Figured it had to happen eventually. I went down by the Sydney Opera House and there was a helicopter buzzing the area that would not leave. So I waited for 45 minutes and he finally left but was replaced by another helicopter which stayed around for only about 15 minutes. When all was clear I got airborne and got some good footage. I was about 390' to get some footage of the Sydney Bridge when I heard that helicopter coming back. I tried to bring it down but saw that guy coming fairly fast at about 250' so I just hovered at about 350'. He flew past about my 5 o'clock which was really too close for me.
I decided to bring it back and go since the battery level was getting low anyway. Packed up and started on my way but realized there was another area directly behind the Opera house that would be a great place. Haven't heard any helicopters in some time now so I went up there and started on my second mission. Got a great dronie from that position and flying over the Opera house and was about 10 minutes into flying toward the bridge. Man I wanted some good footage of that bridge... Well about 7 security guys descended on me and told me I was breaking the law.
I was very polite and they were as well. They told me that it was illegal to fly anywhere in the city. (yeah, duh, that's why I was over the bay) I explained that was why I was over the bay but they said that the bay was also illegal because the drone could fall and hit a ship. :-/ I didn't argue. I was also told that where I was originating from was a park that could carry a $5000 fine. Well so much for my research on the best place to fly. But they didn't cite me and I was polite and left without a hitch.
I can't believe all the negativity around the drone industry. It's like people have lost all common sense. But it is what it is. Next I'm going to try to fly the cliffs by the ocean. I think its far enough away from the beaches that no one will care. We shall see.
I decided to bring it back and go since the battery level was getting low anyway. Packed up and started on my way but realized there was another area directly behind the Opera house that would be a great place. Haven't heard any helicopters in some time now so I went up there and started on my second mission. Got a great dronie from that position and flying over the Opera house and was about 10 minutes into flying toward the bridge. Man I wanted some good footage of that bridge... Well about 7 security guys descended on me and told me I was breaking the law.
I was very polite and they were as well. They told me that it was illegal to fly anywhere in the city. (yeah, duh, that's why I was over the bay) I explained that was why I was over the bay but they said that the bay was also illegal because the drone could fall and hit a ship. :-/ I didn't argue. I was also told that where I was originating from was a park that could carry a $5000 fine. Well so much for my research on the best place to fly. But they didn't cite me and I was polite and left without a hitch.
I can't believe all the negativity around the drone industry. It's like people have lost all common sense. But it is what it is. Next I'm going to try to fly the cliffs by the ocean. I think its far enough away from the beaches that no one will care. We shall see.
