Idea of civilians using drone aircraft may soon fly with FAA

[phantom power]

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to propose new rules for the use of small drones in January, a first step toward clearing the way for police departments, farmers and others to employ the technology.

Drone aircraft, best known for their role in hunting and destroying terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan, may soon be coming to the skies near you.

Police agencies want drones for air support to spot runaway criminals. Utility companies believe they can help monitor oil, gas and water pipelines. Farmers think drones could aid in spraying their crops with pesticides.

"It's going to happen," said Dan Elwell, vice president of civil aviation at the Aerospace Industries Assn. "Now it's about figuring out how to safely assimilate the technology into national airspace."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-drones-for-profit-20111127,0,6584711.story

[napoleon_in_rags]

1. So it starts with the military, moves to the police.

Scary precedent when you think of Abu Graib. At the same time though, the net was originally a pentagon project... I can think of some good uses of civilian drones, particularly in the small farm/agricultural setting.

[Vincardog]

2. Can you think of any good use of them by your local police? I bet they would be great for spotting

GrandMA's medical pot.

[napoleon_in_rags]

3. Redirecting traffic around serious accidents maybe

Every now and then we get one on I-5, traffic is backed way up. They could quickly see the damage and figure out where to put the detour.

Surveying damage after a disasterous storm, seeing the tree blocked roads perhaps.

Being able to see what's going on quick when they get a 911 call from a beach or hiking/bike trail.

Honestly it seems like a decent thing for a PD to have ONE of in the toolkit, but I'm against the idea of the cops peering into everybody's backyards too. The thing is we can't stop the advancement of technology, so it some point the conversation has to move away from what the cops could be doing to what they should be doing.

[jberryhill]

4. They've been using RC planes and helicopters for years

"Drone" is just a new sexy word.