The federal government will announce a new plan requiring anyone buying a drone to register the device with the U.S. Department of Transportation, NBC news has learned.
The government has been concerned about the rise in close calls between unmanned drones and aircraft flying into and out of some of the nation's biggest airports. The plan is expected to be announced Monday.
In July, there was a dangerously close encounter between a drone and a passenger jet with 159 people aboard setting up to land at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The unmanned aerial vehicle was just 100 feet away from the passenger jet at an altitude of 1,700 feet; normal safe separation distance is between aircraft is at least 1,000 feet.
Firefighting aircraft trying to attack the fast-moving blaze in the Cajon Pass had to leave the area for around 20 minutes over safety concerns, officials said. The fire swept over a busy freeway and torched 20 vehicles.
Under the plan, the government would work with the drone industry to set up a structure for registering the drones, and the regulations could be in place by Christmas.
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $1.9 million fine against Chicago drone company SkyPan, which was alleged to have flown dozens of unauthorized flights over Chicago and New York since 2012.
The unmanned aerial vehicle was just 100 feet away from the passenger jet at an altitude of 1,700 feet;
That is impressive! I did know they could go more than a few hundred feet high. I thought the communications systems on these were not more than a few hundred feet? Line of sight is what I was told.
I believe at this time its still much to do about nothing. Once febel government gets their nasty fingers on something its ruined beyond repair. All you have to do is look at SS and health care. They messed with health care and now it takes a weeks pay every month and when you do you use it it may still bankrupt a person with copay's just because febel government got involved!
I thought the communications systems on these were not more than a few hundred feet? Line of sight is what I was told.
Can't you see the moon at night?
Line of sight goes a very long ways when you are looking up.
I believe at this time its still much to do about nothing.
I don't. I see this as a VERY big deal that is going to do more than the internet to remove the last traces of privacy we used to enjoy. Your neighbors are going to spy on you,and so is the government.
If I had my way,there would be a federal law passed banning anyone,INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, from possessing a drone or any other form of aircraft that can perform like a drone.
The military would be the obvious exception,but even then the drone use should be restricted to the confines of a military reservation or for deployments to other countries.
If I had my way,there would be a federal law passed banning anyone,INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, from possessing a drone or any other form of aircraft that can perform like a drone.
Drones have a myriad of uses besides spying.
They are useful in searching for lost hikers and/or mountain climbers.
We use one where I work as a traffic/weather cam.
A lot of photographers use them for aerial photos - much easier and cheaper than chartering a plane or chopper.
Their usefulness is only as limited as your imagination.
It surprises me to hear you say "there oughta be a law" simply because sometimes they are misused.
As far as the federal government requiring them to be registered - they can FOAD.
They want these registered for when TSHTF they'll know where they all are.
Yeah, that's right - drones can also be used to ferret out enemy government positions and can also be armed and used as an offensive weapon.
It surprises me to hear you say "there oughta be a law" simply because sometimes they are misused.
As far as the federal government requiring them to be registered - they can FOAD.
No,I am saying that because of the CERTAINTY they will be misused.
You can bet your bippy that some of the photographers that find them "useful" will be perves checking to see if your wife or daughter are sunbathing nekkid in your fenced in back yard,and others will work for the city or county,and will be looking for cars with no tags,home improvements there are no building permits for,etc,etc,etc.
Truth to tell,I suspect the "neekid sunbather photos" are going to be used as an excuse by the government to ban ownership and operation of drones by private individuals,and then the government will be the only ones able to misuse them.
You can bet your bippy that some of the photographers that find them "useful" will be perves
Then deal with them when that happens.
A complete ban on drones is ridiculous.
It's the same argument the gun grabbers use.
...others will work for the city or county,and will be looking for cars with no tags,home improvements there are no building permits for,etc,etc,etc.
I have no doubt that is already happening in some areas.
Truth to tell,I suspect the "neekid sunbather photos" are going to be used as an excuse by the government to ban ownership and operation of drones by private individuals,and then the government will be the only ones able to misuse them.
Which is my original point - why would you want the government to be the only ones "allowed" to own and fly drones?
They are nothing but SPY MACHINES,used to violate your privacy.
Yes and No.
I understand your paranoia which I often share.
I've seen the utility of drones for other things - search and rescue, traffic reports, even saw something on TV where they could get life preservers out to struggling swimmers faster than life guards...etc.
I don't want one nor need one, but there are more positive uses for them...and the MSM will cram that angle down our throats...and ignore the intrusion/spying aspect of them.
Really? Has anyone ever used a drone to defend the country?
If you call using drones in Arab countries to kill innocent brown people "defending the country".
How about for self-defense or the defense of others?
My point is that they CAN be used for home self-defense. Why not use one to keep an eye on the perimeter of your property?
They are nothing but SPY MACHINES,used to violate your privacy.
As has been pointed out already, that is not their only use. I see your point here Pete - but banning ALL drones from private citizen use is not the answer.
At one time UPS was talking about using them to deliver packages, am not sure if that is still in the works or not. But you can see just as well as I can what can of worms that would open up when the bad guys start using them to deliver bombs instead of bras and panties...
