Drone Fleet Over Colorado & Nebraska I'm not sure about anyone else, but it's interesting that no one has claimed this fleet so far. I'm also surprised that no one has tried to shoot one down yet.

It is only illegal to shoot a drone if you get caught, J/K don't shoot my drone.

I've seen these stories for several weeks now...just finally hitting the mainstream...It certainly doesn't give any comfort that no one is claiming ownership...and why won't they since they are technically not breaking any laws...eventually someone is going to start shooting...

That's the part that's unusual. Why not claim them? Maybe it's some publicity stunt that someone will announce after a certain amount of media coverage. But when authorities are starting to get involved, it's starting to get serious.

Very interesting and scary for general aviation if there are any airfields in the area.

I found the reference about privacy interesting. When does this become a privacy issue? Does private property have air space limits? A sidewalk is public property but if I flew a drone over someone's land up to a window, is that now like walking on the property with a camera?

Just wondering. Not sure if anyone here has viewed 1st Amendment Audits on youtube but they're fascinating. This seemed like it could be similar.

I've wondered the same thing.....i wouldn't claim as a homeowner that i own the sky......but i have to think with this new drone world, i should at least own it around my house up to some elevation (100 feet or whatever the number might be).

Since no one knows what they are filming, the question becomes are they filming people inside their homes (i.e. peeping Tom)?

I could film someone inside their home from the sidewalk. It's up to them to close their curtains.

This seems to be a bit different though (maybe not). If the drone is hovered over public property the whole time filming, is that illegal?

If a drone is hovering at 15 feet around my house.....and my house is 25 feet tall.....is that different than someone just walking (trespassing) around my place?

Interesting question and I wonder if it's dependent where it's hovering.

If it's hovering over a public area (sidewalk) can it go to any height and still be legal?

If it's hovering over your property (at any height) does that make it illegal? I think it might.

To add to the discussion, if drones hovering over public areas are not okay (not saying it is or isn't) what does that mean for something like Google's street views? I have seen my home on there but never gave consent for a photo of my home to be taken. Same thing for those aerial photographers who take pictures of your home and land then come to you and attempt to sell you the pictures. No consent is typically given prior to the pictures being taken so are they violating my privacy? And what about the Air Force surveillance drones much higher in the atmosphere that monitor all of us?

::sits patiently waiting on the Eagles to take them down::

drones may add a different layer to this because of the 'airspace' thing, but maybe not, I don't know

but I wouldn't need your consent to stand on the sidewalk and take pictures of your house

I mean....by definition already you have some ownership of the air around your house.......a neighbor can't run a clothesline completely across your property at 6 feet high or the like even though nothing is touching your dirt. Airspace ownership at lower levels is going to have to get defined by states and the federal govt. if it hasn't already.

I suspect you're right

I thought this was interesting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_rights

Thanks RockChucker,
I think this is an area of law that does need to be expanded/defined. In the current world probably more important that any new rules on the financial industry.

Further action...apparently it is disturbing to lots of people that we have no clue who is running these.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zo...ystery-drones-over-colorado-and-nebraska

I would think if it was an innocent item the operator(s) would have contacted the appropriate gov't agencies. However, silence can be deafening.

Has it been determined that it is illegal for them to fly them where they're being flown? And/or, is there some requirement that they notify someone before flying them where they're being flown?

They flew in some restricted airspace by some airports from what I've read. Although, who knows if the reporter was correct on the facts.

ah, then that could change things

This brings to mind a book my dad gave me when he got back from Viet Nam - called Wellspring by Edward Hawkins. Doesn't have drones in it, but was based on wiping out our military by poisoning the water in the Colorado Rocky Mountains (I grew up in Colorado Springs). Totally scary book to a young teenager.

Back to the drones... I saw that local law enforcement had close-up views of some of them, flying in formation sometimes up to 4 at a time. And their wingspan was in "feet" meaning they aren't junior's Wal-Mart variety. Sounds like military to me.