Open Forum

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

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Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
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My parent organization, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, is the foremost nonprofit entity and community liaison between the community and the FAA.

I'd recommend contacting Chad Budreau, head of Public Relations & Government affairs about your questions regarding drone use. His email address is chadb@modelaircraft.org and his number is 765-287-1256 x227. 

Good luck! 

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Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Education Specialist
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

Leach Botanical Garden is a City of Portland Park facility operated by our non-profit friends' group.  The Park bureau of the city has banned drone use completely over city parks.  However,  part of our business activity includes hosting weddings in the historic estate.   Photographers have increasingly wanted to use drones.  We have said 'no' because of disruption to peaceful public use of the facility and the risk of crashes and damage to collection plantings such as trees.   

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David Porter
Executive Director
Leach Botanical Garden
Portland OR
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2017 10:46 AM
From: Claire Aldenhuysen
Subject: Drones

My parent organization, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, is the foremost nonprofit entity and community liaison between the community and the FAA.

I'd recommend contacting Chad Budreau, head of Public Relations & Government affairs about your questions regarding drone use. His email address is chadb@modelaircraft.org and his number is 765-287-1256 x227. 

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Claire Aldenhuysen
Museum Education Specialist
National Model Aviation Museum, Academy of Model Aeronautics
Muncie IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

I ibelieve this question came up before and there were some good answers.  Last year I set a policy at Boscobel that disallows the use of drones over the public part of our property during open hours.  (We have about 100 acres, 60 of which are open to visitors.)  There are several reasons for this.  We note it on our website and there is a sign at our admission desk.  If there is a trangression and employees become aware of it, the policy is explained to the transgressor who is politely invited to cease and desist.  We have had very few such incidents.

Steve

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Steven Miller
Executive Director
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

We are located  on a closed US Air Force base.  At closure the base was turned over to Sacramento County.  The air field is currently used by a Coast Guard AIr Station, US Forest Service Air Attack Base, the Calif Dept of Forestry & Fire aviation maintenance center, an emergency medical evacuation helicopter operation, at least one law enforcement agency helicopter and several executive aircraft leasing companies Our location is within approx 200 yards of the active runway, so we haven't had any problems - so far.  

   

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Raymond Meyer
Safety-Security Manager
Aerospace Museum of California
McClellan, CA 95652
safety-security@aerospaceca.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2017 11:57 AM
From: Steven Miller
Subject: Drones

I ibelieve this question came up before and there were some good answers.  Last year I set a policy at Boscobel that disallows the use of drones over the public part of our property during open hours.  (We have about 100 acres, 60 of which are open to visitors.)  There are several reasons for this.  We note it on our website and there is a sign at our admission desk.  If there is a trangression and employees become aware of it, the policy is explained to the transgressor who is politely invited to cease and desist.  We have had very few such incidents.

Steve

------------------------------
Steven Miller
Executive Director
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

Hi Kurt,
I know that you have the same problems with drones at St. Augustine Lighthouse that we have at Split Rock Lighthouse.  Due to at least two drones crashing, and very near misses, with the lighthouse, we have instated a no-fly policy for our 25-acre historic site and National Historic Landmark.  We have signs posted at the entrance to the site stating our policy and we have posted it on our website.  

Split Rock Lighthouse is a part of the Minnesota State Historic Sites Network which is administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.  Using our no-fly policy for Split Rock as a template all MNHS sites are now off limits to drones.  It also helps to enforce it that we are less than five miles from the nearest airport.  

A good website for drone pilots that has been developed into an app for smartphones is Know Before You Fly  by the Federal Aviation Administration.  

When you have a high-visitation historic site with sensitive historic structures it is not a compatible environment for unmanned aircraft.

------------------------------
Lee Radzak
Site Manager
Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

Thanks so much for your insight!

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-30-2017 05:05 PM
From: Lee Radzak
Subject: Drones

Hi Kurt,
I know that you have the same problems with drones at St. Augustine Lighthouse that we have at Split Rock Lighthouse.  Due to at least two drones crashing, and very near misses, with the lighthouse, we have instated a no-fly policy for our 25-acre historic site and National Historic Landmark.  We have signs posted at the entrance to the site stating our policy and we have posted it on our website.  

Split Rock Lighthouse is a part of the Minnesota State Historic Sites Network which is administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.  Using our no-fly policy for Split Rock as a template all MNHS sites are now off limits to drones.  It also helps to enforce it that we are less than five miles from the nearest airport.  

