People complaints

prestonrich · Sep 30, 2020

OK, I’m flying from the balcony of a top floor penthouse condo with a clear unobstructed view East, North and South for many miles to the horizon. I fly over towns, villages, rivers and beautiful scenery.

The problem is when returning to the balcony, even from a height, some residents see the quad flying outside and are very concerned that I’m looking into their apts (though I’m not). Several have complained to the condo Board who have asked me to appear. One just saw me carrying the quad and complained that I even have it.

I know w/1 million of these quads now in private use some new FAA regs will surely come out to limit our use further.

However, until then, how should I handle these complaints most effectively?

icecoldgin · Sep 30, 2020

My view is that so long as you are compliant with the FAA (or similar rules in your area) you should be okay.

The matter with the condo association is a private matter subject to rules and regulations that the condo board may pass and which will be binding on all its Members.

Just to put this in context, I live in a village located within a private estate and while we have CAAP (FAA equivalent here) rules, it is silent on flying within the premises of a the village and the private estate. I asked the village administration if there are guidelines and they said there are none. I have not asked the estate administration but I suppose they too will have no rules since the company managing both are one and the same. So from my end, I fly as I wish but I respect the privacy of others and comply with our local CAAP regulations.

So far, I have not received any complaints but if I do get complaints, then I will iniate the dialogue with the village administrator or private estate administrator and the person complaining and see how we can settle this amicably to the benefit of all parties.

Hope this helps.

Thomas B · Sep 30, 2020

prestonrich said:
OK, I’m flying from the balcony of a top floor penthouse condo with a clear unobstructed view East, North and South for many miles to the horizon. I fly over towns, villages, rivers and beautiful scenery.

The problem is when returning to the balcony, even from a height, some residents see the quad flying outside and are very concerned that I’m looking into their apts (though I’m not). Several have complained to the condo Board who have asked me to appear. One just saw me carrying the quad and complained that I even have it.

I know w/1 million of these quads now in private use some new FAA regs will surely come out to limit our use further.

However, until then, how should I handle these complaints most effectively?

Sounds like you should just fly somewhere there’s no people to fly over... Hope you board doesn’t fine you or make an FAA report... best of luck.

Tufargon · Sep 30, 2020

Also remember the 400 ft AGL rule. I don't know how high your condo is.

SmilingOgre · Sep 30, 2020

Don't know. People will do that. I live in Ypsilanti, home of Eastern University. Majority of folks here are blue collar and there is a healthy helping of live and let live. Move down the road a bit and enter Ann Arbor U of M. Packed with church ladies (snl variety) and Don Quixotries. I don't fly there. They're hiding behind bushes just waiting to jump out and tell others how to live. One drone and the pitch forks and torches would come out. You may have to just find a new launch point to keep your sanity.

icecoldgin · Sep 30, 2020

SmilingOgre said:
Don't know. People will do that. I live in Ypsilanti, home of Eastern University. Majority of folks here are blue collar and there is a healthy helping of live and let live. Move down the road a bit and enter Ann Arbor U of M. Packed with church ladies (snl variety) and Don Quixotries. I don't fly there. They're hiding behind bushes just waiting to jump out and tell others how to live. One drone and the pitch forks and torches would come out. You may have to just find a new launch point to keep your sanity.

Ptich forks and torches, hahahahaha

Salem Drone Hunts?

BigAl07 · Sep 30, 2020

prestonrich said:
OK, I’m flying from the balcony of a top floor penthouse condo with a clear unobstructed view East, North and South for many miles to the horizon. I fly over towns, villages, rivers and beautiful scenery.

The problem is when returning to the balcony, even from a height, some residents see the quad flying outside and are very concerned that I’m looking into their apts (though I’m not). Several have complained to the condo Board who have asked me to appear. One just saw me carrying the quad and complained that I even have it.

I know w/1 million of these quads now in private use some new FAA regs will surely come out to limit our use further.

However, until then, how should I handle these complaints most effectively?

How important is flying from your condo? Is it worth fines and the negative exposure from neighbors and the HOA?

Also how can you be sure you're not flying over people etc when departing and returning to your balcony?

Sometimes the old saying, "Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD" comes into play. Also another one, "Don't poop where you lay your head" might come into play.

Kyle76 · Sep 30, 2020

Frame two of your best drone shots (preferably not ones peeping in windows) and donate them to hang in a common area. Present them to the board when you appear. Seriously, show them why you fly.

prestonrich · Oct 1, 2020

Interesting idea. Thanks.

QLD-pilot · Oct 1, 2020

In my rural area I just go very high, over 130m up more or less, and it's hard to hear or see the drone then. No complaints from neighbours .... yet

zeusfl · Oct 1, 2020

Offer free drone classes in the bulleting board for condo resident. This will be liked by the condo board and the neighbored will understand what are you doing.

lannes · Oct 1, 2020

Show the condo board the flight videos to prove that you can't see anything

zeusfl · Oct 1, 2020

You can create hyperlaps from sunsets and stuff like that and share the YouTube link in the board as well. I fly from my apartment as well second floor. And i had a neighbored that was asking for what i was doing. I give him a class and even let him fly my drone next to me and problem resolved. Now he want a drone.

THE CYBORG · Oct 1, 2020

Show them some footage you have taken, it will make it obvious that it’s almost impossible to spy into an apartment even if you really tried.

hiflyer201 · Oct 1, 2020

prestonrich said:
However, until then, how should I handle these complaints most effectively?

stop doing what you're doing would be the most effective.

Duds · Oct 1, 2020

Well technically you breaking the rules that govern drone flying in my country, not sure about yours.
Please investigate if you are within the set distance parameters to buildings and people and remember, you are an ambassador of our hobby/sport.

itallica · Oct 1, 2020

Tufargon said:
Also remember the 400 ft AGL rule. I don't know how high your condo is.

If his condo is 400 ft high, he could fly up to 400 feet above it to avoid the obstacle.

itallica · Oct 1, 2020

hiflyer201 said:
stop doing what you're doing would be the most effective.

When I was studying for my part107 I ran across a video where the host explained he NEVER flew from his home (driveway/backyard/whatever) ... he didn't what to be known as "that neighbor".

Drones have a bad stigma attached to them, and we're fighting an uphill battle every time a firefighting plane gets grounded or on lands in the outfield of a major league baseball game.

I don't like conflict (I'm having a great 2020) so I tend to avoid people whenever possible. Otherwise, it may take a gentle touch with the public/neighbors that think automatically that what you are doing is illegal.

Good luck, and happy flying all.

BigAl07 · Oct 1, 2020

itallica said:
If his condo is 400 ft high, he could fly up to 400 feet above it to avoid the obstacle.

ONLY if you're flying under Part 107 rules. There is no allowance for "Structures" on Hobby/Recreational rules. Hobby/Recreational rules are an absolute AGL of 400'.

Dale D · Oct 1, 2020

SmilingOgre said:
Don't know. People will do that. I live in Ypsilanti, home of Eastern University. Majority of folks here are blue collar and there is a healthy helping of live and let live. Move down the road a bit and enter Ann Arbor U of M. Packed with church ladies (snl variety) and Don Quixotries. I don't fly there. They're hiding behind bushes just waiting to jump out and tell others how to live. One drone and the pitch forks and torches would come out. You may have to just find a new launch point to keep your sanity.

I love your comments about Ann Arbort and the church ladies (pun intended) I went there for a year.