{"id":35,"date":"2016-11-29T14:25:43","date_gmt":"2016-11-29T20:25:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/?page_id=35"},"modified":"2017-07-14T16:12:51","modified_gmt":"2017-07-14T22:12:51","slug":"bluffparkdrone-frequently-asked-questions-faq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/2016\/11\/29\/bluffparkdrone-frequently-asked-questions-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"BluffParkDrone (FAQ)"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p> $\"\u00a9BluffParkDrone\"$ \n

People have some big misconceptions about UAVs (drones), so this page will hopefully answer some of these. \u00a0If you have a question that this section doesn\u2019t answer, drop us a note at bluffparkdrone@att.net and we\u2019ll try to answer it.<\/p>\n

Can drones spy on me?\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Yeah, drones could spy on you, but they wouldn\u2019t be very good at it. \u00a0You see, drones are very loud and have a bunch of lights on them while they are flying. \u00a0Inconspicuous would not be one of the words you could use to describe a drone when it\u2019s below 300 feet. \u00a0 The second reason it would be difficult to spy on someone is that drones require a direct line of sight from the controller to the drone. \u00a0In other words, if a drone flew behind a house, out of direct visual contact with the controller, the drone control would be lost, and could result in a crash. \u00a0Finally, drones weren\u2019t made for close-ups. \u00a0They were made for wide angle shots from heights above 30 feet. \u00a0In order to capture a person\u2019s face so that it is recognizable, the drone must be within 15\u2032 of the subject.<\/li>\n
Can drones fly long distances?\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Sure, some drones, like the Phantom 3 Professional that BluffParkDrone uses has been known to fly distances of over 3 miles. \u00a0However, that\u2019s on a perfectly flat terrain with no obstructions (trees, houses, cell phone towers). \u00a0More realistic distances are under 1000 feet. \u00a0In areas like Bluff Park, 300-500\u2032 is the maximum, with 100\u2032 being the norm. \u00a0The other limiting factor is that the drone operator, who is holding a remote control, must be able to visually see the drone the entire time, or the signal between the controller and the drone will be lost, which could result in a crash. \u00a0Another factor that limits distance (and altitude) is battery life. \u00a0Flight time on a fully charged battery is around 25 minutes. \u00a0Weather factors, such as wind, temperature, humidity, etc. could reduce that time.<\/li>\n
Can drones fly to very high altitudes?\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Again, it depends on the drone. \u00a0The Phantom 3 Professional has been able to go up to 1.5km, or about a mile high. \u00a0Technically, yes. \u00a0Legally, no. \u00a0The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that we stay below 400\u2032 Above Ground Level (AGL), unless we receive a waiver. \u00a0There are other exclusions regarding the altitude restriction. \u00a0 The stability of the drone, which keeps it\u2019s position thanks to a GPS that contacts up to 17 satellites (both US and European satellites are locked on to), is nearly perfect to the legal altitude. \u00a0Beyond that it begins to loose stability.<\/li>\n
Can you videotape my special event like a wedding, or sporting event? \u00a0<\/strong>Yes we can. \u00a0But we will NEVER fly above people, so the video and photos will be from outside the area where people are gathered. \u00a0 We will never fly near power lines, or near areas where we could lose control of the drone. \u00a0Again, these are FAA regulations.<\/li>\n
Who is behind BluffParkDrone? \u00a0<\/strong>BluffParkDrone is part of RFS Enterprises, LLC, which is owned by long-time Hoover, Alabama resident Robin Schultz. \u00a0Other businesses and organizations\u00a0that Robin operates include PC Medics of Alabama<\/a>, BluffParkAL.org (THE Bluff Park Neighborhood web site)<\/a>, Learning To Be The Light<\/a>, which furnishes PCs to low-income Hoover City Schools students at no charge.<\/li>\n
What\u2019s an FAA Part 107 License? \u00a0<\/strong>Drone\u2019s (Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or sUAVs) have become very popular over the past few years, however, there were no regulations for commercial sUAV pilots. \u00a0In 2016 the FAA created the Part 107 license<\/a> to fill this gap. \u00a0Only those holding the Part 107 license may operate sUAVs in a commercial environment. \u00a0In other words, if the Remote Pilot in Commend (RPIC) does not hold a Part 107 license, they cannot charge for their services. \u00a0There\u2019s a good reason for this. \u00a0Obtaining the Part 107 license is similar to obtaining a regular pilots license. \u00a0The RPCI must be proficient in reading sectional charts, reading weather reports, interpreting weather based on current conditions, understand flight regulations for both sUAVs and regular manned aircraft, understand flight patterns, and a host of other items. \u00a0Passing the exam requires months of studying, and the license must be renewed every two years. \u00a0The reason for this is simple: \u00a0safety. \u00a0A licensed sUAV pilot will understand all of the measures necessary to never put his client or the general public in danger. \u00a0In addition to the license, a reputable aerial photography company will also hold liability insurance. \u00a0Before hiring a drone company, ask to see their FAA Part 107 license, as well as their insurance policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
$\"Artists$
Artists on the Bluff, Bluff Park, AL \u00a92016 BluffParkDrone<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
People have some big misconceptions about UAVs (drones), so this page will hopefully answer some of these. \u00a0If you have a question that this section doesn\u2019t answer, drop us a note at bluffparkdrone@att.net and we\u2019ll try to answer it. Can drones spy on me?\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Yeah, drones could spy on you, but they wouldn\u2019t be very good […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions\/76"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bluffparkdrone.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}