Will they be able to jail drone pilot Paul Huebl now?   Phoenix, AZ —Two members of the City Council here are proposing an anti-drone ordinance that will make a criminal out of anyone using a drone within the city. Let me disclose that I own and operate two camera drones like the one above and plan to use them in pursuit if gathering images and video for news.  The proposed law requires that “written permission” be obtained in advance from anyone that might be photographed by a drone.   That would for example include some gardener mowing grass who might be photographed whether he is readily identifiable or not.   They are not talking about just close up pictures but any picture. There is plenty of existing law that protects people’s privacy where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy.   That is inside a home or structure of some type.   That’s why millions of ordinary surveillance cameras are everywhere in America today. ...

The FAA has arbitrarily ruled that “commercial” use of drones or unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV’s) is prohibited.  The use of these amazing devices by hobbyists of course is perfectly legal until a UAV pilot earns a single dime.  Then the FAA will investigate and fine the offending party $10,000.00.  Of course the accused pilot has a right to a court hearing on the matter and evidence must be presented.  The pilot can then properly challenge whatever evidence the FAA offers up. So far the FAA’s only known case against a UAV photographer/pilot ever to see a courtroom failed.  On or about October 17, 2011 Raphael Pirker of Zurich, Switzerland was commercially operating his UAV over the University of Virginia . He was paid to gather video by a communications company. Pirker was also accused of flying the UAV at extremely low altitudes.  The FAA claimed he operated his drone recklessly.  Accordingly the FAA issued a civil penalty of $10,000....