Posted on 04/12/2014 11:31:24 AM PDT by Utilizer
Gene Robinson of Wimberly, Texas, is a licensed pilot and also flies radio-controlled model airplanes—not an unusual combination. About a decade ago, he realized that a model aircraft outfitted to take aerial photos could be enormously useful in locating people who have gone missing—perhaps because they’ve been abducted or maybe just because they are very young and have wandered off into the woods alone. His efforts have paid valuable dividends over the years—helping find the remains of nearly a dozen people. But since late February his search-and-rescue model airplanes have been grounded: That’s when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration notified him in writing that what he has been doing is illegal.
...
Ostensibly, the FAA’s concern is safety. But Robinson is more careful than most RC modelers, following strict procedural guidelines and taking care always to coordinate his flights with the local authorities on the scene. So it’s difficult to argue that his flights are more dangerous than what goes on every weekend at RC modeling sites throughout the United States,...
The FAA’s objection here is that Robinson is violating its ban on commercial drone flights. But Robinson (and others flying drones for disaster assistance) takes no money from the families seeking their lost loved ones, and he has created a not-for-profit organization, RP Search Services, to demonstrate that he is not running a money-making operation. He works closely with Texas EquuSearch, another not-for-profit organization that originally enlisted volunteers on horseback to find people who had gone missing in the wilderness and now helps direct volunteer searchers who have many different kinds of skills and specialty equipment to contribute to the effort.
(Excerpt) Read more at spectrum.ieee.org ...
One of his R/C models could have kept an eye in the sky over the Bundy ranch. Or any other fedzilla tyranny.
If the stazi is not in control of it then it is illegal.
It could be worse. He could open an unlicensed lemonade stand.
If you like your air space, you can keep your air space.
No one can protect someone else from a drone. Do I have to spell out whom the someone else could be?
I haven’t searched for a link yet but there was a court case recently that essentially had the judge rule that the FAA has no authority to prohibit or regulate model aircraft flight. I’m sure the Feds will just appeal until they get the ruling they like though.
He is a licensed pilot and works closely with law enforcement officials and Search And Rescue teams while adhering to all the requirements they need in order to help those in need. I see no need for any concerns over this man's actions and feel that he is going above and beyond in his actions. The bureaucrats are just threatened because it exposes the lack of need for them in this regard and thus their jobs as well. They need some justification to keep on receiving a paycheck is what this is really all about.
They don’t want the public to become proficient in small drone technology and flight. It’s means less control for them.
Bingo.
I was speaking in general terms. A drone, any drone, can be weaponized and piloted to a target with impunity. Just a fact, albeit inconvenient fact to be sure for the Secret Service.
His R/C models could also discover skeletons in the Fed’s closets and that would be disastrous.
And justify their existence, of course.
Simple answer is this....IF THE FEDS DON”T CONTROL IT THEY DON”T WANT IT
"Comrade Mister Robinson, it hurts the hearts of those of us who represent the American people that you have not joined one of the government organizations that makes sure you are doing these things in an orderly and safe manner. We urge you to participate in our federal civilian aviation program so that we may both protect the American people and supervise training and discipline which will benefit the community as well as yourself. Be part of the glorious Department of Homeland Security!
Oh, and one more thing: do you think you could land a drone atop a rancher on horseback? Just curious. Take care, Mr. Robinson."
I wonder how CAP is coming along with their UAV training?
Mr. niteowl77
The federal government notified us that if we ever built such a craft then whoever we wished to send up with it would need to be a certified pilot and/or undergo astronaut training (at our expense) before we would be permitted.
In vain we argued them. Firstly because it would not be a true "aircraft" as it would have roughly the same "flying" capabilities of a large brick. Less, actually if it came down unpowered. Secondly, we would not be staying up there for any length of time since our mission would be solely to get up there and back as quickly as possible, so the demand for us to gain acceptance to and PAY FOR "astronaut" training along with the time required was a ridiculous limitation.
They flat out forbid us to proceed unless we complied with their requirements -and we had to notify them of any planned launches in advance and get their approval along with a permit, as well as submitting to pre- mission and post- mission Safety Inspections as well as random ones at their discretion.
I left before the program was too far along and never did find out how far they got...
"Everything for the State, nothing outside of the State, nothing against the State."
by the father of Fascism, Mussolini.
This is now the default position of the federal government. If we don't control it...you cannot do it....
Another example of big government doing it worse than the private sector
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