Fellow Rotorheads, a serious question re drones.
British Police Use Drones to Track Misbehaving Bikers | RideApart
British Police Use Drones to Track Misbehaving Bikers
Police in England are using drones to crack down on antisocial behavior from motorcyclists.
According to Motorcycle News, authorities in the English town of South Shields have employed the latest in airborne video technology to to record footage of motorcyclists who ride recklessly.
Police departments in Dorset, Cornwall, and Devon previously teamed up to create a dedicated drone unit to provide 24-hour operations covering three counties. While U.S. law enforcement agencies have been considering the use of drones for several years, public opposition has blocked most of their efforts thus far. Four years ago the Seattle police department tried to institute a drone program, but it was shut down by public opinion. Shortly thereafter, a similar plan proposed by the Los Angeles police was halted by similar resistance.
England has not experienced such public outcry.
“Drone capability is a cutting-edge way to support operational policing,” Chief Superintendent Jim Nye, commander of the Devon-Cornwall and Dorset Police Operations Alliance told MCN. “This technology offers a highly cost effective approach in supporting our officers on the ground in operational policing. Drones can even help police track and monitor suspects during a firearm or terrorist incident, as it will allow officers to gain vital information, quickly, safely, and allow us to respond effectively at the scene.”
English authorities have made the case that drones represent significant cost savings to the taxpayers. Compared to the expense of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, drones offer a far cheaper alternative, and can be equipped with more accurate technology like tracking zoom lenses and thermal imaging components. Plus, residents of peaceful English villages who are tired of feckless hooligans pulling wheelies through town don’t have the added annoyances of police sirens or helicopters hammering overhead.
Despite the more vocal concerns about invasion of privacy in the U.S., there are now some 350 government agencies working with drones. The figure includes state and local police forces, county sheriffs, fire departments and search and rescue units. Texas, California and Michigan top the list of users, and the trend is expected to grow. An estimate by the Federal Aviation Agency forecasts that some 30,000 drones will be in operation in the next few years.
Here in Victoria we have VicPol solo training using drones to follow trainee riders (in the bush on trail bikes) and film them for performance reviews.
I wonder whether this sort of stuff by Policing agencies meets the Aviation requirements of the region? Especially the intimation in the quoted article that Cornwall and Devon Police intend a 24 hour operation, which can not remain in sight of the operator if used as reported.
British Police Use Drones to Track Misbehaving Bikers
Police in England are using drones to crack down on antisocial behavior from motorcyclists.
According to Motorcycle News, authorities in the English town of South Shields have employed the latest in airborne video technology to to record footage of motorcyclists who ride recklessly.
Police departments in Dorset, Cornwall, and Devon previously teamed up to create a dedicated drone unit to provide 24-hour operations covering three counties. While U.S. law enforcement agencies have been considering the use of drones for several years, public opposition has blocked most of their efforts thus far. Four years ago the Seattle police department tried to institute a drone program, but it was shut down by public opinion. Shortly thereafter, a similar plan proposed by the Los Angeles police was halted by similar resistance.
England has not experienced such public outcry.
“Drone capability is a cutting-edge way to support operational policing,” Chief Superintendent Jim Nye, commander of the Devon-Cornwall and Dorset Police Operations Alliance told MCN. “This technology offers a highly cost effective approach in supporting our officers on the ground in operational policing. Drones can even help police track and monitor suspects during a firearm or terrorist incident, as it will allow officers to gain vital information, quickly, safely, and allow us to respond effectively at the scene.”
English authorities have made the case that drones represent significant cost savings to the taxpayers. Compared to the expense of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, drones offer a far cheaper alternative, and can be equipped with more accurate technology like tracking zoom lenses and thermal imaging components. Plus, residents of peaceful English villages who are tired of feckless hooligans pulling wheelies through town don’t have the added annoyances of police sirens or helicopters hammering overhead.
Despite the more vocal concerns about invasion of privacy in the U.S., there are now some 350 government agencies working with drones. The figure includes state and local police forces, county sheriffs, fire departments and search and rescue units. Texas, California and Michigan top the list of users, and the trend is expected to grow. An estimate by the Federal Aviation Agency forecasts that some 30,000 drones will be in operation in the next few years.
I wonder whether this sort of stuff by Policing agencies meets the Aviation requirements of the region? Especially the intimation in the quoted article that Cornwall and Devon Police intend a 24 hour operation, which can not remain in sight of the operator if used as reported.
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OK. If we can't jam them, how about developing scout drones designed to fly underneath the photo drone and take it out with an upward firing airgun. If the scout rotors were in the way then surely some form of interrupter gear could be incorporated in the system.
Some years ago I remember model rockets (Estes?) were all the rage. Could these not be developed into some form of home defence SAM emplacements?
Or maybe my 18 stone mate's solution of taking out an offending drone on the ground along with it's operator is the best answer to protecting ones airspace!
Some years ago I remember model rockets (Estes?) were all the rage. Could these not be developed into some form of home defence SAM emplacements?
