How low can you go?
May 11th, 2007It sure is interesting to view aerial images. I’ve seen photos taken of my own property from airplane and satellite, and I really don’t consider my “air space” to have been violated by such photographic methods. However, reading this article makes me wonder about the limits of such technology.
Made in Oklahoma: Cross Check Aerial ImagingThe Oklahoma City company specializes in low-altitude aerial photography, taking shots using a five-foot radio-controlled helicopter mounted with a digital camera. … able to get shots from 20 to 300 feet above the ground.
Company pilot Jarrett Watson explains:
“Full-size aircraft can’t fly below 500 feet without special clearances,” he said. “We get where other aircraft can’t get.”
Without knowing all the legalities of Oklahoma property rights, I am posting notice right here and now that if a five foot helicopter with a camera is flying 20 feet above my property, the last image it might receive is a close-up of the BB’s leaving the barrel of my 12 ga. shotgun.
My understanding of airspace property rights are derived from the following:
Today it is increasingly accepted that a landowner owns only the airspace that is reasonably necessary for the use or enjoyment of the land.
Flights over Land Which Interfere with Its Enjoyment and Use Are a Taking within the Meaning of the Fifth Amendment
Typically, in the “Uncontrolled” category of airspace, any pilot can fly any aircraft as low as he/she wants, subject to the requirement of maintaining a 500 foot distance from people and man-made structures except for purposes of take off and landing, and not causing any hazard.
My motto for such invasive photography: Over, and out.
May 11th, 2007 at 8:51 am
Mike, it ain’t just helicopters that invade our airspace. Piedmont seems to be a favorite location for hot air balloons to terrorize the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. At a minimum, these thoughtless ‘aviators’ are always astounded that most people don’t stare in awe at the spectacle, and don’t appreciate the obnoxious noises made by the release of excess hot air. I have a more significant problem with them in that a few years back, a balloon startled some young horses in my pasture so much that they took out a stretch of fence and made my vet a little richer. Obviously, it was hit and run since the balloon didn’t stop. Now, when I see a balloon coming, I hop in my truck and track down the ever present entourage of support vehicles trailing the damn thing. When I catch them, I inform them that a psychopathic manic has been spotted in the area shooting at large round noisy UFOs with a high-powered rifle. I get suspicious stares, but normally a few minutes later, the balloon either rises to the upper heavens, or lands in the nearest field.
It seems that just because they have unusual expensive toys, some people think their poop don’t stink.
May 16th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I wish you ran the Oklahoman instead of that Gay family.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
All Hillbilly’s toten 12 ga Shot Guns take notice!
My Company is Professional Aerial Photgrapy Company Serving All of Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and Nebraska. We are not Evasive Photographers at all. We have a large client base, and we simply dont fly around taking unsolicited photo’s of personal and or private property.
We have a dedicated form that has our clients contact their neighbors and advise them that we will possibly be flying over their property. So neighbors privacy is not compromised.
Just be advised that we operate under Federal Aviation Regualtions, and that you in fact do not own the Airspace over your property, desipe what others may say on here. The NAS (National Airspace System) starts at the Surface and ends a FL600.
Feel Free to contact me if there are any more concerns regarding this matter, and best of all “Think Before you Shoot”
Your Finacial Future just might depend on it!
Jarrett Watson
Pilot- CrossCheck Aerial Imaging
February 26th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I still stand by my hillbilly statement, Mr. Watson.
I do not know what height FL600 refers to, but our residence has many trees on it upwards of 50 ft tall. Though I’m not really worried about your company taking unsolicited photos, if yours, or any other remote control aerial device with a camera is flying over my property at a height lower than my tree tops, I will consider it nothing more than a fancy clay pigeon.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Mr. Watson,
Scenario:
A. A herd of young domestic critters is grazing peacefully in their owner’s pasture.
B. A neighbor has contracted to have aerial photographs taken at some future time.
C. The neighbor advises the herd to not be startled when a loud strange predator
suddenly looms 50 feet overhead while in route to the neighbor’s property.
D. The heard ignores the neighbor’s advice and wildly stampedes in all directions.
Results:
A. The neighbor gets great pictures.
B. Cross Check gets a great check.
C. Owner of herd gets a great vet bill and has to put down badly injured critters.
Saving grace:
A. Cross Check is operating according to FAA and NAS regulations.
Moral:
A. Cross Check is too cheap or ignorant to purchase modern cameras capable of producing
excellent pictures from thousands of feet above the surface.
B. Cross Check does not give a damn about the ancillary effects caused by its ‘mission’.
C. The avionic future of any device passing over my property is directly proportional to
the altitude of the device. In other words, the lower the thing is, the lower its
chances of ever flying again.
D. Mr. Watson is a selfish, inconsiderate asshole.
“Think Before you Invade” Your Finacial Future just might depend on it! (sic).