[CrashFarmer2]

My dear sweet wife got me a drone for Christmas. This chronicles my first flight and I found I was a whole lot better at crashing a drone than flying a drone. What goes up must come down. One cat seemed to want to follow the drone for a while but the other one got the heck out of there. The dog was more interested in "hunting" in the tall grass. I'm sure I'll get better at flying with more practice. Grandpas can figure out these new-fangled contraptions after all.

It does give a different view of the farm. My grandpa thought that everybody would have a helicopter in the future to check the crops and livestock. He died in 1960 so that was long before drones were heard of but it may well be that drones could be used for checking crops and livestock and they are a lot cheaper than helicopters.

 

[39 master]

Drone

My first Christmas toy flight went well...sorta. Had to get the car and go round to the neighbors and ask him to get the 'copter out of his dog run. At least the dog didn't chew it up. Anyone watch the Drone Racing League? I can't keep one in the back yard and they are going thru 8 foot gates at 80 MPH via camera!

 

[Fang16]

I tied mine to bout 10 feet of heavy cord and a small flashlight until I got the hang of it. Put ur number on it also so the finder can call u. Lol

 

[bob70]

Drones

Since were on the subject I have to address a problem with drones. I am a helicopter pilot by trade. I had a very close encounter with a drone while approaching a hospital helipad at dusk. The drone was at the same altitude on our flight path. It should never have been that high. We had to alter our flight path at the last minute to avoid it. So, if you're going to fly a drone, please keep them below 200 feet above the ground and away from other air traffic. Their relatively small size makes them very difficult to see, but they are certainly large enough to bring down an aircraft if they collide in the "right" way.

 

[bubba1955]

A neighbor of mine in the townhouses here had his drone out one morning. These townhouses are two story with flat roofs and he was hovering over his roof inspecting it with the camera on his drone. Really great images sent to his cell phone in real time. His is a pretty pricey one, I guess. He hovered all around the top of my roof too so I could check it out.

 

[bubba1955]

Since were on the subject I have to address a problem with drones. I am a helicopter pilot by trade. I had a very close encounter with a drone while approaching a hospital helipad at dusk. The drone was at the same altitude on our flight path. It should never have been that high. We had to alter our flight path at the last minute to avoid it. So, if you're going to fly a drone, please keep them below 200 feet above the ground and away from other air traffic. Their relatively small size makes them very difficult to see, but they are certainly large enough to bring down an aircraft if they collide in the "right" way.

Great fun comes with great responsibility.

 

[bob70]

Drones

Yes, I did report it to ATC within minutes and I gave them the location and altitude. Submitted written report, as well, but never heard anything back. The drone I avoided would certainly have caused serious damage had it impacted the right part of the helicopter; the tail rotor being possibly the most vulnerable part. I'd hate for the thing or parts thereof to find its way into an engine intake, also. Birds have brought down aircraft, so I don't find a drone to be any less of a threat. I'm not trying to whine or make a bigger deal of this than it is, nor am I interested in curtailing anyone's responsible use of drones, whether recreational or otherwise. My only purpose is to make folks aware of the potential for negative outcomes and the ways that can be avoided. I'm sure no one wants an accident.

 

[Fang16]

I agree with you! About 6000 hours of slingin' wings in my younger days. lol