Police Chief vows to deploy an unmanned aerial vehicle despite contentions

Some friends and I used to build battle robots for TV shows (I built Rosie
the Riveter for Robot Wars, etc) and we were contacted recently about doing
something like this for an LEA in a different state. Needless to say, it's
a back-burner project. Disappointing, 'cause I was looking forward to
trying out the prototypes.




-c

On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:50:38 -0800, Ron Wanttaja
wrote in
:

When you consider that 12-year-old kids can go to Wal-Mart and buy an electric
RC plane...complete with camera...for $150

Are you able to provide a link to the particular aircraft you
mentioned above?

Thank you.

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:27:31 GMT, Larry Dighera wrote:

On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 17:50:38 -0800, Ron Wanttaja
wrote in
:

When you consider that 12-year-old kids can go to Wal-Mart and buy an electric
RC plane...complete with camera...for $150

Are you able to provide a link to the particular aircraft you
mentioned above?

http://www.estesrockets.com/products.php?number=4127

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4196237

Target and other stores sell an F-16 that goes like a bat out of bleeding
hell...not a very good starter plane, but it's what I learned to fly these
"foamies" on, and the F-16 is damn near indestructible. One of my EAA friends
happened to be there on the first day I flew it. He said, "I've known you for
fifteen years, and I've never heard you laugh like that."

One drawback to ALL of these is that the pitch control is backwards. The stick
controls *throttle*, not an elevator, so you push forward to climb. But they
all climb at their "normal" throttle settings, so you can ignore pitch control
while you learn how to control direction. You're definitely out of the control
for the first couple of flights...but that's most of the fun.

Ron Wanttaja

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:13:16 -0800, Ron Wanttaja
wrote in
:

http://www.estesrockets.com/products.php?number=4127

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4196237

Target and other stores sell an F-16 that goes like a bat out of bleeding
hell...not a very good starter plane, but it's what I learned to fly these
"foamies" on, and the F-16 is damn near indestructible. One of my EAA friends
happened to be there on the first day I flew it. He said, "I've known you for
fifteen years, and I've never heard you laugh like that."

One drawback to ALL of these is that the pitch control is backwards. The stick
controls *throttle*, not an elevator, so you push forward to climb. But they
all climb at their "normal" throttle settings, so you can ignore pitch control
while you learn how to control direction. You're definitely out of the control
for the first couple of flights...but that's most of the fun.

Ron Wanttaja

Thanks.

Walmart is out of stock, but I did find a better price he
http://marketplace.hgtv.com/View_Lis...d=1439-N608153

This would not comply with the AMA
"Richard Riley" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:12:26 GMT, Larry Dighera
wrote:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbc...702040341/1006

Police drone plan draws fire

Palm Bay wants to fly device; FAA, pilot group raise red flags

BY J.D. GALLOP

PALM BAY - -- Police Chief William Berger vows to deploy an unmanned
aerial vehicle despite contentions from the Federal Aviation
Administration and a national pilots' association that his department
must first get federal approval before doing so.

Berger said the $30,000, 8-pound aircraft -- which he likens to a
model plane and would use to aid police on the ground -- does not fall
under FAA regulations. And he said he is prepared to seek assistance
from Brevard County's congressional representatives, if necessary.

...

FAA officials were steadfast in saying Palm Bay's unmanned vehicle
should be grounded until further notice from the federal agency.

"We control the airspace, and we control who can fly what, where,"
said Les Dorr, a spokesman for the federal agency. "Our primary
concern is the safety of the airways. If (the police department)
starts using the unmanned vehicle then they run the risk of being told
'no, they can't do it.' "

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department also ran afoul of FAA rules after
attempting to put its own unmanned vehicle into service last year.
Their unmanned vehicle remains grounded.

But CyberDefense Systems, a St. Petersburg-based company that markets
the Cyberbug said the aircraft -- like a model plane -- flies below
400 feet and would not interfere with flight patterns.

Model planes -- like those used by hobbyists -- have flight and range
restrictions that typically don't interfere with air traffic, company
and FAA officials said.

Bill Edelstein, a licensed helicopter pilot and Melbourne Beach
resident, said he was concerned about the low-flying aircraft's
interaction with helicopters.

As long as they maintain visual contact with it at all times and the
pilot is a member of AMA, they should be fine.

If not - good luck. FAA will stomp on them.

"Aluckyguess" wrote in message
...
This would not comply with the AMA

The AMA wants you to think that you need to fly under their protection, but
they are nothing but a lobby group and insurance provider. They don't mean
squat, to a police chief flying a RC observation plane.
--
Jim in NC