Anyone else concerned about drones?

Hi-
 
Is anyone else nervous about drones, especially with Christmas fast approaching and regulations being apparently very new and pretty light?
 
I can imagine a drone failing and crashing down on a highway in front of a car, similar to this one crashing down just behind a skier:
http://www.engadget.com/2015/12/22/drone-camera-almost-crashes-into-skier/
 
Not to mention the danger they pose to airplanes. It seems like they're still generally considered a toy, doesn't it?
 
Thanks-
 
-Susan
 
 

Susan G
Hi-
 
Is anyone else nervous about drones, especially with Christmas fast approaching and regulations being apparently very new and pretty light?
 
I can imagine a drone failing and crashing down on a highway in front of a car, similar to this one crashing down just behind a skier:
http://www.engadget.com/2015/12/22/drone-camera-almost-crashes-into-skier/
 
Not to mention the danger they pose to airplanes. It seems like they're still generally considered a toy, doesn't it?
 
Thanks-
 
-Susan
 
 

I MUST get with the times!  The first thing that came to mind were those continuous notes that many songs start with (or the one set of strings on a sitar)...
 
Oh well!
 
As for the actual topic, there are now many "no fly zones" made illegal specifically due to drones (I believe there's also a height limitation as well).

I have yet to see a drone anyplace other than on TV or in a Hobby shop .
There is a nice little park next to me where I would be pissed if any one was flying a drone anywhere s near me and my dog ... Everybody in the general area walks their dogs there . Also a lot of folks that are elderly walk around the park for exercise ..I sure hope I don't start seeing any drones there ...
A mile away there is a nice sized Wildlife Reserve with plenty of wide open space and fields  . It seems this place would be a very good place for somebody to fly a drone safely ....
I would probably enjoy watching a drone flight from a safe distance away....
 
Kenny
   

ampfixer
The Japanese have developed a law enforcement drone. It's essentially a big drone that carries a net to snag other drones. In America there's more guns than drones so it won't take long to shoot them all down.
 
There's a lot of good work people could do with them, particularly in agriculture, building inspection, search and rescue. I hope the puddin' heads don't mess it all up.

AND ... in some places that's legal since it would be considered invading one's privacy!
 
I'm running the next orgy outside ... for all the drones!

I wonder.....
 
How long will this thread drone on?
 
BadaBoom.

I don't see it as any different from R/C airplanes of yesteryear.  I do think this is funny, assuming the hawk wasn't injured:
 

 
 

There have already been deaths as a result of accidents with unmanned aircraft systems.
http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/09/05/remote-control-helicopter-kills-man-in-brooklyn/
 
These systems have been in use by hobbyists for decades and have been called radio controlled model planes until the practice of blowing up terrorists with armed versions popularized the term drone. Technically neither the radio controlled hobbyists weapon, not the usual terrorist killer are drones, since they are under the remote control of a human pilot. A drone is an autonomously navigating aircraft that does not need a pilot at all. 
 
Current regulations require that a pilot be at least 13 yo and require registration of the aircraft if it is over 0.55 pounds in weight and restrict it to an altitude of 400 feet. Drones weighing more than 55 pounds require special registrations. There is no requirement that the pilot have any training or competence and no license required to fly. If you are hit by a 54 pound drone falling from 399 feet operated by a 13 year old, that should make you feel much better. At least the responsible party will be identifiable by the official FAA registration on the wreckage. 
 
When automobiles were first released to the public, there was also no requirement that they be registered or the drivers certified either. When there got to be enough of them causing accidents, however, regulations seemed prudent.
 

OK, in all seriousness I am not concerned about drones. If they ever negatively affect me or my family then I may become concerned. Yeah, I'm lazy that way... but still that's my choice and probably no one can guilt me into feeling different.
 

I think sometimes we get focused on relatively small problems as a diversion from real issues. So many things are far more likely to hurt us. Worse case scenario still results in death by drone being less likely than being killed by lightning. Until figures check change it is among the least on the least of my worries list.

Maybe a little
 
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/26/first-state-legalizes-armed-drones-for-cops-thanks-to-a-lobbyist.html
 
Also, the ding dong that was at a protected wildlife park where you were supposed to stay on the trail to protect the fragile habitat, but he wanted a closeup of the water fall, launched his drone with built in camera, crashed it into the side of the hill, the scaled the fence, climbed up the steep incline to fetch his drone, and all the time chunks of moss and flora are cascading down below him.
 
Drones are tools in the hands of some, weapons in the hands of others, and dangerous toys in the hands of most.
 
Jesse Q. Screed

triple post

BobF
So you're multifrettable then? 

Hi Bob-
 
Yes. Yes, I am !
 
-Susan

bapu
I'm worried these drones may creep into my songs.

You have not heard enough Klaus Schulze ... the word drone would take a different meaning!