Thread: Some nice pics from drones

It seems drones are the flavour of the month at the moment. A new magazine has been launched (if you'll pardon the pun)

Drone Magazine to launch in May - AdNews

Love these new toys!

You need some type of licence with these don't you? Not any old hack can get one and buzz them around is my understanding.

I'm in two minds regarding their use, yes the images are impressive, and have wondered how some of the placed I have visited would look different from the sky. Make great video instead of just stills.
On the other hand I don't want my camping at somewhere like Fraser for instance been buzzed by a giant mosquito, or do the same to others. Bit like music in that sense. And I'd hate to think if someone had it in for someone how they could easily stalk a private house or business from several kilometres away.

I have heard NP's are using them to scope/monitor legal or illegal activities here and there but have seen no evidence.

In general ( I am not a certified operator)
If you are flying an aircraft outside of line of sight, you are required to have a Operators certificate, effectively a limited pilots licence. There is a UAV school doing good business in the Lockyer valley!
In sight: Not over people or anything you can damage if it drops from the sky.
Not interfere with emergency operations
Keep under the Aviation 'floor' of the area of operations (400ft AGL or outside an exclusion zone)
Not over private property
CASA, unlike other Aviation authorities around the world, are a bit ahead with regs for UAVs. They call them RPAs. Knock yourself out:
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

We have looked at using UAVs for rapid roof damage assessment locally in the SES. I came up against the 'Invasion of privacy' issue. Funny, when I am standing on the roof, I can see much more than the limited field of view from a UAV camera.

If you are using for profit etc you also need a license.
Unfortunately SES/RFS/CFA etc are considered commercial operators by CASA and will also need the operator license to utilise.

Martyn

Privacy and UAS/RPA is under review. In Australia we do not have an automatic right to privacy in a 'Public' place. With the exception of where a normal person given the circumstances would expect privacy I.e. A public toilet, change room ect.
IF....I am a non commercial operator at the moment I can chuck one up and assuming I fly within CASAs rules ie maintain visual control under 1000' I can pretty much shoot what I like given some exceptions.
The issues are that should I have a camera on a street corner and I don't step on your property you can ask me not to take your picture or simply go inside your home (you must close your curtains as I can still take your picture as long as I don't step on your property) with an RPA you may not know I'm there (one of the exceptions I mentioned) or if you do you may not know who is operating it so can't ask I stop.
My gut feeling is everybody who has bought one in the last few years as a hobby flyer,(and I'd love one!) is going to find them illegal soon if they don't get an operating licence and that will be expensive.
I think that as out doors people they offer a great extension to our photos/home movies. But because everybody thinks someone wants to invade they privacy it is becoming an issue. 99.99% of users will only want the enhanced holiday footage. Nolans creek, Fraser Island air shots. But 1 or 2 will want something more sinister and they are the ones legislation is written for.

Originally Posted by landy

I think that as out doors people they offer a great extension to our photos/home movies. But because everybody thinks someone wants to invade they privacy it is becoming an issue. 99.99% of users will only want the enhanced holiday footage. Nolans creek, Fraser Island air shots. But 1 or 2 will want something more sinister and they are the ones legislation is written for.

So once again the majority are punished for the evils of a small minority, or even the perceived evils.

Jeff

Have you seen the Lily camera - amazing technology

https://www.lily.camera


Ive got a Walkera QR X350 Pro, I consider myself a (once) skilled Radio Control pilot, experimenting in 3D Hoverbatics and VTOL before GPS / gyros and autopilots were commonplace ,

But Ive still crashed the Drone a number of times and its on its 3rd body shell now. They are bloody dangerous - even if you know how to fly. The last time it cut out dead and dropped 100 feet to the ground - upside down - like a dead spider. Could quite easily cause major injury.


That said they are a remarkable platform for travel photography.
(still yet to find Lasseters reef tho)

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjs2ZOM1yZM[/ame]