Drones

Drones are in the news...

Three nights ago Mrs. preach and I are taking the Boxers out at sunset, about 4:45ish, just like any evening. I get home from work about then and the Ladies get very excited and want to run.

While they are out doing there thing I notice two new antennas dead south. They were not there the night before so I point them out and say "WTF, when did those get put up?". Red and white lights at the same level over the ridge, blinking there for at least 5 minutes. Did not think much of it until one broke off heading in our direction and the other followed. Well, the passed by our house about a mile away and we could barely hear them. We are both really into helicopters and knew that they'd make a lot more noise. When they went by you could see that they had the proper lights on them red, green, white. We could not get a size reference but they seemed pretty big. We watched them fly past our house and disappear after they past our western tree line.

The next day I see a news vid about drone sightings and say "holy E36 M3" and sent it to the Mrs. We discuss the similarities and decide to report it to the Boston FBI Office. Noting that we are really close to a major submarine facility, one of the longest runways in the country, and a nuclear power station, we figured it was important to drop the dime.

Two nights ago we see them again but there are 7 of them hovering low on the ridge. Three of them break off the hover and make a triangle in the sky vertically with one at the top and fly off further south (towards the ex-AF base with the runway, and the sub facility, both about 15 miles away). I called the police to report it on their non-emergency line hoping they could send a cruiser over and we could get an official witness. I got a very rude reply that will be taken up with the chief on Monday.

Last night 7ish were there again. We did not want to watch their shenanigans as it was very cold out but looking out the windows we could see that they were hovering there for a few hours. Mrs. p just sent a message to a trusted local news outlet.

They are hovering over Dover, NH if you were to look at a map.

The long barrel is going on the Mossy today. It's open season for this redneck.

EDIT: We have video but not from the first night when they passed really close so it kinda sucks.

Wow. Thank you for sharing your accounts. The appearance of drones seems to be growing from their first sightings in New Jersey. Feds don't seem to be concerned in what I've been reading. Local officials are concerned. Weird. 

If they had their navigation lights on then I doubt they are part of a sinister plot.

etifosi said:

If they had their navigation lights on then I doubt they are part of a sinister plot.

I concur.

As discussed here many times shooting down a drone is considered shooting down aircraft and is a big deal. Not a good idea, especially since these seem to be more than hobby drones

There's a good chance they're on official business. What is the outcome if you shoot at or even down a legally operated federally owned drone? I'm guessing you and your family would not enjoy it. 

In other words, now that you've posted on here you cannot do it. 

This is a link to NOTAMs.  Notice To Airman.  A quick look at Pease AFB, I didn't see anything about No Fly zones.  Some airports will make you turn out or only land from one direction to keep noisy planes away from the populace, or turn out to avoid mountains, etc.

If the drones are radio controlled, no matter how big, couldn't a hand held RDF locate the operator?  My Dad had Alzheimers' and wondered a bit at night.  He wore an ankle bracelet, if he took off we call the phone number and a cop comes out with the RDF.  He said the device could find him even if he was behind a building.

This is all I could find on Portsmouth.

But wait, there's more!  Drone Operators have to be licensed.  I have no idea what the penalty is for running without one, but with one they should be aware of the rules.

I was being tongue in cheek about shooting them with a shotgun when they are a mile away. Sheesh, a mile ffs.

Dover looks to be 2-3 miles outside of the AFB no unauthorized done zone.

Northern New Jersey has had a number of swarm flights recent evenings. Big news locally.

preach said:

I was being tongue in cheek about shooting them with a shotgun when they are a mile away. Sheesh, a mile ffs.

Good job. Very plausible! 

Send up your own hobby drone to get a closer look at them instead.

Night flight needs special permits. Or at least it did last time I looked. 
 

You need a Part 107 License if you are making money flying your drone.  

GameboyRMH said:

Send up your own attack drone to bring them down with a miniaturized air-to-air missile.

FTFY.

I'm a pilot, but not one that can recite FAA Regs from memory.  My understanding is ALL Drone Pilots have to be certified.  If you're flying is questionable areas, certified or not, it's all moot if you're not caught.

Or call in the eagles .....

In reply to 914Driver :

Not all.  If it weighs less than 250 grams you can fly without a license.

EDIT - I went to double check and I may be off here.  So far I'm seeing the less than 250 grams is you don't have to register the drone.

DOUBLE EDIT - Seems recreational use and less than 250 = no license.

Here's part of the the FAA regulation on drones: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-89

https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers

A few key points:

• Drones under .55lbs (249.xx grams) are exempt from most of the requirements.
• A license is required and you must complete a course to get the license.
• Registration is required and must be marked on the drone.
• Drones are required to have a remote identification module, basically a transponder, to operate in US airspace.
• Before operating a drone, you must check with an approved application or website to make sure that your drone is permitted in the intended airspace.

I do recreational flying/photography and went to a 249 gram drone this year to avoid most of the requirements. The current capabilities and cost of the light drones are much better than they were a few years ago.

Thoughts - If these drones are not compliant, they are easy enough for law enforcement to respond to if they present a security risk or hazard. If they are operated by an exempt entity, they may do whatever they want. Law enforcement will not respond and we might never be informed.

Did you guys see that news article about the old man nailing a Walmart drone with a 9? A NINE of all things!

If you want to jump past the educational stuff: https://youtu.be/IrocytwdeEY?t=2738

To see this many drones, my theory it's one of two scenarios:

1. U.S. surveillance (definitely don't shoot them down)
2. Foreign surveillance with a chance of having some sort of payload (also don't shoot them down)

The local politicians seem quite concerned as are members of Congress. The FBI doesn't seem to be saying much, but that's not too surprising if there's an active investigation.

I fly a Mavic Mini 4 Pro. Sub 250g and I'm not using it for commercial use so no license is required. Most of DJI's drones have geofencing and won't fly within a no-fly zone. I can't fly mine at my office. 

This is the FAA no-fly zone map for Charleston, SC

The purple is the three airports. 

Shaw AFB is also a no-fly zone with height restrictions as you get closer to the base. 

If these things are flying in from the sea, why not knock one down, retrieve it and then analyze.