When Technology Outfronts Law

I am talking about the availability and sophistication of drones in this country. This is a two edge sword. There are drones being controlled by citizens and there are drones controlled by the government. The technology and use of drones is a problem on both sides the way I see it. Private citizens could use them for destructive means and the government can use them as another tool to look into our private lives. I see a serious battle in the wild blue skies. Again, the lawmakers are behind on this one.

Last week the Federal Aviation Administration announced how they would integrate drones into civilian airspace by 2015. One important question is… will these be lethal combat drones, or will they be helpful robotic vehicles to serve for the good of society or both? Whether we like it or not these aerial systems are here to stay. The FBI has already used them in the US a number of times without warrants. Some estimate unmanned aerial systems will be a $10 billion industry. So when this kind of money is involved and the fact that these systems can reach into your bedroom so come the legions of lawyers to establish legal precedents in federal, state and local courts. The way I see it, this debate has far reaching implications and too important for us to ignore.

I haven't followed the drone situation to closely but knowing how good cameras are it bothers me to think we could be watched even more than now. I never liked cameras at traffic lights or toll plazas so I surely don't like this. Now I can see some advantages like surveillance over Central Park, concerts, large events, military installations, utility companies and on and on. Technology is moving fast and we all love the stuff but this thought of more eyes in the sky just doesn't sit well with me.

I have put CCTV systems in parking structures and at some military bases and you would be amazed at what we can see. If you get a high res 30X magnification camera and use the joystick to zoom in or pan left and right at people you see stuff that people would be great for black mail....hahaha. Parking structures can show folks who just can't wait to get a Hotel room:eek: so they handle it right there in the car.

I hope this drone package delivery thing from Amazon.com takes off...

It'll be like skeet shooting...with prizes.

[QUOTE=MrSplitshot;525315]I hope this drone package delivery thing from Amazon.com takes off...

It'll be like skeet shooting...with prizes.[/QUOTE]

Man I really think I will be selling these on a commercial level before I retire. Especially since I work at federally funded projects.

[QUOTE=MrSplitshot;525315]I hope this drone package delivery thing from Amazon.com takes off...

It'll be like skeet shooting...with prizes.[/QUOTE]

You are as bad as Hurricane Bob LOL

I know that the ag industry sees some potential in drones to survey crops for insect,water, drought, disease damage etc.

I love flying the RC helicopters, powered by nitro fuel. I sold all my nitro stuff last year. now the helicopter have been replaced with, GPS operated Drones. with the old nitro powered hellies, if you took your fingers off the controls, it would crash. with the Drones with Gps, when you take your hand off the controls, it will hover right where you stopped controlling it. and if you fly it out of range of your controller, it don't crash like the old RC ones without GPS would do. it will fly it's self back to home base, where you started your flight from. when you first lifted off in flight it marks that spot as home base, using the GPS. the Drones are great little toys.

[QUOTE=waterdog101;525363]I love flying the RC helicopters, powered by nitro fuel. I sold all my nitro stuff last year. now the helicopter have been replaced with, GPS operated Drones. with the old nitro powered hellies, if you took your fingers off the controls, it would crash. with the Drones with Gps, when you take your hand off the controls, it will hover right where you stopped controlling it. and if you fly it out of range of your controller, it don't crash like the old RC ones without GPS would do. it will fly it's self back to home base, where you started your flight from. when you first lifted off in flight it marks that spot as home base, using the GPS. the Drones are great little toys.[/QUOTE]

They would be fun that's for sure. We would end up with "an app for that" for the smart phones.:)

[QUOTE=DJD;525365]They would be fun that's for sure. We would end up with "an app for that" for the smart phones.:)[/QUOTE] DJD, the drone I was talking about is already outdated, it has been upgraded with the vision Drone
, and it works with a smartphone app, you can use the iphone or another smartphone, to see realtime what the camera on the Drone is seeing. this way you can fly around buildings, or places where you can't see your Drone. but you can see where the Drone is going so you don't crash.

[QUOTE=waterdog101;525363]I love flying the RC helicopters, powered by nitro fuel. I sold all my nitro stuff last year. now the helicopter have been replaced with, GPS operated Drones. with the old nitro powered hellies, if you took your fingers off the controls, it would crash. with the Drones with Gps, when you take your hand off the controls, it will hover right where you stopped controlling it. and if you fly it out of range of your controller, it don't crash like the old RC ones without GPS would do. it will fly it's self back to home base, where you started your flight from. when you first lifted off in flight it marks that spot as home base, using the GPS. the Drones are great little toys.[/QUOTE]

See we have even more in common.

I have an attic full of aircraft. I never flew copters, but I have about 1/2 dozen RC aircraft.

Goldberg SuperChipmunk - 90
Goldberg Eagle II - 60cc
Goldberg SkyTiger - Called for 60 but I carbon fibered the spar, and sheeted the wing and went with 90
Goldberg PITTS - - 45 but put a 75 on it.

ARF - P51D - 60 put a 90 on it.
ARF - F4U Corsair. 60 put a 90 on it.

I also have 4-5 older Skyport 6 channel Futaba radios.

I have not flown in about 10 years though :(

Later,

Geo

Here you go