Recent content by PDX Drones

Who were you working for? The Forest Service, BLM, a state agency? I ask because my understanding is the the Forest Service and the BLM have their own internal "small drone" programs where they are training their employees in-house to do what you describe. If you were subcontracting for the...

It might be a topic of therapy. We don't know. She was really upset about the drone stuck in her fire escape that apparently went unclaimed. She was saying the police were also dumbstruck about what to do with it. Her experience with local law enforcement sounds very credible though. I would...

They did a follow up piece in response to the criticism and they had a drone law guy talking about how there actually were a bunch of laws. It wasn't that great of a piece but it did correct the original piece. That aired on Thursday, Dec. 6th and the "The Takeaway" podcast is available for free...

The FAA answers this question in its FAQs on its website: "How can non-US citizens fly UAS for commercial purposes in the United States? Non-U.S. citizens who want to fly for commercial purposes may do so under the Small UAS rule (Part 107) by getting a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by...

I completely agree that there are a lot of amazing ways for LE, emergency responders, and fire fighters to use drones and that they are becoming essential tools for many applications. But the thread title says, "Educating People We Are Not Spying on Them" And someone wrote: "I would think...

I do not currently practice law. But I went to law school and I have handled Fourth Amendment cases and I believe that as a citizen of the United States, it is our obligation to protect the very little privacy that is given to us in our Constitution. Law enforcement is not at all concerned...

The heli is more like a police car driving by my house. If it sits around, I am going to notice it and if it does surveille without a warrant, that would be a violation. As a practical matter, law enforcement cannot really afford to use helicopters for general surveillance except for big drug...

"Enclose it with walls and a roof and now you're on to something." Enclose it with walls and a roof and a military-grade thermal imaging camera (like those being given as surplus to local law enforcement) can see through your walls and into your bedroom. You don't think a warrant would be...

"I would think the only person worried about LEO having drones is someone that has something to hide." I've got news for you. We've all got something to hide sooner or later and if you want to give drones a bad name, this is how you do it. The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution requires...