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Post by efliernz on Dec 5, 2014 12:30:04 GMT 12
Firstly... remember that I am primarily a model pilot with occasional full-size fun.
Hmmmm Sitting in my office looking out the 3rd floor window (EcoLab Te Rapa, Hamilton) watching a Squirrel lifting building bits approx 600m away (Wairere Drive) when a r/c quadcopter came past me (heading south) above Te Rapa straight at around 50'. It turned in front of my window and flew north approx 300-400M. It hovered 25-40' higher than heli (in heavy overcast conditions) approx 200M away from the heli. I suspect the heli didn't know anything about it... and if it had needed to make a rapid westerly track, it may have got ugly.
The location is just outside the Hamilton Control Zone. That makes it legal under 101 - although I know (as a modeller) he must have been flying using the video downlink due to the distance. That now makes it illegal as it's outside normal vision. Yes I have photos... no I can't upload them from work.
I had enough concern to call the tower. They of course knew about the heli. They did not know about the model... and under 101 didn't need to. He agreed with my suggestion that an informative message to heli pilot warning about the stationary UAV immediately to his west could be beneficial... just as info.
The new up-for-discussion rules for 101 and 102 were on CAA's website yesterday. I can see someone having an "I was flying within 101 so go bite me" attitude here as many do not value or care about others. The attitude of "I can land in a hurry if I have to" doesn't help the full-size pilot hovering with an under-slung load at 100' in town suddenly siting a model so close - higher than them.
Just saying...
Pete
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Post by efliernz on Nov 26, 2014 18:38:58 GMT 12
As someone who has flown part-time r/c photos & video commercially for 7 years, I have heard the the privacy line soooo often While it is a concern, I'd be more worried about the common cheap miniature hidden cam... or the super-zoom cameras with over 800mm of zoom inbuilt for only $500. More than enough reach to anonymously video across a park into a window. No copter, no noise. ... just saying Rules for model flying are already there - but suddenly it's a "drone" so let's get all emotive. I hate that term "drone"... I will still fly r/c models under CAA101. When I need to call the tower - I will. Rules will not stop an ignorant flyer from doing what it illegal or unsafe. I am seeing it every day and I was yelled at and abused on a NZ multicopter facebook page last week for trying to point out to a mature adult that his flying and the way he treated the machine was unsafe - and I was trying to help, not beat him up. CAA doesn't have the resources to police (or chase up) reported sightings now. I do not see a good result in the future here. Pete
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Post by efliernz on Oct 21, 2014 15:24:55 GMT 12
sorry Dave... lookin good here
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Post by efliernz on Oct 9, 2014 9:21:44 GMT 12
Uncertainty of CAA's guidelines (as soon as you are a commercial operation) and inconsistencies of Airways policing have caused me (who has flown commercial r/c heli and multirotor for 8 years) to park the models and fly only in a C172 for my commercial ops. As a part-time operator it wasn't worth the expenditure to get the new paperwork in order (I have of course had a basic operators manual, logs and the OSH manual for the last 8 years). I have been mentoring an operator in Christchurch for the last 18 months who has spent a huge quantity of $$$ on operators manuals, PPL exams etc and is now approved by CAA to fly within the zone. He has several govt contracts now... really cool as it is the right way to record what he has been asked to do from under 200'. While he is doing it right, he has been declined permission to do some work by the tower (due to the proximity next to the airport) yet an amateur flew his toy Phantom 'drone' closer... much closer with no permission yet CAA don't appear to not know how to regulate the idiots. We will see CAA changes within the next 6 months... because at the moment, it's too easy for an uninformed (ignorant) amateur to say "I didn't know there were laws..." As for this contributing to Helipro's downfall... I'm not convinced. Most RPAS work are new opportunities. Low altitude photography and video, survey photos and 3D photogrammetry have only been happening for the last 6 years and are all new technologies, rather than using a model instead of a full-size. There are of course times when the full-size is the right tool... like shooting 16Km of Waikato Expressway nearly entirely in the Hamilton Zone... Just my 2c worth... It's still a shame when any operator can't keep operating... whatever the reason. Pete
