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OT: FAA, GPS, and Drones Posted by MI-Roger [Email] (#882) [Profile/Gallery] (more from MI-Roger) on Sat, 29 Oct 2016 05:25:18 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
If you are considering buying a drone as a Christmas gift for yourself or someone else, and think the large open areas near your home will be a perfect fly zone, first check that there isn't some obscured (or obvious) feature in these areas which has resulted in all GPS signals being disabled by the FAA.
I witnessed a drone display at work about 18 months ago. The intent was to demonstrate their capability in performing close inspection of natural draft cooling tower shells. What the contractor learned then was that the wind shear, gusts, and downdrafts associated with the particular structures made the technology of the time insufficient. Re-rod in the reinforced concrete also was a problem for the GPS.
FWIW, this contractor uses a licensed commercial pilot to operate the drone with a licensed aircraft observer working as the spotter.
Yesterday the same contractor was back with an improved bird. This same contractor also had a 600 ton Manitowoc crane with 540 feet of boom & jib working at the adjacent tower. The crane was hoisting an elevated work basket carrying two workers who were replacing the incandescent aircraft obstruction lights with LED fixtures. This made a great side-by-side comparison of the two techniques available, illustrating the speed and safety improvements of using drones.
Imagine everyone's surprise when the drone would repeatedly set itself back to the ground after obtaining only 20 feet or so of altitude!
Quick research revealed the FAA has classified the entire site as Nuclear Space (it is a Nuclear power plant) and all devices (drones) attempting to access GPS coordinates to fly in this space are disabled.
So, if you are considering buying a drone as a Christmas gift for yourself or someone else, and think the large open areas near your home will be a perfect fly zone, first check that there isn't some feature in these areas which has resulted in all GPS signals being disabled.
->Posting last edited on Sat, 29 Oct 2016 05:33:13.
_______________________________________ Saabs owned: 2008 9-5 Aero Sedan, sold at 227K miles 2006 9-3SC 2.0T - Wife's daily driver 2000 Viggen Convertible - Sold May, 2022 1964 Quantum IV Formula Car - Retirement project 2000 9-5lpt Sedan, sold at 318K miles
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