Judderman said:To the individual who uploaded this video originally I'd like to say this - HA HA! What an idiot. He posted his video here, the thread has since been removed - I commented on the fact that I thought it was irresponsible flying, and low and behold, the cops have been in contact with him.
If he had permission to fly up to this, yes, it would be cool, but he didn't. Instead he recklessly flew hundreds of feet (518 to be precise) above a populated area and I am actually disappointed he didn't get more than a warning.
I know the people in the observation deck were never in any danger - that's not my beef with this. It's the poor saps on the ground below. If a phantom had a failure, which does happen, and it hit someone, they aren't living to tell the tale.
So to the individual that did this - you shouldn't have a phantom. I know a lot of folks here frequently say 'people like X ruin this hobby for everyone else'. Well guess what, we have a forum member who is just one such idiot, and I have no problem publicly berating you for your actions.
TheloniousMac said:The police were called because someone overreacted and said that the Phantom hit the Space Needle causing damage to private property.
If he had hit something or dropped it on someone or something then absolutely he should be charged and eventually some drone will doe something like that RC planes have been doing it for decades anyway.
Honestly I'd be more worried about the elderly driving behind the wheel of a car than a Phantom getting cool shots and if you think every pilot is skilled, trained and able to handle any situation then bravo for you.
We should be happy that we live in countries that a "drone" flying overhead doesn't want to kill us and is designed for recreation.
How much damage is a 1.3kg Phantom going to do dropping from 600 feet (certainly enough to break the gimbal). It's not aerodynamic so it's not like dropping a rock, sure the chances of it hitting someone increases with crowds but it's still a small chance and even then it might have the same force as a bird swooping to protect it's nest (which we have around here). Maybe it would crack a car windscreen (maybe a Mythbusters challenge).
Now some fun facts: (averages)
Sharks kill 5 people per year, roller coasters - 6
Vending machines supposedly kill 13 people each year, one more than fireworks
Fricking cows manage to kill 22 people per year
Dogs kill 30 while our pet jellyfish top off 40 people per year,
Inanimate hot dogs are impressively choking 70 kids annually,
the American black friday sales kill 550 people (debate over how sad this is, is ongoing)
600 people each year go too far with autoerotic asphyxiation
900 people each year are failing in how to survive a bicycle, while aeroplanes thin the herd by about 1200 each year (might be up this year)
Just under 2000 people are falling down stairs to their deaths,
hippopotamus claim nearly 3000 lives a year while texting while driving is gunning for number 1 with over 6000 per year having a 1 sided conversation,
lightning still going strong and getting 10,000 zaps in each year,
but the absolute best and I think most horrific problem facing the modern world, obesity is clogging over 30,000 porkers every year.
But by god lets stop flying our toy around taking cool videos...
Deaths by drone in the US - 0, deaths by drone in whatever country america is currently fighting - CLASSIFIED
I'm going to have to look up deaths by elderly...
TheloniousMac said:
GoodnNuff said:He flew above 400 feet and flew over a populated area (the base of the needle and the Seattle Center complex are full of tourists). He violated FAA rules and city ordinances.
GoodnNuff said:He flew above 400 feet and flew over a populated area (the base of the needle and the Seattle Center complex are full of tourists). He violated FAA rules and city ordinances. The police were called by people in the Needle and the Space Needle staff as well. To quote Space Needle management: "We love people to take pictures from inside the observation deck! We do not like people taking pictures from outside the observation deck!" This wasn't the first Quadcopter to buzz the needle, and it won't be the last, but the management has made it clear that they will call the police each time they spot a quad flying around the edifice.
A few weeks before a woman looked out her bedroom window in her Belltown (near the Space Needle) high rise to see a "drone" with a camera just outside the window at 6:30 am. She snapped several photos and police were called. The camera was not pointed at her, but again, not something any of us would want to see outside our bedroom window 20 some floors up. It also made national news.
A few years ago Seattle Police spent a large chunk of money to purchase two Draganflyer X6 Helicopter Tech drones. They were to be used for hostage situations, and shared with local sheriff's departments for search and rescue. The plug was pulled on that program before it ever got off the ground. Citizens groups and privacy advocates raised such a ruckus that the city returned the drones and scrapped the program.
Seattle is not a UAV friendly community. And when we have idiots flying like this in our city it does impact me and every other RC hobbyist in the area. I can't even fly one of my small quads (without a camera) in the surrounding suburbs of Seattle now without getting yelled at or people threatening to call the police. And I don't fly over people, cars or homes but it still freaks the hell out of some people who are so frightened due to media reports over reacting to stupid people like this "amazon employee" that thought nothing of launching out his hotel window and flying over one of our city's most crowded areas!
Please fly responsibly (and **** I'd love to buzz the Needle with my quad!).
GoodnNuff said:"What specific city ordinances do you think he violated ? Please provide specific and verifiable quotes."
Seattle Municiple Code 18.12.265 (There are three city parks surrounding the base of the Space Needle).
FAA and AMA guidelines/operating standards are that we fly below 400' AGL. Yes it is a guideline, not a law...yet.
FAA regulations require manned aircraft to remain 500' AGL at all times unless landing - 1000' AGL over populated areas. By generally operating 400' or below and always more than three miles from an airport, model aircraft and manned aircraft have coexisted peacefully for longer than I've been alive.
Now the FAA is working hard to restrict where we can fly after decades of ignoring us. Why now? Connect the dots...
We need to fly responsibly until this is sorted out. Each time someone flies in a manner that the public perceives to be dangerous and it makes the news, the FAA is taking note and will use these examples as ammunition against us.
Fact: Tourist helicopters do not "buzz" the Space Needle. They are required to maintain a 1000' AGL altitude when flying over the city and the needle.
Fact: The KOMO News heli that crashed did not drop from the sky. It crashed on take off from it's helipad atop the 6 story Fisher Plaza near the base of the Space Needle.
The ultralight community has done a great job of policing themselves and thus have remained pretty much unregulated.
UAV (quadcopter specifically) are doing a horrible job of policing themselves and it will bite us all in the ***.
Opwan, if it is me that you are accusing of "bashing" the list?
Please show me a specific instance where I've bashed a list member.
Thanks.