A good website for drone pilots that has been developed into an app for smartphones is Know Before You Fly  by the Federal Aviation Administration.  

When you have a high-visitation historic site with sensitive historic structures it is not a compatible environment for unmanned aircraft.

------------------------------
Lee Radzak
Site Manager
Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul MN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

I second contacting the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) as mentioned already. They are super helpful on suggesting ways of managing these types of issues.

As a museum employee and a drone pilot myself I can see the issue from two perspectives. On one hand I would like the drone to get out of the area since it may damage property and on the other It's cool someone is interested in our museum enough to fly their drone to view and possibly record video of our museum!

You certainly don't want to have a situation where a drone may fall and damage property or people. On the other hand it may be more productive and welcoming to consider embracing the drone community in your area. This could serve multiple functions. You could actually invite drone pilots to a drone day, where they would be able to capture your awesome museum with aerial photos and video. This would allow you and others to learn more about drones and at the same time set the constraints of flying near the museum. The AMA can help you with organizing a event of this type if you decided to go this route. I think it would make your museum appear progressive and welcoming to groups who may want to fly a drone near your museum because they think it's a cool place to view from a drone. You can also collect these videos on a youtube page that would actually increase traffic to your museum.

Here are some examples of museums hosting drone events:
MEET THE DRONES DAY AT THE MUSEUM | Frontiers of Flight Museum
"Unmanned and Sunny" Drone Education Event | Florida Air Museum

You could go another route and find out your local laws about drones and radio control aircraft. You may be able to call the police on the drone and pilot. Although I don't think this would be very good pr. Finding and talking to the drone pilot in a professional manner and working with them to understand your concerns might work better than you imagine as well.

In the extreme, you could also build or buy a device to safely ground the drone, however the legality of these items is still being established. As a drone pilot I find these devices interesting, since they bring a drone down safely without damaging it and send a clear message that drone piloting is not wanted in a specific area.

Long-Distance Jammer Is Taking Down Drones | Make:
Build a Wi-Fi Drone Disabler with Raspberry Pi | Make:

------------------------------
Daniel Meyer
Fab Lab Manager
Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago IL

Original Message------

I second contacting the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) as mentioned already. They are super helpful on suggesting ways of managing these types of issues.

As a museum employee and a drone pilot myself I can see the issue from two perspectives. On one hand I would like the drone to get out of the area since it may damage property and on the other It's cool someone is interested in our museum enough to fly their drone to view and possibly record video of our museum!

You certainly don't want to have a situation where a drone may fall and damage property or people. On the other hand it may be more productive and welcoming to consider embracing the drone community in your area. This could serve multiple functions. You could actually invite drone pilots to a drone day, where they would be able to capture your awesome museum with aerial photos and video. This would allow you and others to learn more about drones and at the same time set the constraints of flying near the museum. The AMA can help you with organizing a event of this type if you decided to go this route. I think it would make your museum appear progressive and welcoming to groups who may want to fly a drone near your museum because they think it's a cool place to view from a drone. You can also collect these videos on a youtube page that would actually increase traffic to your museum.

Here are some examples of museums hosting drone events:
MEET THE DRONES DAY AT THE MUSEUM | Frontiers of Flight Museum
"Unmanned and Sunny" Drone Education Event | Florida Air Museum

You could go another route and find out your local laws about drones and radio control aircraft. You may be able to call the police on the drone and pilot. Although I don't think this would be very good pr. Finding and talking to the drone pilot in a professional manner and working with them to understand your concerns might work better than you imagine as well.

In the extreme, you could also build or buy a device to safely ground the drone, however the legality of these items is still being established. As a drone pilot I find these devices interesting, since they bring a drone down safely without damaging it and send a clear message that drone piloting is not wanted in a specific area.

Long-Distance Jammer Is Taking Down Drones | Make:
Build a Wi-Fi Drone Disabler with Raspberry Pi | Make:

------------------------------
Daniel Meyer
Fab Lab Manager
Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago IL

in re: eagles vs drones:

Police train birds of prey to catch ill-eagle drones, Netherlands

YouTube		remove preview
Police train birds of prey to catch ill-eagle drones, Netherlands Netherlands Police say they are "investigating the possibility" that birds of prey could be used to "prevent unwanted drone use." Though the eagles' sharp talons are an easy match for the drones seen here, the police said the safety of the birds would be investigated as trials continue. View this on YouTube >

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Kevin Coffee
Oneida Community Mansion House
Oneida, NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2017 10:15 AM
From: Lee Radzak
Subject: Drones

Just one more weigh in on the drone issue.  

