The Arbitrary and Capricious FAA and its Tyranny Against Newsgathering Efforts. Check out this terrific video!
Mayflower, AK—April 27, 2014, tragedy struck the heartland
in the form of springtime tornados. It
was not really safe to send up a helicopter and crew to survey the damage. Emergency vehicles found roads impassable and
were unable to locate victims needing assistance.
One drone video journalist sent up his camera high above the
scene. The stunning video he captured
was a real public service. First
responders could see areas where help was needed. The local residents lucky enough to have
escaped the wrath of the storms could see if they still had homes and the extent
of damage.
During these emergencies looting becomes a concern and understandably police limit entry to these areas significantly. Using the camera drones homeowners can see just how their precious homes survived or did not without waiting for police escorts that can take days.
The FAA tried to take jurisdiction over these little drones
that use the tiny HD GoPro cameras. They
decreed that any commercial use would bring their investigators and $10,000.00
fines would follow. They went after one newsgathering operator and punitively fined him. A
federal judge in Denver recently struck the FAA’s overreaching regulation reversing the fine. The FAA appealed and the matter is before the Appellate Court waiting for a resolution.
In any event the FAA will try to exercise some authority
over these devices but we must expect and demand some sort of reasonableness. They don’t have any of the manpower needed to
regulate millions of these toys that are being built by hobbyists or sold by
hobby shops. The devices themselves
because of their small size are invisible to radar.
Most importantly when the little drones have mishaps nobody
is injured nor is there any property damage to show when that happens.
When there are earthquakes, wildfires, floods and such the
only way to survey the damage or discover people needing rescue is from the
air. There are not enough helicopters
and flying during threatening weather like the Mayflower is safe as the video shown below demonstrates. The camera drones can provide a huge public service.
Comments
One of the overarching problems with government is that it is impossible to predict the future or react with clarity to a disaster. People who have worked in government know this, but the left-wing, liberal crowd, most of whom have never been in government, believe spending more money and performing more training exercises will prepare for anything (Local TV news loves this stuff). Absolutely impossible.
And yes. The FAA is merely trying to increase their influence/funding.