So I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how people are flying legally in cities. Is it all done wrong, or can some things just be enforced later if something goes wrong? Like in this video or the one with the drone crash. Someone posted about getting a LAANC authorization for a flight that crashed. Does that mean it’s okay to fly over people? But in the video, this guy is flying over the public and cars. Thought you couldn’t do that unless the people were in a vehicle or involved somehow.
I don’t know. Everything seemed fine until he started messing with the drone. There was hardly anyone on foot or in vehicles, and you’re technically flying over roads if you’re not just flying straight down them. But with no traffic, it probably doesn’t matter. The only thing that could be off is maybe he didn’t keep the drone in line of sight, and flying close to buildings is a gray area. But we’re doing that all the time in construction—though those buildings are unfinished.
I wish this forum would leave the drone policing to the authorities… Or change its name to /r/dronepolice.
You don’t know the full story. They might have the proper authorization.
Kiran said:
I wish this forum would leave the drone policing to the authorities… Or change its name to /r/dronepolice.
You don’t know the full story. They might have the proper authorization.
Wow… Did you read what I said? I’m not trying to police him. I’m just trying to learn how this can be done legally. I don’t know what happened. If he broke the law, that’s the answer and I’ll move on. Like you could’ve, but instead you chose to waste energy being unhelpful and acting like you’re superior just to comment.
@Blaine
I did read it. You should take your 107 class. There are ways you can fly over people, and you can get waivers for it.
Kiran said:
@Blaine
I did read it. You should take your 107 class. There are ways you can fly over people, and you can get waivers for it.
Helpful. Feeling better now?
Kiran said:
I wish this forum would leave the drone policing to the authorities… Or change its name to /r/dronepolice.
You don’t know the full story. They might have the proper authorization.
It would also fall under FAA regulations, but okay.
@Blaine
Exactly. Not some random forum. Are you with the FAA?
Kiran said:
@Blaine
Exactly. Not some random forum. Are you with the FAA?
If you’re trying to flex, keep it to yourself. You’re the one saying people are policing. I’m just here to learn. You’re just here acting smart when you could be helping instead.
Flying over people is fine as long as it’s part of what you’re doing. Like if you need to cross a street to reach a building you’re inspecting, it’s okay to fly over people and cars. But if you’re hovering over a crowd, like at a concert, that’s not allowed.
You fly very carefully and plan your routes so you’re not flying over roads or people while getting the shots you want. LAANC doesn’t allow you to fly over people. I don’t think LAANC authorization would be enough to allow this kind of flight, especially if there’s a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place.
@Day
So this guy is just doing everything wrong in the video? It looks safe until the drone almost crashes, but legally, is he messing up?
Blaine said:
@Day
So this guy is just doing everything wrong in the video? It looks safe until the drone almost crashes, but legally, is he messing up?
I can’t say for sure without more details. But there’s a general attitude where people just ignore the rules, which makes flying legally harder. I’ve worked with producers who expect me to take these kinds of risks after seeing videos like this.
Blaine said:
@Day
So this guy is just doing everything wrong in the video? It looks safe until the drone almost crashes, but legally, is he messing up?
You can get waivers to fly over people, especially if you’re working in a city. You can’t assume he’s breaking the law just because of the video. It’s not even obvious that he’s doing something wrong. You’re just making assumptions based on the footage, which is not fair.
@Vann
Did you miss the question mark? I wasn’t assuming anything. I just asked a question because of the other response. That’s part of learning, bud.
I like to think of the drone rules like traffic laws. If the speed limit is 55, it’s not a big deal if you’re going 60. Same with drones—flying at 200 feet and a jogger crosses under you? No one’s going to care. Just use common sense. If you’re flying over a road with little to no traffic, it’s not a huge issue. But flying over a busy road could cause a collision if the drone fell.
@Amari
Finally, someone with a reasonable take. If we followed every single rule exactly, this hobby wouldn’t be fun. You have to use common sense. I didn’t buy a drone to fly it only in my sight—I bought it to see things I can’t see from the ground. I wouldn’t fly beyond visual line of sight in a neighborhood, but who cares if you’re out in the woods?
Most of the footage was from an FPV drone, and he’s not going to have line of sight, but there was someone else with him. There was almost no traffic or people.
You can’t always follow the rules exactly. If we did, we’d all have to go to remote places like the Scottish Highlands to fly. I’m not going to drive that far just to fly a drone. As drone pilots, we have to be responsible, but following every rule to the letter is impossible unless you live on a farm or something.