​Daniel Meyer, in his 1/31 drone post makes some good suggestions about possibly concentrating drone use to one special "drone day" event.  Our historic site is a light station on the shore of Lake Superior and has become very attractive to drone operators to capture aerial footage of the scenic lighthouse and shoreline.  

Problems cropped up immediately after the first drone video was posted of the site.  Even though the 25-acre historic site, and the surrounding 2200-acre state park are both no-fly zones we have had to deal with up to three drone incidents a week.  Drone activity above and around the site is extremely disruptive to outdoor tours and interpretive activities.  We have also had at least two drones crash into the cliff or into the Lake Superior, narrowly missing the lighthouse with its irreplaceable 3rd-order Fresnel lens.  

One other concern at our location is that of a nesting peregrine falcon population in the immediate area.  I have not seen it yet, but these birds are predators and very territorial and could easily mistake a drone for another bird.  The Minnesota DNR is concerned about interaction of drones with breeding falcon populations.  

I am not against drones.  They are very cool and do serve a legitimate purpose.  The problem arises with drone hobbyists who either don't understand the concerns, or just don't care.  

 

Lee Radzak

Historic Site Manager
Split Rock Lighthouse
Minnesota Historical Society
218.226.6372

www.splitrocklighthouse.org

Check Split Rock Lighthouse out on Facebook

We are a state park on the Ohio River with an expansive fossil bed when the river is low. In other words, a great place for drones. Except that it is against federal fly them here: The park is in a National Wildlife Conservation Area, next to a navigational dam, and directly below the flight line for the community's busy airport. It is also illegal to fly a drone in any Indiana state park unless it is approved by management in advance.

Does that stop people? (Rhetorical question...) I've 'talked down" more drone operators than I can remember. One complained that there wasn't a sign. When I pointed out that all he had to do was look at the bulletin board 30-feet from where he stood, that quieted him down. It doesn't occur to any of them that a park would be off-limits. Do drones user's manual say anything about where to fly them? It should note that parks and historic sites don't allow drones in their airspace. (Not to mention stadiums, beaches, above crowds in general, etc.)

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------

For reputable drone suppliers the user manuals and even the outside of the box the drone is sold in includes information on responsible flying.  Most of the drones I have seen sold link to http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/
The know before you fly site is an excellent to read and then point drone users to so they can learn to become responsible flyers and also be open to why some areas are off limits for flying.
I have communicated with the AMA on multiple occasions and they have been super helpful with laws and procedures related to responsible use of drones and other model aviation topics.
I think for most museums a combo of embracing the drone community, and therefore responsible drone pilots, plus a plan of dealing with irresponsible drone pilots effectively would result in overall reduction of unwanted or unplanned drone flights.  I also think it's worth considering that the number of drone accidents that actually hurt property or people is extremely low and that other sources of damage are much more likely.  I feel that the media over dramatizes drones and we need to look at the facts around drones carefully when looking to protect our museums and our community.

------------------------------
Daniel Meyer
Fab Lab Manager
Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2017 01:00 PM
From: Alan Goldstein
Subject: Drones

We are a state park on the Ohio River with an expansive fossil bed when the river is low. In other words, a great place for drones. Except that it is against federal fly them here: The park is in a National Wildlife Conservation Area, next to a navigational dam, and directly below the flight line for the community's busy airport. It is also illegal to fly a drone in any Indiana state park unless it is approved by management in advance.

Does that stop people? (Rhetorical question...) I've 'talked down" more drone operators than I can remember. One complained that there wasn't a sign. When I pointed out that all he had to do was look at the bulletin board 30-feet from where he stood, that quieted him down. It doesn't occur to any of them that a park would be off-limits. Do drones user's manual say anything about where to fly them? It should note that parks and historic sites don't allow drones in their airspace. (Not to mention stadiums, beaches, above crowds in general, etc.)

------------------------------
Alan Goldstein
Interpretive Naturalist
Falls of The Ohio State Park Interpretive Center
Clarksville IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2017 09:43 AM
From: Kurt Sigmund
Subject: Drones

Has anyone had any issues with drones over their site? How have you dealt with it? Have you used any online tools to keep drone away from your museum location?

------------------------------
Kurt Sigmund
Museum Associate
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Jacksonville FL
------------------------------