topic Drone issues in Community Chat

Drone issues

Trailrun23 — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 03:22:04 GMT

Someone in our neighborhood has been sending a drone over our backyards almost everyday. Not always at the same time, It flies pretty low and terrifies the birds that come fit my feeders. I like my privacy in my own backyard. How do I find out who the drone belongs to? DH suggest a BB gun.

Re: Drone issues

occasionalrain — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 03:51:39 GMT

As long as bb guns aren't illegal in your area, I'm with your husband. If they are illegal, then a sling shot should suffice.

Re: Drone issues

kze — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 05:38:25 GMT

Maybe Google for your area and see what drones are allowed to do. Then the BB gun! Lol.

Re: Drone issues

bikerbabe — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:21:42 GMT

If it’s not just a neighbor and it’s a commercial drone, you could be the one in trouble if you destroy it.

I would suggest taking some photos and video and talking to your neighbors first.

Re: Drone issues

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 10:38:11 GMT

Boy, that would really get on my nerves! If it is every day and it is flying low over your house and property and seems very intrusive, loud and snoopy, I would contact the police and see what they say about it.

Re: Drone issues

50Mickey — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 11:25:28 GMT

Are their any homes for sale or coming on the market in your neighborhood? When our house was sold the inspection involved a drone to fly over and take pictures of the roof. Also the county tax assessor periodically takes updated pictures of homes and surrounding property for the property record cards.

So like another poster said before you destroy the drone it is best to find out exactly what it is doing and if it is legal to shoot it down or to fire a gun, even a bb gun in a residential neighborhood.

Re: Drone issues

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 12:31:06 GMT

I like your husband's idea. I don't know if you can find out who owns it but I think it wouldn't matter. They aren't going to stop flying it wherever and whenever they want.

Re: Drone issues

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 12:51:26 GMT

You might want to think of any repercussions you might endure if you destroy it.

Re: Drone issues

SilleeMee — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 12:54:27 GMT

We have laws here for drone usage and flying a drone over private property is a trespassing violation so shoot away.

Re: Drone issues

On It — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:12:17 GMT

It is illegal to shoot down a drone in my state.

Re: Drone issues

50Mickey — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:41:50 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
We have laws here for drone usage and flying a drone over private property is a trespassing violation so shoot away.

@SilleeMee It is not only a matter if the drone is trespassing over private property. Different states and municipalities have different laws. In many places it it illegal to discharge any kind of a fire arm in a residential neighborhood. You can't just grab a gun and start shooting. So I would never advise someone to shoot a drone out of the sky without contacting law enforcement and ask if this is legal. If it is illegal and her husband does this there could be repercussions especially if the drone breaks up and scatters debris hitting someone or damages someone's property.

Re: Drone issues

skatting44 — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:52:19 GMT

@Trailrun23

Call local airport to ask number for local FAA office to report . All drones are supposed to be registered and cannot fly over private property without permission. Strict regulations now adays and ilegal to shoot down one.

Go through FAA

Re: Drone issues

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 13:58:56 GMT

Hubby says shoot it down with a power washer.

Re: Drone issues

Sooner — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:31:38 GMT

My biggest worry here would be dying in the crossfire. . .

Re: Drone issues

Kachina624 — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 15:02:22 GMT

The person flying the drone, probably a kid, has to be outside watching it someplace in close proximity, so go outside and look around the neighborhood.

Definite do not shoot at it without checking laws regarding drones. You could be in big trouble.

No, you cannot shoot a drone out of the sky. Drones are considered aircraft by the National Transportation Safety Board and are protected. “The same law that prevents you from shooting down a 747, or a Cessna 172, or something like that, protects our drones while we are in the air.Jan 2, 2020

Re: Drone issues

Desertdi — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 15:41:13 GMT

@Kachina624 Yesterday....FIVE in a row....jets took off from Luke (home of the F35's) in a pattern right over my house. They usually take off into the North....but the wind musta been blowing wrong.

The ROAR was something else....and, of course, I thought "someone" had dropped a bomb over Phoenix and they were out to get them..... (I once lived near Glenview NAS, so I should have known it was just training.)

Too much excitement for an old woman........

Re: Drone issues

patbz — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 15:59:00 GMT

@Desertdi : In the case of the flyovers from Luke, call their Public Affairs Office and complain. That might persuade them to cease that flight pattern in the future if they get enough complaints and there are other flight options. I used to work in PAO at China Lake and we received many complaints of pilots not observing flight rules and in some communities there were even broken windows and claims were filed.

Re: Drone issues

Desertdi — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 16:19:44 GMT

@patbz wrote:
@Desertdi : In the case of the flyovers from Luke, call their Public Affairs Office and complain. That might persuade them to cease that flight pattern in the future if they get enough complaints and there are other flight options. I used to work in PAO at China Lake and we received many complaints of pilots not observing flight rules and in some communities there were even broken windows and claims were filed.

@patbz Thanks for the info! We had "that problem" when I lived in Chicago. The Air Force and Navy are both in the air over Chicago 24 hours a day.....FULLY ARMED. Lots of sonic booms, broken windows, too. I rarely see a military jet around here, tho, or they are so high, I can't hear them. I am on the far East side of PHX. di

Re: Drone issues

drizzellla — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 16:22:14 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
@SilleeMee wrote:
We have laws here for drone usage and flying a drone over private property is a trespassing violation so shoot away.
@SilleeMee It is not only a matter if the drone is trespassing over private property. Different states and municipalities have different laws. In many places it it illegal to discharge any kind of a fire arm in a residential neighborhood. You can't just grab a gun and start shooting. So I would never advise someone to shoot a drone out of the sky without contacting law enforcement and ask if this is legal. If it is illegal and her husband does this there could be repercussions especially if the drone breaks up and scatters debris hitting someone or damages someone's property.

My girlfriend's husband was a policeman. He was called to a ladies townhouse. She told 911 there was a bear in her backyard. My girlfriend's husband went into the backyard with the woman. She was insisting that he kill the bear.

He saw it was a raccoon. He said exactly the same phrase "You can not discharge a fire arm in a residential neighborhood." He also said since the raccoon ran up a tree to get away from her showed that it was trying it's best to get away from her.

She did not take his comments well. And kept raising her voice in order for him to do what she wanted. This attracted neighbors. The raccoon jumped out of the tree and ran away.

Please make sure that you don't make things worse for you. And you are the ones getting in trouble.

Re: Drone issues

BlueFinch — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 16:34:12 GMT

In Texas (and almost everywhere else) it's illegal to do anything to take down a drone. Serious consequences if done. They can fly over your private property anytime they want. It might be illegal (might be, really?) if they are found to be using surveillance with photos of your private space.

The laxity in having rules for drones amazes me. Sophisticated drones can be used for illegal activities, including hacking. And how would we ever know our problem began with a drone? Or who was responsible? Likely never.

I'd just canvas the neighborhood and see if anyone has an idea of who might be the operator. Maybe some terms could be set that worked for all. I'd also notify the authorities that this is becoming intrusive, to have it on record.