Question about the dreaded drone

20 kN wrote: Because I am sure the pilot would just leave it there. There is no chance the pilot might not be the type interested in involving the police and more interested in just knocking you on your ass or following you to your car and busting out all your windows since you destroyed his drone. Not everyone calls the cops to deal with their problems. I agree with the others, start by speaking to the owner and explaining why it's a problem. He might apologize and take his done elsewhere.

I was considering this would be while rock climbing and i don't think someone flying a drone would be able to climb up to where I was at. Thinking J-Tree which has some 2 pitch climbs where if I was sitting on the rock and a drone flew over near me I could take down without anyone being able to get to me.

Bill Kirby wrote: You guys must be scared of everything huh?

Respectfully disagree.

For most of us, it has nothing to do with fear. The drones are distracting and intrusive.

My only climbing experience with them so far has been while setting up a toprope. I was tethered, so no danger, but that thing came from nowhere and startled me.

What if that loud buzz suddenly appears as someone is pulling a crux or pumping out and trying to get a piece in? All of us accept natural hazards, but do we now have to steel ourselves for noisy, uninvited "aircraft" hanging over us?

Laws aside, I totally agree with those who want to destroy those drones. Go Dirty Harry on the fuckers.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2016/03/16/six-ways-to-disable-a-drone/

Jet ski defense? Would the climbing equivalent be throwing your rope at it?

You guys have it all wrong. You should throw rocks at the pilot

amarius wrote: Can't wait till some wannabe David misses the drone and smacks fellow climber on the noggin

Deep Bible cut there.

Drones at a popular crag where there are people trying to enjoy their day are lame. Those who defend the use of drones in these situations by using ridiculous comparisons and reasoning have no class or gauge on how to respect the people around them.

Hey guys!

Is it totally ok legal legit if someone parks their car in a loading zone or in front my driveway or how about in a spot I reaaaaally want... and then I take a sledgehammer to their hood? I mean... they were in the wrong first. So like... it's open season on car smashy right? Are they wrong or am I wrong or both?

Asking for a friend.

D B wrote: If that car puts you in imminent danger, you have the right to move it. Here's what an inexperienced drone pilot can do (GRAPHIC): i.imgur.com/ccSGj8W.jpg It's irresponsible as fuck to fly a drone near people without their prior consent.

Oof. Geez. That's rough.

D B wrote:It's irresponsible as fuck to fly a drone near people without their prior consent.

^ This. This is one of the biggies in the Part 107 regulations.

Smashing up a car, birds and snakes. These arguments are irrelevant.

Birds and snakes haven't been brought to the crag by someone and are not under a visiting persons control. They are an intrinsic aspect of the areas that we are fortunate enough to visit. We are visiting their homes.

Smashing a car because it's in a spot you want? I won't even go there. This is why I am saying, get some class.

As some people have stated, these things are not only annoying but can be dangerous on several fronts.

I wouldn't hesitate to Dirty Harry the fuck out o one.

D B wrote: If that car puts you in imminent danger, you have the right to move it.

You have the right to have the car towed if it's blocking you. You don't have the right to take a hammer to the hood or vandalize it or throw rocks at it. With a drone... same thing. You don't have the right to shoot a drone with a gun or throw rocks at it or attack the operator. I don't care what the drone is doing. If the pilot is actually trying to dive bomb you with the thing and physically harm you, that's another story. Accidents can and do happen with everything, including cars. Duh. But if someone accidentally hits your car with their car, you can't then get out and punch the guy in the face. That's called battery.

I've seen drones flying around at the crag before. Never a problem. Only a problem to people who look for reasons to lose their shit and get violent. If a drone is literally flying right over me... to the point where it seriously can pose a safety concern, then yeah I'll go find the operator and have a word with him. But I'm not gonna sit there and throw rocks at it. That is not a reasonable thing to do.

D B wrote:Well I guess if you make up arguments for me, you can argue back whatever you want. All I am saying is that it's irresponsible to fly a drone near people without their permission. And it's actually against FAA regulations. If an operator ignores requests to give you more space, or you can't see/hear them, it's fair game to take it down. faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/ne… "You can’t fly a small UAS over anyone who is not directly participating in the operation, not under a covered structure, or not inside a covered stationary vehicle."

Just an FYI, you're both arguing over rules that are for "non-hobbyist" drone use. 107 is for commercial operators, not recreational pilots so in most of the cases we're talking about, it doesn't apply.

That being said, I think all reasonable people agree that it's irresponsible to fly a drone near people without their permission.

Unfortunately to own a falcon requires a 2 year apprenticeship and all sorts of crazy licensing. So it's back to the drawing board on that one.

We may be going about this the wrong way as well. What about taking your own drone to the crag and if you see someone flying one around than bring out your own and fly it right next to the head of the pilot.

I would assume if you are floating one within 5ft of a person's head they will likely leave.

Whatever you end up doing. Report all the facts and pictures to the NPS. I know the NPS is still trying to figure out how to handle and enforce the drone thing. State you are concerned about your safety. It important the NPS knows about these events.

Ain't That Rich wrote:Is it totally ok legal legit if someone parks their car in a loading zone or in front my driveway or how about in a spot I reaaaaally want... and then I take a sledgehammer to their hood?

This:

youtube.com/watch?v=p79lKeQ…

I just want to know how many outtakes came from that scene. No way I could keep a straight face with those guys.

Is it OK if I get a pair of binoculars, rap down next to the route you're climbing, stare at you while screaming "WAAAAAAAAAA!" in your ear?

Some people deserve a beating.

Hate to say y'all, the feds are pretty uptight about "the act of firing at aircraft". In the 80's,a lawyer told me that the law would be enforced whether it was an eight year old with a slingshot or an adult with a rifle. Back then, the minimum sentence was one year and one day, which means state prison rather than county. Don't ask.

Given that a drone rotor blade can shear a life-line, a climber who destroys a drone might be able to argue, in court, that they were acting to counter an imminent threat to life & limb. I would not bet on that argument keeping a climber out of prison.

Seems like you'd be better off confronting the "pilot", if you can find them.

I hate to say it but, if you're dumb / naive enough to bring this intrusive device into a natural setting and buzz it around people without their consent, I'm thinking it'll be hard to have a constructive conversation with you.

If the pilot is near, sure it makes sense to try and talk about it. If they are out of sight, why should I go out of my way to find an inconsiderate, clueless asshole? Let it be taken down. We'll see if "the Feds" can figure out what happened.

last year in the gunks there were a few weeks when it seemed like drones were all over the place (probably an exaggeration). Then they were gone and I haven't seen one since. I know places like the gunks are loud, but on the wall they're often nearly silent.

Glad the flying fedoras are gone.

If you throw a rock and the rock and or drone land on someone you're going to be on the hook for that in civil court for sure.

Quit being a crochety old man and just let people film you. You'll be okay.