elk stampede-drone

[kjack_74]

Did anyone consider that this guy might have not intended to harass the elk and maybe he was just trying to get a cool aerial shot of the herd? It's unfortunate that the animals had extra stress at this time of year but how long did it take the herd to walk the half mile back to the hay pile? All I'm saying is that I can see where a person who doesn't know better could use poor judgement here. Obviously, whoever issued the fine went pretty easy on the guy and didn't think it was a real big deal.

But what the hell do I know? They should probably just hang his ass.

Intent doesn't change things, I'm fairly certain drunk drivers don't intend anything bad to happen. We all make choices whether they are informed or not what matters isn't our intent behind those choices just the outcome, I'm fine with being lenient to an extent but I'm all for consequences to actions ... You know unless it's me.

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[kjack_74]

Also I will say this I am completely ignorant on this topic and know nothing about drones and in general not a fan of extra government involvement but perhaps for something like drones that can effect a whole host of things (aircraft, elk herds, some guy sleeping in the park) but perhaps some kind of permit or endorcement should be required to fly one sorta like a pilot's license only not as extensive ... Seems like it would weed out the complete idiots and help inform and regulate where and how they are used. But again I know nothing about this world so maybe that already exist or is a completely ridiculous suggestion

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[freebird134]

perhaps some kind of permit or endorcement should be required to fly one sorta like a pilot's license only not as extensive

You are required to register your drone and supposedly be aware of rules and regulations. Interestingly, for us researchers, until last August we literally had to have a small aircraft pilot license. Now there is a UAS licensed scientists can get.

There are some previous cases of drones (yes, technically UAS--unmanned aerial systems) having direct effects on wildlife. There's a great published study showing the effects of a drone flying by on bears -- they don't behaviorally respond, but have elevated heart rates that suggest stress.



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[kjack_74]

You are required to register your drone and supposedly be aware of rules and regulations. Interestingly, for us researchers, until last August we literally had to have a small aircraft pilot license. Now there is a UAS licensed scientists can get.

There are some previous cases of drones (yes, technically UAS--unmanned aerial systems) having direct effects on wildlife. There's a great published study showing the effects of a drone flying by on bears -- they don't behaviorally respond, but have elevated heart rates that suggest stress.



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Yes in my line of work we also had to have a pilot's license to use them as well which I was fine with, I prefer to monitor "hands on" on the ground but their use for remote sensing and habitat mapping is useful and interesting.

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[COlineman78]

perhaps for something like drones that can effect a whole host of things (aircraft, elk herds, some guy sleeping in the park) but perhaps some kind of permit or endorcement should be required to fly one sorta like a pilot's license only not as extensive ...

There is a permit needed for flight of even some remote control model planes. IIRC there are several restrictions including a weight limit before you are required to need a license (I believe it was 3lbs or something like that). Also, there are line of sight restrictions and a ceiling of 200 or 500 feet depending on what you are doing (again IIRC; it's been almost 10 years since I had to know the regs). In college we were building our own experimental remote control aircraft from scratch using interesting wing designs and composites and we had to have a licensed pilot. Airspace under 500ft above the ground or tallest man-made structure is technically owned by the landowner, so aircraft should not be flying that low anyway (even if it's public land).

Also, a camera is no substitute for visual contact in the eyes of the FAA, so when we were looking into building a true 'drone' with full autonomy we were going to have to get an FAA waiver and they were going to have to create a no-fly zone for miles around our experiment.