The Drones

[Jim Oaks]

China used balloons. Not exactly stealthy. Flying with lights makes it look more legit, whereas flying without would cause more suspicion.

 

[superj]

They fly them all the time here in corpus. They are alot bigger though, i think 15 foot wing span and use something that looks like a weedeater motor.

Texas a&m uses them and we rebuild them where i work.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

since when do drones flown by adversaries use running lights?

When they want to keep the heat off during practice runs of course...

Lights on and everybody just thinks its weird.

Lights off and the FAA starts getting in your business.

 

[JohnnyO]

We’re working on catching a couple of them. We don’t want to just shoot them down and destroy them, we want them fully functioning. It’s not going to be easy.

Thing is they're still a relatively small target and bullets have to land someplace.
Better to get them with a laser or RFI that will disable them.

 

[JohnnyO]

since when do drones flown by adversaries use running lights?

Since our government lets them. S'all right, new government coming in six weeks.

 

[stmitch]

Everybody in this thread:

The FAA considers these things aircraft FYI, so taking matters into your own hands and bringing one down could have some major legal consequences.

I've read some other reports of them in the NH area as well in recent days. They're not small hobby drones. They're like 10-15ft long. They're seeing a half dozen or more together.

 

[superj]

i think the larger ones we work on, and texas a&m uses, are called predator drones

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i think the larger ones we work on, and texas a&m uses, are called predator drones

Predators are usually out of beer bottle throwing range...

 

[Curious Hound]

I believe your airspace above your property extends to about 500ft above ground level, unless you are really close to an airport. I know from Rocket flying experience, years ago, the FAA wasn’t involved unless we exceeded 500ft.

so, if something like that is harassing me at beer bottle throwing distance, I’m going to assume “game on” and ask forgiveness later, if needed. Using firearms would be a lot more iffy. Potato gun seems appropriate and entertaining.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I believe your airspace above your property extends to about 500ft above ground level, unless you are really close to an airport. I know from Rocket flying experience, years ago, the FAA wasn’t involved unless we exceeded 500ft.

so, if something like that is harassing me at beer bottle throwing distance, I’m going to assume “game on” and ask forgiveness later, if needed. Using firearms would be a lot more iffy. Potato gun seems appropriate and entertaining.

That’s about where I’m at with it…

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I believe your airspace above your property extends to about 500ft above ground level, unless you are really close to an airport. I know from Rocket flying experience, years ago, the FAA wasn’t involved unless we exceeded 500ft.

so, if something like that is harassing me at beer bottle throwing distance, I’m going to assume “game on” and ask forgiveness later, if needed. Using firearms would be a lot more iffy. Potato gun seems appropriate and entertaining.

For regular aircraft it is 500' above the ground. Its higher over populated areas, I don't remember what.

Drones probably have different rules.

If you go flying your piper cub around town low enough for people to throw beer bottles at you... the FAA will likely speak with you.

 

[RangerNumber3]

Some drone guy is laughing his butt off because of this!

 

[Brain75]

Predators are usually out of beer bottle throwing range...

there's nothing in that picture that really gives scale, here's one on the ground next to a typical guy...

my understanding is that these are a lot bigger than the recreational but a fair bit smaller than these predators.

Like the balloon panic caused by china and the press finally telling us just how many weather/research balloons there are over us all the time, I bet the explanation is pretty banal - probably research/science stuff. But that in-between size would make the most sense for espionage (either active foreign or domestic testing) - getting it as small as possible yet maintaining "full size" capability.

 

[DeeRanger]

An interesting report that might answer some questions or raise some new ones ?
https://news.usni.org/2024/06/07/gao-report-on-drones-in-u-s-national-air-space

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

An interesting report that might answer some questions or raise some new ones ?
https://news.usni.org/2024/06/07/gao-report-on-drones-in-u-s-national-air-space

Since nobody knows anything, nobody seems to care, there are several working together and they are big my guess is they are military.

And military won't care about the little tracker things.