Is it just me or do I feel law enforcement and news agencies think they can break all the UAS rules

The line of sight thing seems impractical to me, how are you supposed to visually keep track of a little white thing half a mile away?

If you aren't keeping within a few hundred feet I think it's a fiction and even if you can see it there no way to tell if that little white dot is about to hit something.

Laws, we don't need no stinkin' laws.

Everyone needs to know the laws to be able to point out obvious lies and BS that law enforcement and others pull on a daily basis.

They will use that to attest someone. It can not be used on court. They will lie about how they obtain their evidence or leads. The ole anyomous informer claim.

Dave Karoly, post: 439837, member: 94 wrote: The line of sight thing seems impractical to me, how are you supposed to visually keep track of a little white thing half a mile away?

If you aren't keeping within a few hundred feet I think it's a fiction and even if you can see it there no way to tell if that little white dot is about to hit something.

It may indeed be impractical, but it's in the rules.Spotters with radios and training can help.

I've often wondered about news producers and certain promotional companies. I would suspect that film companies are playing by the rules, and that law enforcement is more than likely playing by a completely different set of rules.

Probably flown by those same off duty state troopers I see driving to the barracks in the morning at 90 mph

Is line of sight with the naked eye or can you use binoculars?

Lee D, post: 439883, member: 7971 wrote: I've often wondered about news producers and certain promotional companies. I would suspect that film companies are playing by the rules, and that law enforcement is more than likely playing by a completely different set of rules.

Yes the rules of we are cops and we do what we want. FAA what's that?

Actually that's not quite what I meant.

Scott Ellis, post: 439892, member: 7154 wrote: Is line of sight with the naked eye or can you use binoculars?

This is from the Part 107 rules:

5.7.1 Unaided Vision. VLOS must be accomplished and maintained by unaided vision, except vision that is corrected by the use of eyeglasses (spectacles) or contact lenses. Vision aids, such as binoculars, may be used only momentarily to enhance situational awareness.

Scott Ellis, post: 439892, member: 7154 wrote: Is line of sight with the naked eye or can you use binoculars?

Unaided with exceptions for glasses and contacts..

In my area you can add Real Estate Agents and Contractors to the list.

Well hold on, isn't the night waiver in Part 107 for commercial use? I don't consider law enforcement "hobbyists" but they are definitely not commercial. Now, if they hired someone to fly, then there would be an issue.

I don't really agree with this methodology, but as the rules are written...

[SARCASM]Talk to the Baltimore MD police sometime. They obviously believe they can do what they want and when they want.[/SARCASM]

Seriously though, I don't know if it's been on the news elsewhere, but the Baltimore MD cops have been caught at least twice on their new body cams planting evidence.

My son is a Lieutenant with a local law enforcement agency. They have and fly their DJI equipped with a DJI Zenmuse XT anywhere they want including airports. When near an airport ATC is contacted prior to flight.

If there is a emergency situation, I have no problem with police or other similar agencies using drones.

Be it a missing person/s or child involving local search and rescue team...or a immediate threat to the community by a violent criminal.

After all, not every agency has access to helicopters or other aerial means.

Also here, when there is a fatal accident on an Interstate. Traffic could be suspended for hours while the accident investigation team does it thing.

People can be literally trapped for hours in their cars until the investigation is completed.

Flooding evacuations and rescues are aided by UAVs too.

If a drone capture could reduce that time significantly then I have no problem.

Robert Hill, post: 439931, member: 378 wrote: If there is a emergency situation, I have no problem with police or other similar agencies using drones.

Then let's put that in the rules, and follow the amended rules. Police should not be above the law.

Bill93, post: 439944, member: 87 wrote: Then let's put that in the rules, and follow the amended rules. Police should not be above the law.

I disagree. Law Enforcement should be able to use whatever method available to apprehend suspects including drones. Sans rules for the private sector. 🙂

FL/GA PLS., post: 439957, member: 379 wrote: I disagree. Law Enforcement should be able to use whatever method available to apprehend suspects including drones. Sans rules for the private sector. 🙂

Government entities or organizations (e.g. law enforcement agencies, public universities, state governments, local municipalities) have 2 options for flying UAS:

1. Fly under the https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/fly_for_work_business/&apos ;">small UAS rule ƒ?? follow all rules under 14 CFR part 107, including aircraft and pilot requirements
   OR
2. Obtain a blanket public Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) ƒ?? permits nationwide flights in Class G airspace at or below 400 feet, self-certification of the UAS pilot, and the option to obtain emergency COAs (e-COAs) under special circumstances

How many agencies actually comply with the above? Good question.
I'd like to believe that Law Enforcement Agencies are savvy enough to know that their aircraft, flown inappropriately, could as easily bring down the local hospital's air ambulance as a hobbist's drone could.

rfc, post: 439979, member: 8882 wrote:
How many agencies actually comply with the above? Good question.

I did however do a nationwide search of Public COA's using the search term "sheriff", and got a whopping 8 hits, so it's likely that many local police departments are not complying.