UAVs along the US-Mexico border? How about your own back yard?

On Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:49:32 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote in ::

On Thu, 6 Apr 2006 17:43:28 -0700, "Peter Duniho"
wrote in
::

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/04/06...ch_survei.html

Just this week, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department began
using a drone called SkySeer for rescue operations and
tracking "persons of interest" during foot pursuits.


The BoingBoing crew are looking more at the privacy/civil-rights side of
things, but the issue is significant whatever your perspective.


My first response to this story is, "Hey, what do you know, the LA
Sheriff's Department is beginning to get as sophisticated as the
vigilanti group operating along the southern US border." :-)

On a more serious note:

Given:

While the drone's purpose may be serious, it looks a lot like a
radio-controlled hobby aircraft. Sam De La Torre and Victor
Torres, two of the drone's designers, told me they both grew up as
big RC buffs.

What does this mean?:

"We're not flying it anywhere we're not already allowed to fly a
helicopter," said Heal, ...

Does it mean the a Sheriff's Department helo escorts the SkySeer
through the NAS?

Surely the FAA doesn't condone the flight of RC model aircraft
wherever it permits the flight of helos.


Here's a followup from SkySeer's designer:

As the designer of this system, i can ashure that we stay within
the guidliines set by the FAA And AMA. keeping a distance of no
less than 3 miles from an airport and not exceading 400 feet AGL.
we normally fly at 250 AGL becouse of the limitations of the
onboard camera optics. plus at 250 the engine is about 98% mute.
the aircraft is capable of much higher altitudes as proven to date
only in controlled airspace over federal military bases.
the end user of the system will be given a one week training
course. one of the items given will be to identify the NO-FLY
zones within there juristictions or field of operation.
Although i am not an FAA certified airman i do on accasion step
into a full scale aircraft and the last thing i want to worry
about is having a collision with any object big or small.

Sam de la Torre/Chang ind inc

You can join the discussion he
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xeni/12...57594101050129


Here's what the FAA has to say:


http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/1acfc3f689769a56862569e70077c9cc/$FILE/ATTBJMAC/ac91-57.pdf
ADVISORY CIRCULAR AC 91-57
DATE June 9, 1981
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, D.C.

Subject: MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATING STANDARDS

1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular outlines, and encourages
voluntary compliance with, safety standards for model aircraft
operators.

2. BACKGROUND. Modelers, generally, are concerned about safety and
do exercise good judgement when flying model aircraft. However,
model.aircraft can at times pose a hazard to full-scale aircraft
in flight and to persons and property on the surface. Compliance
with the following standards will help reduce the potential for
that hazard and create a good neighbor environment with affected
communities and airspace users.

3 0 OPERATING STANDARDS.
a. Select an operating site that is of sufficient distance from
populated areas. The selected site should be away from noise
sensitive areas such as parks, schools, hospitals, churches, etc.

b. Do not operate model aircraft in the presence of spectators
until the aircraft is successfully flight tested and proven
airworthy.

c. Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the
surface. When flying aircraft within 3 miles of an airport,
notify the airport operator, or when an air traffic facility is
located at the airport, notify the control tower, or flight
service station.

d. Give right of way to, and avoid flying in the proximity of,
full-scale aircraft. Use observers to help if possible.

e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from any airport traffic
control concerning compliance with these standards.

R. J. VAN VUREN
Director, Air Traffic Service

Initiated by: AAT

I wonder how Mr. de la Torre addresses the issue raised in paragraph
3d?