Drones coming to a neighborhood near you, says FAA

[wirednuts]

http://news.msn.com/politics/experts-to-senate-drones-will-require-new-privacy-laws

The Federal Aviation Administration recently predicted about 7,500 civilian drones will be in use within five years after the agency grants them greater access to U.S. skies. Congress has directed the FAA to provide drones with widespread access to domestic airspace by 2015, but the agency is behind in its development of safety regulations and isn't expected to meet that deadline.

Initially, most civilian drones are expected to be around the size of backpack or smaller, weighing less than 55 pounds and unable to fly higher than most birds.

"I am convinced that the domestic use of drones to conduct surveillance and collect other information will have a broad and significant impact on the everyday lives of millions of Americans going forward," said the committee's chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

I think there is about to be a huge industry in replacing all of these "green efficient" windows we just got with one-way viewing panels.

it will be nice too, because once authority can watch you right in your home at all times, whats the need for jail? its just easier this way.

 

[NoStateofMind]

"personal airspace" laws needed? Like above a homeowners dwelling? <shrug>

 

[wirednuts]

"personal airspace" laws needed? Like above a homeowners dwelling? <shrug>

exactly. they already can scan neighborhoods with infrared cameras... now they'll just be able to look right inside everyones house.

like I was saying, find the company who has the patents on the cheapest optical blind technology. either one-way mirrors or lcd glass that just lets light through where you want it.

come to think of it, 50" lcd's are so cheap these days I could probably just sandwich the panels between some other glass and make entry doors and windows with them. make an android app to change the pattern of the window... or just total blackout if the cops are knocking

 

[Rifter]

Good thing i know some good tint guys, i can see the window tinting industry taking off huge if this really does happen.

 

[Rifter]

hey i have a question, how much airspace above your dwelling is yours? for example if its only 50 feet off the ground a few feet above your house you can shoot it down right?

 

[wirednuts]

they will be automated, so they will just hover right above the level they are allowed to. and if that isn't close enough, im sure the laws will be adjusted accordingly.

my next worry is google earth going live streaming...

 

[Rifter]

they will be automated, so they will just hover right above the level they are allowed to. and if that isn't close enough, im sure the laws will be adjusted accordingly.

my next worry is google earth going live streaming...

automation isnt perfect, neither are altimiters when there is very uneven terrian below them(such as houses)

Im just curious if they do invade your airspare they should be fair game to be shot down. Which is why i was curious how much airspace above you house is considered yours.

 

[skyking]

I don't know about all that, but I do know I can set my lawn sprinkler up like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4gFqmVgQFg&feature=player_detailpage#t=478s

 

[OverVolt]

I don't know about all that, but I do know I can set my lawn sprinkler up like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4gFqmVgQFg&feature=player_detailpage#t=478s

Yea thats not even close to the height required, nice try!

 

[skyking]

That cannon went 150 feet. Most drones will be no higher than 200 or so.
Get them up above 500', and they pose a problem to light aircraft. No way for a drone operator to 'see and avoid' from his ground position.

 

[sunzt]

"personal airspace" laws needed? Like above a homeowners dwelling? <shrug>

socialist!!!! Let the free market decide what airspace you need.

 

[NoStateofMind]

socialist!!!! Let the free market decide what airspace you need.

I'm confused. What is your point?

 

[irishScott]

Lol, I have to admit it would be satisfying to take an M1A and knock a drone out of the sky.

Wouldn't be worth the consequences obviously, but it would be fun for a few seconds.

 

[skyking]

That's why I thought the water cannon would be fun. Way more sporting, and no stray rounds downrange.

 

[irishScott]

That's why I thought the water cannon would be fun. Way more sporting, and no stray rounds downrange.

Even better, set up a short-range, concealed jamming station. Just make sure it's cheap enough to dispose of before whatever civil authority comes knocking.

 

[irishScott]

Or, for a really hardcore project, modify a small model rocket into a guided missile! The possibilities are endless!

"Sir, the drone's saying we're being painted."

"Painted?!"

"Yeah, this is a stripped down military model, so it still has that sensor installed."

"We're flying over fucking suburbia."

"Well, that's what it's saying, maybe it's a gli... now it's detected missile launch!"

"WHAT?!!"

*feed goes black*

"Sir, I think our drone was just shot down over Frying Pan Park in Fairfax County Virginia."

 

[wirednuts]

ok I agree with you guys now. If they are building a drone army to spy on us, we need to start making our own domestic patriot system. We wont be able to tell what drones are friendly google ones just trying to push more directed ads, and which ones are commy bastards trying to kill us.

anyway, raspberry pi's are plentiful now. fix a webcam on it, and use those new 3x capacity li-ions coming out. make sure it still plays mp3's too, because we have to have the song "god bless America" playing when we fire the rockets

 

[hal2kilo]

Debate on this subject in our state legislature was quickly shot down by phone calls from Boeing. (They make drones, employee a lot of people here).

So much for principles.

 

[exdeath]

Cool, I have a reason to build a working rail gun now.

 

[cirrrocco]

republican mode on

if you have nothing to hide why worry about drones. the govt is doing it for our protection.

republican mode off

 

[Vic Vega]

republican mode on

if you have nothing to hide why worry about drones. the govt is doing it for our protection.

republican mode off

Are you really that stupid?

 

[OverVolt]

I thought they flew at 1,500 feet or more.

 

[skyking]

not those little helicopter ones

 

[OverVolt]

If its military drones, then its the big real ones. No one cares about the little helicopter ones

 

[wirednuts]

they are talking about the ones the size of backpacks that are nearly silent and hover about 100ft or less off the ground. you wont really see them, but they will be watching you.