areas where they all want to fly and film, I think they'll put their $500-plus back in their wallet and use it for something else.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Australia
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Talking to a drone pilot recently, of modifying his drone with a battery upgrade to give it 90 mins endurance and a nominal range of I forget.
"Won't that take it out of line of sight ?" says I.
"Well duh" says he.
Personally, in the machine I usually operate, I am not that worried about a smashed electronic gadget with a damaged Lipo battery penetrating the main spar and breaching a wing fuel tank.
But some should be.
"Won't that take it out of line of sight ?" says I.
"Well duh" says he.
Personally, in the machine I usually operate, I am not that worried about a smashed electronic gadget with a damaged Lipo battery penetrating the main spar and breaching a wing fuel tank.
But some should be.
Join Date: Apr 1998
Location: Mesopotamos
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I was watching a drone operator at an inner city beach last Sunday, he was mostly a low level nuisance but he did pull off a ballistic manoeuvre that went as high as some rescue helicopter patrols - albeit infrequently. The speed and manoeuvrability of these things is way beyond the see-and-avoid ability of any pilot so if one unexpectedly turns into your flight path then you're buggered.
I mentioned this to someone at work who told me he owns a drone. He says the cheap (circa $500 variety) that you see in your common retail store are all made by just one manufacturer (can't remember the name). He also says the are controlled by Wifi and can also follow a pre-programmed route using GPS. This to me means their signal can be interfered with and the drone can be sent out to sea to explore Davey Jone's locker.
Last Saturday we had real helicopters (EC120) televising the Caulfield cup in somewhat inclement weather. The noise of the Fenestron tail on these things is unmistakeable, and during one manoeuvre I thought I heard the rasping sound of scraping Fenestron blades. My first thought was a drone had a meeting with the helicopter's tail but the helicopter didn't seem to show any adverse affects - perhaps it wasn't a drone and was just another one of the weird noises that come out of that tail rotor. But if it was a drone how would the pilot know immediately that damage had occurred as the Fenestron rotor system requires much pedal displacement even when operating normally. I think I will continue to work on my Wifi jammer.
Hmmm, I disagree. I can still recall a takeoff in at YMMB where I spotted a seagull to my left at around 200ft about to intersect with my flight path. I though my size and noise would be enough to scare it away but it must have been deaf and blind on it's right side. Just before it hit my prop I pushed the nose over hard and ducked my head under the dash. I was expecting to hear a thud on the vertical stabiliser but fortunately it missed. I quickly pulled the nose back up and popped up my head looking for that bird - I couldn't see it anywhere. Yes, they may have a sense of self preservation but it's limited to their tiny bird brains.
I mentioned this to someone at work who told me he owns a drone. He says the cheap (circa $500 variety) that you see in your common retail store are all made by just one manufacturer (can't remember the name). He also says the are controlled by Wifi and can also follow a pre-programmed route using GPS. This to me means their signal can be interfered with and the drone can be sent out to sea to explore Davey Jone's locker.
Last Saturday we had real helicopters (EC120) televising the Caulfield cup in somewhat inclement weather. The noise of the Fenestron tail on these things is unmistakeable, and during one manoeuvre I thought I heard the rasping sound of scraping Fenestron blades. My first thought was a drone had a meeting with the helicopter's tail but the helicopter didn't seem to show any adverse affects - perhaps it wasn't a drone and was just another one of the weird noises that come out of that tail rotor. But if it was a drone how would the pilot know immediately that damage had occurred as the Fenestron rotor system requires much pedal displacement even when operating normally. I think I will continue to work on my Wifi jammer.
Birds have a sense of self preservation. Drones don't.
Ye Olde Shotgun may be the best medicine for these pesky drones.
People have had them hovering at their bedroom windows, etc. Obviously, there is a small percentage of weirdo types with different agendas.
People have had them hovering at their bedroom windows, etc. Obviously, there is a small percentage of weirdo types with different agendas.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Perth
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FYI, I have a friend with a Parrot Bebop 2 drone.
It can be programmed with the aid of Google Maps to fly unaided (i.e. loss of signal to the base controller is fine) on a specific course up to about 2-3KM away and return within its 25 min battery life. Max height is 150 metres AGL.
Maximum control distance with line-of-sight controller and video signal using a long-range WiFi signal is about 2KM (probably less in built-up areas).
Maximum airspeed is 32 knots.
It can be programmed with the aid of Google Maps to fly unaided (i.e. loss of signal to the base controller is fine) on a specific course up to about 2-3KM away and return within its 25 min battery life. Max height is 150 metres AGL.
Maximum control distance with line-of-sight controller and video signal using a long-range WiFi signal is about 2KM (probably less in built-up areas).
Maximum airspeed is 32 knots.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Oz
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British Department of Transport reported an increase from 6 events in 2014 to 93 events info reported near misses 2018.
Just like there are a percentage of idiot car drivers, idiot laser owners, idiots, there will always be a percentage of idiot drone drivers, so unfortunately legislation will be required for that part of the gene pool.
Just like there are a percentage of idiot car drivers, idiot laser owners, idiots, there will always be a percentage of idiot drone drivers, so unfortunately legislation will be required for that part of the gene pool.
