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Drone at the Gunks Sunday Feb 28th

Original Post
J.R. Berry · · SCL utahl · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 5

Any one know who was flying a drone around at the Gunks sunday morning around 9am ... I think they got footage of me leading up Hight E for my first time and I would love to see it !!!!

MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66
J.R. Berry wrote:Any one know who was flying a drone around at the Gunks sunday morning around 9am ... I think they got footage of me leading up Hight E for my first time and I would love to see it !!!!
Assuming they were permitted, you could try to find contact info from the preserve (e-mail address below). If not, and for any others thinking of bringing a drone, note the preserve's policy

Mohonk Preserve Policy on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems/Drones

Mohonk Preserve prohibits the use of unmanned aerial systems (otherwise known as unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, radio-controlled model airplanes and/ or any other equipment of this type) on or above its property unless it is approved through our permit application process. This policy supports our commitment to the protection of wildlife (specifically in this context, birds of all species), the safety and well-being of our visitors, as well as their personal experiences in nature. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any and all use of drones for purposes such as aerial photography, videography and entertainment/recreational use.

Mohonk Preserve will accept applications for the operation of unmanned aerial systems for purposes such as scientific research, mapping, authorized photo/film shoots, or other Preserve-related projects only. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If approved, Mohonk Preserve will issue a limited permit for the use of unmanned aerial systems for the specific project and time period for which the application was submitted.

Click here to view and print the application.

The completed form shall be returned to: Jon Ross, Associate Director of Visitor Services, at jross@mohonkpreserve.org.
Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

was not psyched about it doing flybys while I led modern times.

Brett Bergeron · · Portland, OR · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 1

the rumor on facebook is that it crashed into some trees :P

Pnelson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 635

Hey, does anyone have one of these things?

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Pnelson wrote:Hey, does anyone have one of these things?
Nope, but I'm pretty sure a Peregrine's impact at 200MPH will do the same to the drone as it does to its usual prey. ;-)
coldatom · · Cambridge, MA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 70

Can we train the falcons to go after the pilots?

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70

Unless NY has more restrictive regulations (was too lazy to google), I believe it remains an open question at which height a drone may fly above private property without trespassing.

IIRC the Feds own 500 feet and up, and at least one court has ruled the private property owners own the first ~80 feet of air. That case may have no relevance in NY tho.

Depending on the height, the drone may have been legal assuming the operator was standing outside the preserve. Perhaps someone with more free time at the moment can find a NY case or reg.

Allen Sanderson · · On the road to perdition · Joined Jul 2007 · Points: 1,203

Drones < 400 feet

faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70

Those are guidelines that you are "strongly encouraged" to follow, FAA regs start at 500 ft. IIRC.

RockinOut · · NY, NY · Joined May 2010 · Points: 100

Can you hear the drone over the leaf blowers on the carriage road and the traffic on 55/44? Between the motorcycles and jake brakes of trucks I don't think you'd hear a drone unless it was on you...or are those the black flies?

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70

Or the terrified screams of "ROCK!"

Because who doesn't expect tranquility when they visit the gunks.

Jake D. · · Northeast · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 365
john2.71 wrote:Without drone photos, how will anyone find the start of High E??
follow the cow bells
grubbers · · West Shore · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 0

Speaking of drones, did anyone catch that plane that buzzed the cliff yesterday?

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70

yeah, totally killed my buzz when I was leading modern times.

I can only send at the gunks in pure silence and communion with nature.

Eric Engberg · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 0
Bill Healey IV wrote:Yep, that was me with the drone. And yes, I did hit a tree. Drone is fine though, just go super windy later on in the afternoon. I do agree with a lot of posters on here, the drone noise does really kill the vibe of climbing. I'm sorry if I ruined your climb! But I only ran it for ~20 minutes. And I got some great footage of you on High E! Shoot me a PM and I can get you the footage over the next couple of days.
So did you obtain permission from the Preserve?
Jesse Marks · · Denver, CO · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 330

So dumb question. what is the risk of these things crashing and chopping a rope? I've never climbed near one, but are they getting close enough to you that that is a risk...? I did actually google this but didn't find much discussion, which suggests nothing like that has happened... yet.

I did find this, though, which was pretty funny: youtube.com/watch?v=xVaJKON…

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616

I don't think the blades on these smaller models can cut a climbing rope. Drones are VERY light and it takes all 4 blades to keep them in the air. The blades IIRC (friend owns one) are made of light plastic.

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
coldatom wrote:Can we train the falcons to go after the pilots?
They already do if you get too close to the nest.
sheindl Heindl · · Rochester, NY · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 30
Lex Bally · · Decatur, GA · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 135
JRM89 wrote:So dumb question. what is the risk of these things crashing and chopping a rope? I've never climbed near one, but are they getting close enough to you that that is a risk...?
There's surprisingly little power in the rotors. Professional quality drones weight less than 2.5 pounds, so it doesn't take much to keep them in the air. You can stop the rotors just by putting your fingers in them. It might hurt a little (about the equivalent of flicking it with a rubber band), but wouldn't even break skin. There's virtually no chance it would be able to cut a rope. Plus most of the higher quality drones have LiDAR or some equivalent to actively avoid collisions. Honestly, the operator is probably too deathly afraid of losing his $800 investment to risk flying it close to anything solid anyways.

That said, the downwash of air underneath one of these things can be brutal/annoying, plus I'm personally not a huge fan of people taking my photo without my permission.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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