CHAMBERSBURG - Drones may soon be banned from Chambersburg's parks.
Borough council will have its first discussion about the topic at its meeting Monday night after it received a recommendation from the recreation advisory committee. The committee suggests the borough ban drones without written permission from the recreation department from these areas, because it felt citizens have a right to be in these places without being subjected to "unauthorized aerial photography," the release states.
The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates drone use, defines a drone as an "aircraft without a human pilot onboard," and instead is controlled by an operator on the ground. Drones can also sometimes have cameras attached to them, which can be used to take aerial photos.
The potential move is completely legal, according to the borough's solicitor's firm, Salzmann Hughes P.C. A review determined the law does allow for a local municipality to adopt a policy preventing the use of drones in public parks if the regulation falls within the borough's police power and does not conflict with FAA regulations.
Chambersburg appears to be the first municipality in the area to consider prohibiting drones in designated public areas. There were no results that turned up after doing a search for "drones" on boroughs' websites and searching Google.
Borough manager Jeffrey Stonehill said this is an "evolving issue," and Chambersburg has looked into using drones for several purposes, including photographing electric lines to look for deficiencies, taking aerial photos for the fire department after action reporting and for economic development.
"(The) staff suggests that council consider a future where drone aircraft, both commercial and recreational, are prevalent, and decided whether the time is right to be making policies on this subject," Stonehill said.
In addition, only a few municipalities in the state have attempted to regulate drone use, the release said. It cited Pittsburgh, which banned drone usage within the city's parks and playgrounds. Attorney Justin George recommended creating regulations using Pittsburgh as a model if the borough decides to move forward with the ban.
The release also added the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Bureau of State Parks limited drone use and other unmanned aircraft to six designated flying sites within six specific state parks. So far, these regulations have not been challenged.
Drones are split into two different categories by the FAA - commercial and noncommercial - with each required to follow certain rules. Operators in both categories must register drones weighing a little more than a half a pound and label it with a unique registration number.
Noncommercial drone users must also allow adhere to the following guidelines, which include:
Flying the aircraft strictly for hobby or recreation use.
Operating the drone in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization.
The drone is limited to not more than 55 pounds, unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization.
Operating the drone in a manner that does not interfere with, and gives way to an manned aircraft.
Giving the airport operator and air traffic control tower prior notice if flying within five miles of an airport.
In addition, these operators must follow other safety guidelines, including not flying the drone more than 400 feet above the ground, keeping it within sight, being aware of airspace requirements, and never flying it under the influence of drugs or alcohol and over groups of people, stadiums, sporting events and emergency response efforts.
Commercial drone operators must follow the same rules as noncommercial drone operators, in addition to several others, which include:
Not flying the drone in excess of a ground speed of 100 mph.
Maintaining a minimum weather visibility of three miles.
Not operating the drone from a moving vehicle.
Completing a pre-flight inspection.
Ensuring any external payloads that are attached are secured.
Operating the drone during the day or at twilight with appropriate anti-collision lighting.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting which will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 4 at the council hall, 100 S. Second St. The release said it is possible no action will be taken at the end of the discussion.
Original article ➤ https://www.publicopiniononline.com
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ReplyDeleteLets be real.
"In addition, these operators must follow other safety guidelines, including not flying the drone more than 400 feet above the ground, keeping it within sight, being aware of airspace requirements, and never flying it under the influence of drugs or alcohol and over groups of people, stadiums, sporting events and emergency response efforts."
I observe the provision "over groups of people" violated constantly and for all practical purposes is not enforceable, or even enforced.