Most drones are powered with helicopter-type rotors that function exactly the same way as a helicopter.
overhead as you herd them, seeing what is going on from a spatial standpoint? You would be able to get the big picture of what is really happening, something that would not be realized from the ground level. The physical condition of each animal could be
determined by hovering next to them. With the larger drones, you could even deliver small packages to your cowboys out in the fi eld much more quickly and effi - ciently than driving to them by truck. This would be nice when you are branding or doctoring a cow and need a medicine that is back at the barn. When your cattle get used to drones fl ying around them, the need for a cowboy or cow dog on the spot might be reduced. With some of the newer technologies, you can use
your cell phone to see the videos being taken by a drone’s camera — in real time. If you see something that needs a closer check, you can control your drone and send it back to more closely fi lm the questioned area or animal.
FAA regulations for drones You may remember that in January of last year, a
drone crashed onto the White House lawn. Well, that has prompted the government to start regulating the fl ying of drones. While a pilot’s license is not necessary for most
operations, the FAA is currently revamping its regu- lations for drone usage. Initially, the rules included no fl ights above 1,500 feet and that the operator keep visual contact with the drone at all times. Problems have occurred already. Commercial airline pilots have reported seeing
drones fl ying several thousand feet in the air near airports. Among the concerns are the potential for damaging a commercial airliner or other airplane, the drone being sucked into a jet engine, etc. FAA regulations for normal airplane fl ights in-
clude minimum and maximum altitude restrictions, controlling fl ights near airports, and the like. One of the biggest dangers to the average citizen is the use of drones to fl y over private property to see what is going on at your house. Obviously, how to protect our right to privacy becomes a real concern.
tscra.org The new regulations now being considered by the
FAA cover some 195 pages and include that drones must weigh 55 pounds or less, fl y only within the sight of their remote pilot, fl y only during daylight hours, stay below 500 feet and go less than 100 miles per hour. It is also proposed that pilots of drones must be at
least 17 years old, pass an aeronautics test, and be ap- proved by the Transportation Security Administration in order to keep terrorists from fl ying them. If you are fl ying the drone for a “commercial pur-
pose,” you must have a pilot’s license. What a com- mercial purpose is has not yet been determined. It is assumed this would be fi lming a rock concert or sports event from a drone, for example. You must keep clear of other aircraft and have per-
mission from the Air Traffi c Control Center if fl ying within 5 miles from an airport. You cannot use the onboard camera of the drone to allow you to fl y a drone out of your sight. And you cannot drop anything from a drone, although you could certainly land the drone and allow a person to remove its cargo. Yet to come will be city, county, and state ordi-
nances and laws regulating drone fl ights. There may be legal constitutional issues with that, but it will take years for any resolution of those types of questions. Florida recently passed a law entitled “Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act” which requires police departments to have a judge’s order before they can use drones to spy on you. So, if someone fl ies a drone over your house and
starts taking pictures through your windows, can you legally shoot it down? A New Jersey man did just that and was charged with criminal mischief. He could have been facing a weapons charge in that state. The use and regulation of drones will continue.
Non-agricultural uses of drones include inspection of bridges, use by real estate salespeople, etc., so we are going to see many more drones in use in the near future. You will certainly fi nd a good use for one at your ranch. But how and when you can use it will be dictated by weather conditions and the federal govern- ment’s future rules to “help” you.
May 2016 The Cattleman 75
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