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FAA bars drone from delivering game ball to college football matchup
The Federal Aviation Administration has blocked plans for a small drone to deliver the game football for the University of Michigan kickoff Saturday against the University of Utah before a crowd of about 110,000 fans. (arstechnica.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
We've GOT to get the FAA out of this regime in what is rightfully a local issue. The FEDERAL AA has no business in this area. Local authorities are the only ones who need to regulate local flights of UAVs. Drones that fly cross-countries, fine, Indy do your worst. We've got to look at all aspects of government and figure out which LEVEL of government should govern it.
Why be so alarmist about it? How about having it fly in low and slow from one corner of the playing field, deliver the ball, then walk it out. That means not over the crowd or even the players if you map it out properly. The irrational fear of drunken males knocking it down can't happen. It took me 10 seconds to Google UM stadium image and see a solution. Even the FAA would approve.
Hmmm…let's take an RPV heavy enough to carry a 14 - 15 oz payload and fly it over a crowd of 110,00 seated shoulder-to-shoulder. Further, let's say a significant percentage of that crowd consists of alcohol-imbibing young males who might find it funny to throw stuff at said RPV to try and knock it out of the air. Hey, what could *possibly* go wrong? ;-)
If those drunks do something like that, they deserve what they get... If they get hurt as a result of an idiot.. sue the idiot.
Gads..
the quadcopter in the pic is not the one they intended to use, it's a stock photo. One who does not investigate the facts before publishing their opinion is the true idiot (probably a democrat)
The group that intended to fly in the ball asked the college for permission - they declined because they did not have the necessary info to be assured it was safe and their insurance policy did not cover it.
the group then went to the FAA who refused since again, the group did not provide evidence that it was safe.
Just imagine a quadcopter strong enough to life a football suddenly loosing control (it happens often) while over a stadium crowd. You'd have a 10 pound projectile let loose. The real idiots here are those who thought up the idea.
the FAA grants permits daily to operators who can demonstrate safety measures and financial responsibility in the event of unintended events.
The article as-written is full of assumptions that are incorrect.. even they didn't get the facts.
the vast majority of quads in existence now are toys operated by hobbyists. There have been rules in place that govern them (and other flying hobbyist machines) for decades. they have always banned commercial use, operating in the vicinity of crowds, and flying without financial responsibility. Anyone who fly's without that knowledge and preparation is ignorant and should themselves be grounded until they know what they are doing. Buying a toy from a hobby shop doesn't give them the right to endanger people.
the quadcopter in the pic is not the one they intended to use, it's a stock photo. One who does not investigate the facts before publishing their opinion is the true idiot (probably a democrat)
The group that intended to fly in the ball asked the college for permission - they declined because they did not have the necessary info to be assured it was safe and their insurance policy did not cover it.
the group then went to the FAA who refused since again, the group did not provide evidence that it was safe.
Just imagine a quadcopter strong enough to life a football suddenly loosing control (it happens often) while over a stadium crowd. You'd have a 10 pound projectile let loose. The real idiots here are those who thought up the idea.
the FAA grants permits daily to operators who can demonstrate safety measures and financial responsibility in the event of unintended events.
The article as-written is full of assumptions that are incorrect.. even they didn't get the facts.
the vast majority of quads in existence now are toys operated by hobbyists. There have been rules in place that govern them (and other flying hobbyist machines) for decades. they have always banned commercial use, operating in the vicinity of crowds, and flying without financial responsibility. Anyone who fly's without that knowledge and preparation is ignorant and should themselves be grounded until they know what they are doing. Buying a toy from a hobby shop doesn't give them the right to endanger people.
That Picture is not a Drone.. It is an RC Quad Copter... What a bunch of IDIOTS