Or maybe my 18 stone mate's solution of taking out an offending drone on the ground along with it's operator is the best answer to protecting ones airspace!
dakkg651
I'm certain that assault isn't the best way to deal with it. 
protecting 'one's airspace' ??? You own the airspace do you? Interesting
Or maybe my 18 stone mate's solution of taking out an offending drone on the ground along with it's operator is the best answer to protecting ones airspace!
protecting 'one's airspace' ??? You own the airspace do you? Interesting
Hope the OP has suitable insurance otherwise his entire estate is going to be wiped out in one claim.
I would expect atleast £50 million PLI and a Ltd company for starters. Oh - and access to a very good lawyer to reduce his prison term if found guilty.
I would expect atleast £50 million PLI and a Ltd company for starters. Oh - and access to a very good lawyer to reduce his prison term if found guilty.
The drones operate using spread spectrum frequency hopping technology on the same frequencies as home wifi networks. They are designed to be far more resistant to interference than home wifi, so any jammer device would wipe out the internet for home users in a 5Km radius before it had any effect on a drone. ...
A directional antenna deals with that quite nicely. Very few wifi users above the horizon.
Drone registration
Warning, seriously whacky ideas ahead...
UK to bring in drone registration http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40684581
In addition the article refers to extended use of geo fencing.
In years to come I hope geofencing of scores of sensitive buildings does not spread to manned craft.
Last year Mercedes Benz unveiled plans for their new concept commercial delivery van.
https://youtu.be/MVQowcBLuqk
They are proposing a business where their delivery vans can sort parcels using "just in time" philosophy where the item needed in a process is made available just in time, in this case a parcel is shuffled in the van by a robot so the driver doesn't have to do it. They backed up the idea with plenty of statistics and data about the inefficiency of the current system.
Part of the plan is for smaller items to be delivered by drone. The drones, situated on the roof, are fed letters and small parcels from the sorting robot in the van and then launch from the roof when they are close to the delivery adress.
The idea is that drones deliver the "last mile", with the van acting as a mother ship.
So, is there also role for helicopters to be involved in getting parcels and letters to the "last mile"?
Has anyone properly explored the viability of launching and retrieving drones from a helicopter?
I'm assuming there is not yet a solution for a small drone to safely negotiate rotorwash.
I came up with one plan using a platform and net on a line, to enable a filming drone in places where a helicopter couldn't land a crew.
I could imagine mass produced drones costing peanuts in the future, so in some circumstances a drone need not be recoverable by the aircraft.
I can see the issues with sling loads over builtup areas.
However, I wonder as drones are seen to become reliable, if the slung load is actually a dozen drones carrying letters or small packages, if a new set of rules can be made because in the event of an emergency where payload would have to be jettisoned, payload would self launch
The concept of medical supplies being delivered by drone to injured soldiers on the battlefield has been suggested, so innovation may be funded from that department.
The retrieving process is problematic part, its already feasible now to drop a drone and have it free fall for a few seconds before it activates.
Mjb
UK to bring in drone registration http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40684581
In addition the article refers to extended use of geo fencing.
In years to come I hope geofencing of scores of sensitive buildings does not spread to manned craft.
Last year Mercedes Benz unveiled plans for their new concept commercial delivery van.
https://youtu.be/MVQowcBLuqk
They are proposing a business where their delivery vans can sort parcels using "just in time" philosophy where the item needed in a process is made available just in time, in this case a parcel is shuffled in the van by a robot so the driver doesn't have to do it. They backed up the idea with plenty of statistics and data about the inefficiency of the current system.
Part of the plan is for smaller items to be delivered by drone. The drones, situated on the roof, are fed letters and small parcels from the sorting robot in the van and then launch from the roof when they are close to the delivery adress.
The idea is that drones deliver the "last mile", with the van acting as a mother ship.
So, is there also role for helicopters to be involved in getting parcels and letters to the "last mile"?
Has anyone properly explored the viability of launching and retrieving drones from a helicopter?
I'm assuming there is not yet a solution for a small drone to safely negotiate rotorwash.
I came up with one plan using a platform and net on a line, to enable a filming drone in places where a helicopter couldn't land a crew.
I could imagine mass produced drones costing peanuts in the future, so in some circumstances a drone need not be recoverable by the aircraft.
I can see the issues with sling loads over builtup areas.
However, I wonder as drones are seen to become reliable, if the slung load is actually a dozen drones carrying letters or small packages, if a new set of rules can be made because in the event of an emergency where payload would have to be jettisoned, payload would self launch
The concept of medical supplies being delivered by drone to injured soldiers on the battlefield has been suggested, so innovation may be funded from that department.
The retrieving process is problematic part, its already feasible now to drop a drone and have it free fall for a few seconds before it activates.
Mjb
Last edited by mickjoebill; 22nd Jul 2017 at 04:25.
Reference larger towns and cities: The way computer drive land vehicles are developing I'd say in a short few years that they will dominate the roads. Once this happens and road congestion is removed because of the efficiency of having a central computer 'organise' all traffic then small door to door delivery vehicles will be mere minutes away - no need to fly over non-existent road congestion. And thus no need to have swarms of irritating drones flying overhead. Also I'd suspect that the terrorist capabilities of drones will see the need to remove them from the sky's over populated areas.
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