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Post by efliernz on Sept 29, 2014 7:10:25 GMT 12
For those unable to be there... An awesome day... not great wx so no flying, but an awesome bunch! In front of us sat 6 x gents in their early 90's. While aged 21-25, they flew Defiant, Lancaster, Mosquito, Halifax, Wellington and Lincoln bombers in the Battle of Britain. The most awesome and humbling q and a session I've ever been to! I look at the maturity of many of our 21-25's and wonder what the hell has happened! Many thanks to Dave, NZ Warbirds and all involved with giving us a great day out. Pete
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Post by efliernz on Sept 27, 2014 17:56:40 GMT 12
Bruce - I wanted to do a buz n break in WAM but Peter W wouldn't let me Nice pano
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Post by efliernz on Sept 27, 2014 13:24:44 GMT 12
looks like a few made it... A quick shot during a commercial photo and video sortie today... Pete
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Post by efliernz on Sept 27, 2014 7:20:21 GMT 12
WX looks good until later today. I gotta work (aerial photography) so I doubt I'll drop in
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Post by efliernz on Sept 24, 2014 15:29:45 GMT 12
sorry Dave
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Post by efliernz on Sept 24, 2014 14:45:25 GMT 12
Weather passing quickly... yes and no. I have a photo-shoot on Saturday (instead of going to Te Kowhai ) so wx passing Sat night, done by Sun morning works for me!
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Post by efliernz on Sept 24, 2014 13:36:28 GMT 12
Let's hope weather computer has it wrong again... or we will be bringing our kayaks for the taxi way...
Pete
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Post by efliernz on Sept 15, 2014 18:44:16 GMT 12
Hamiltonians... if the wx is usable, are there any aviating seats spare for a return trip from Hamilton / Te Kowhai (share fuel of course)? If not, I'll drive... but why drive if you can fly Message if you prefer to avoid forum clutter or txt 0276-272363 (or call 854-5518) Many thanks Pete
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Post by efliernz on Aug 24, 2014 8:59:31 GMT 12
A great find... awesome breakfast viewing. Thanks
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Post by efliernz on Aug 13, 2014 7:11:08 GMT 12
Depression takes another... the long term solution to a short term problem. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood illnesses...
RIP Robin
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Post by efliernz on Aug 6, 2014 21:45:45 GMT 12
He's there!
Well done all.
Pete
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Post by efliernz on Aug 2, 2014 7:43:03 GMT 12
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Post by efliernz on Jul 20, 2014 21:38:47 GMT 12
Very nice What did you use for the cameraship? Pete
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Post by efliernz on Jul 14, 2014 22:34:50 GMT 12
I have just watched Erebus... I was just a kid but (as an aviation nutter since 3yo) I remember it very clearly. A very well well made doco - showing facts and upholding human respect where possible.
Pete
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Post by efliernz on Jul 8, 2014 14:49:04 GMT 12
Firstly - awesome video.
This video has made very interesting debate on the r/c, aerial photography & UAV forums. Especially when the FAA are considering a blanket ban on FPV (first person view flying with goggles and a video downlink). There was a no-fly notam out for the fireworks and models are regarded as aircraft by CAA in NZ - just as well it wasn't here. If you want to chance that statement, ask Frank Usmar and Rex Kenny if they have used the "misuse of an aircraft endangering people or property act" on model fliers in the last 3 years and you might be in for a shock! Now, I hate to be a party-pooper but us (responsible) modelers are getting a hard time from CAA at the moment. The paperwork to fly commercial r/c in this country has caused me (part-time aerial photographer for 7 years) to only shoot from a fullsize with a commercial pilot and plane. Less paperwork and insurance!!! Fulltime guys are sort-of getting certification from CAA although the guidelines are still a bit flaky.
Again - great video and a fantastic use for a disposable crappy DJI Phantom but in NZ, I can't legally fly night ops even for fun. Of course I can apply for a one-off dispensation to fly a model in the dark but at the price that CAA asks for the exemption application, it's cheaper to charter a 172.
Pete
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Post by efliernz on Jun 25, 2014 22:17:44 GMT 12
Cheers Dave - I suspect you are right as usual I am looking forward to Broadchurch too... quality British drama...
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