Drone discussion

[Brent.ff]

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Well it's not listed as a provincial park nor is it designated as a provincial recreational area - after a fair bit of searchinh I found out that it's designated as a conservation site and wildlife viewing area, not sure what that really means or what rules apply then.

odd. They had a sign there the last couple years that it was AB park, but I know it's been a contentious issue between Alberta Parks and the MD who is going to maintain it

[Xtrema]

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Well it's not listed as a provincial park nor is it designated as a provincial recreational area - after a fair bit of searchinh I found out that it's designated as a conservation site and wildlife viewing area, not sure what that really means or what rules apply then.

In California, it's no drones unless approved by wildlife dept, but it's not a complete ban.

Not sure about here.

[ZeroGravity]

Saw someone flying what I thought was a model airplane over the storm pond behind the west soccer center by Tuscany. Then it seems to be able to fly very slowly, so more likely a drone.

Didn't think it is okay to fly there since there's a helicopter landing just southeast of Stoney Trail and Nosehill Drive.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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Saw someone flying what I thought was a model airplane over the storm pond behind the west soccer center by Tuscany. Then it seems to be able to fly very slowly, so more likely a drone.

Didn't think it is okay to fly there since there's a helicopter landing just southeast of Stoney Trail and Nosehill Drive.

If it was in fact a drone over 250g, and if it was closer than 1.8km to the Helipad, it would have been illegal.

[ZeroGravity]

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If it was in fact a drone over 250g, and if it was closer than 1.8km to the Helipad, it would have been illegal.

oh, right... didn't think of the weight. Good call.

[Xtrema]

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oh, right... didn't think of the weight. Good call.

Doesn't matter. That pond is outside of both 1.8km radius of helipads to the east and west. Fed rules doesn't apply.

[ZeroGravity]

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Doesn't matter. That pond is outside of both 1.8km radius of helipad to the east and west. Fed rules doesn't apply.

Just used google map to measure the distance. Nice, so that means if I get a drone, I can practice there. 150 m from buildings and roads, right?

[Xtrema]

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Just used google map to measure the distance. Nice, so that means if I get a drone, I can practice there. 150 m from buildings and roads, right?

Not that bad. 30m from stuff for under 1kg drone. Keep it under 90m from ground.

90m is really high. That's like 30 stories.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/media/documents/..._fun_EN-V8.pdf

Keep that handy when someone give you shit. As long as you clear fed air space, it's all about CPS enforcing provincial and city rules.

[blairtruck]

i just took the drone course 2 weeks ago. got my ROC from govt of Canada in the mail last week. https://imgur.com/cxlglT4

[Mitsu3000gt]

Just a heads up for anyone interested, today I called both Calgary Bylaw services and also CPS, inquiring about any rules outside Transport Canada's guidelines that I need to follow within Calgary city limits, and more specifically if I can go to a big school/soccer field and practice flying my drone.

Transport Canada says I'm OK (90m or below, 30m away from cars or the public, 5.5km from airports, 1.8km from helipads, daylight, within sight, etc. etc.) I printed out the handy PDF they provide with the rules on it to keep with me.

Calgary Bylaw services says I'm OK as long as I am not endangering anyone or flying over roads or pathways. They also clarified that a school field or soccer field does not count as a "Park". "Parks" as far as they are concerned are like Nose Hill, Edworthy, Fish Creek, etc.

CPS non-emergency said that the rules are vague and they have no information to give me other than their outdated website (they still list incorrect distances). They said as long as I feel I am within the Transport Canada rules and bylaws I am good to go. They also said I should be fine in any field that wasn't in breach of the Transport Canada rules/distances.

So...didn't seem that bad. There is always going to be some asshat who gets off on reporting everything, but if you just want to head to a big field and mess around with your drone it seems as though you are OK from what every person I talked to today has told me from the relevant authorities.

[ExtraSlow]

Be cautious around schools when the kids are there. My daughters school went into lockdown when a drone showed up at recess. No idea if there's more to that story, they didn't tell the parents any details.

[J-hop]

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Be cautious around schools when the kids are there. My daughters school went into lockdown when a drone showed up at recess. No idea if there's more to that story, they didn't tell the parents any details.

I don’t blame them, who the hell is out flying a drone mid morning in a school yard on a weekday???

[Xtrema]

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I don’t blame them, who the hell is out flying a drone mid morning in a school yard on a weekday???

Unemployed engineer trying to get into a hobby/new career?

[J-hop]

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Unemployed engineer trying to get into a hobby/new career?

I guess, but I would hope someone with a degree could summon up enough brain cells to realize hovering over kids you don’t know isn’t appropriate

[ExtraSlow]

My guess is that the pilot or operator or whatever you call the flyer-person was put of sight and so someone assumed it was some kind of pedophile thing.

I think that assumption is ridiculous and I'm mad they ruined my kids recess, but hey, that's the attitude of the kind of people who seem to be in charge.

[J-hop]

Yea still, if he was actually hovering over/near the kids he’s a bloody moron and part of the reason they put a lot of restrictions on flying. Recess is still what 15 minutes? Half hour at most? Wait a few minutes you freaking fool... haha.

Putting the school on lock down was maybe a bit extreme but they had only two possibilities, a creep or an absolute moron neither is good

[Mitsu3000gt]

Flying over people is a huge no-no regardless if it's a school or not, that person was an idiot if he was anywhere near a school at recess. People like him are what is going to make rules more restrictive for responsible pilots.

I went out yesterday and I had an entire field to myself, but much to my surprise, Hawcs shows up (not for me lol) flying low and slow. I was flying 10 ft off the ground just practicing stuff but I still shut it down until Hawcs had passed and was in the distance.

I am absolutely amazed by how good drones are these days, picked up a full set of ND's and can't wait to actually get some worthwhile footage that isn't depressing white/grey shitty weather.

[Xtrema]

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I am absolutely amazed by how good drones are these days, picked up a full set of ND's and can't wait to actually get some worthwhile footage that isn't depressing white/grey shitty weather.

I did have a few "fuck me" moments on Phantom 3 Pro and RTH saved the day. But Mavic Pro has been way more solid.

Be careful flying near concrete/metal buildings, they interfere with the compass.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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I did have a few "fuck me" moments on Phantom 3 Pro and RTH saved the day. But Mavic Pro has been way more solid.

Be careful flying near concrete/metal buildings, they interfere with the compass.

Good to know, thanks. First few times I tried to calibrate the compass it kept telling me "magnetic interference" but I brought it outside and after a few minutes it was fine.

Yeah the only thing I noticed is it was a little difficult to stay oriented when it's so far away, and I would just initiate RTH then cancel it to ensure it was pointing straight back to where I was standing. I'm also only flying it with the iPhone 8 right now so the screen is super tiny. Fucking Apple doesn't even give you GPS on an $1100 iPad Pro, absolutely ridiculous. I know you don't need GPS to fly but it's better.

I have the Mavic Air and I do wish it had Occusync but the WiFi has been rock solid so far and I don't notice any lag. The portability, new design, and 100Mbps video quality pretty much sold me. Also, Mavic Pro II rumors have been downgraded from a 1" sensor to a 1/1.7" sensor and it'll probably still be $2000+ in Canada. Maybe for my next drone.

They are so easy to fly though, wow. Literally anyone could fly one no problem.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Anyone go to the DJI event hosted by Skymount Drones at the Glencoe? They are having another one if you missed it - not sure when though.