4 ms·

Interesting idea although there are a lot of technical issues that would make what you describe more challenging. A simpler approach is positive enforcement. Fo

Interesting idea although there are a lot of technical issues that would make what you describe more challenging. A simpler approach is positive enforcement. Force manufacturers to hard code drones to not fly near airports or other restricted areas and not fly above 200 ft. Model aircraft have existed for a long time and there's been a good relationship with the FAA and few incidents. The challenge is that technology has advanced to the point that these modern "drones" are almost too easy to fly. Any idiot can watch some YouTube videos and then they think they're a pilot. Given that, to the extent possible the aviation regulations should be enforced at the device level to make these things as idiot proof in terms of busting airspace regs as they are idiot proof to fly.

venomsnake 11y ago
> Force manufacturers to hard code drones to not fly near airports or other restricted areas and not fly above 200 ft. A drone is one of the few things that can be smuggled by themselves. Both US-Mexico and US-Canada borders are wide.
- dsfyu404ed 11y ago
  >A drone is one of the few things that can smuggle itself. Both US-Mexico and US-Canada borders are wide. Fixed that for you.
threeseed 11y ago
And if they add new airports or classified areas ? It also doesn't solve the problem of drones being active near emergency situations.
- swingbridge 11y ago
  "Real" airplanes have the same issue. That's why all the charts and databases are updated frequently and pilots are responsible for ensuring the latest data is available and loaded into the onboard computers. On a typical small general aviation airplane that typically involves uodating the electronic flight bag app on your iPad and popping a new memory card into the on board navigation computer. Other short term updates (like firefighting flight restrictions) are reviewed by the pilots on official FAA endorsed websites or by calling a flight service center (like customer support for pilots) before each flight. One of the most basic elements of the required preflight planning for any flight of a "real" airplane is to do all the above to make sure you have the latest data and know about any temporary restrictions. There's no reason why drone pilots couldn't or shouldn't be required to perform a simplified version of the above before flight (if you want to do anything other than flying the thing under the treeline in your own backyard).
neurotech1 11y ago
I thought the DJI Phantom quadcopters do have firmware lockout for certain restricted areas. Most RC flying clubs are committed to being good neighbors and not conflicting with other aircraft. Part of the issue is that Helicopters do fly quite low, well away from airports, and the DJI Phantom can be flown high enough to be a concern. Another part of these new regulations is identifying the RPV so that appropriate enforcement or education can occur. Some people have suggested that DJI Phantom and other RPVs are shipped in "idiot" mode with tight restrictions. Once an operator can show responsible operation, then switch to a less restrictive mode.
blincoln 11y ago
A "drone region lockout" bypass (using spoofed GPS signals) was showcased by a team at Def Con this year. They showed video of their drone taking off inside restricted airspace in Beijing. In other words, if someone wants to deliberately break the rules, they're going to find a way. I guess it would still prevent accidental airspace violation. My main concern is that the definition of "restricted airspace" is likely to increase if this becomes a standard. E.g. the National Park Service would probably lobby to have all of their airspace included, even though it's a nuisance to some people in national parks instead of a safety concern.

venomsnake 11y ago

> Force manufacturers to hard code drones to not fly near airports or other restricted areas and not fly above 200 ft. A drone is one of the few things that can be smuggled by themselves. Both US-Mexico and US-Canada borders are wide.

dsfyu404ed 11y ago
>A drone is one of the few things that can smuggle itself. Both US-Mexico and US-Canada borders are wide. Fixed that for you.

threeseed 11y ago

And if they add new airports or classified areas ? It also doesn't solve the problem of drones being active near emergency situations.

swingbridge 11y ago
"Real" airplanes have the same issue. That's why all the charts and databases are updated frequently and pilots are responsible for ensuring the latest data is available and loaded into the onboard computers. On a typical small general aviation airplane that typically involves uodating the electronic flight bag app on your iPad and popping a new memory card into the on board navigation computer. Other short term updates (like firefighting flight restrictions) are reviewed by the pilots on official FAA endorsed websites or by calling a flight service center (like customer support for pilots) before each flight. One of the most basic elements of the required preflight planning for any flight of a "real" airplane is to do all the above to make sure you have the latest data and know about any temporary restrictions. There's no reason why drone pilots couldn't or shouldn't be required to perform a simplified version of the above before flight (if you want to do anything other than flying the thing under the treeline in your own backyard).

neurotech1 11y ago

I thought the DJI Phantom quadcopters do have firmware lockout for certain restricted areas. Most RC flying clubs are committed to being good neighbors and not conflicting with other aircraft. Part of the issue is that Helicopters do fly quite low, well away from airports, and the DJI Phantom can be flown high enough to be a concern. Another part of these new regulations is identifying the RPV so that appropriate enforcement or education can occur. Some people have suggested that DJI Phantom and other RPVs are shipped in "idiot" mode with tight restrictions. Once an operator can show responsible operation, then switch to a less restrictive mode.

blincoln 11y ago

A "drone region lockout" bypass (using spoofed GPS signals) was showcased by a team at Def Con this year. They showed video of their drone taking off inside restricted airspace in Beijing. In other words, if someone wants to deliberately break the rules, they're going to find a way. I guess it would still prevent accidental airspace violation. My main concern is that the definition of "restricted airspace" is likely to increase if this becomes a standard. E.g. the National Park Service would probably lobby to have all of their airspace included, even though it's a nuisance to some people in national parks instead of a safety concern.