Heath DPS completes Drone Workshop

(HEATH, TX – Jan. 301, 2017) With a specific mission at a soccer stadium filled to capacity with fans, and a short amount of time in which to complete the mission, each officer cautiously picked up the controls and with little instruction, flew a drone for the very first time.

Some flew the drone straight into the interior wall of the soccer stadium venue, causing it to crash to the ground. One officer flew so high that the drone was never again to be seen. At a rough estimate, approximately $15,000 worth of drones were trashed in the space of 20 minutes.

Fortunately, these officers were using a simulator on a 12-foot screen. So none of damage and loss were real. However, it a realistic demonstration on how easy it is to lose control of a drone if you are not familiar with how to operate one. With 2.5 million drones sold in 2016, that’s an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimate, it’s not uncommon for this scenario to play out in real life.

The FAA, with the authorization of the U.S. Department of Transportation, regulates the navigable airspace above us. That’s a lot of airspace, and the FAA recognizes that they do not have the resources to police such vast areas.

So in August 2016, the FAA issued a guideline to Law Enforcement Agencies stating that “local law enforcement are often in the best position to deter, detect, immediately investigate, and, as appropriate, pursue enforcement actions to stop unauthorized drone operations.”

In response to this FAA mandate, Chief Terry Garret of The City of Heath Department of Public Safety (DPS) arranged for each Heath DPS shift of officers to attend a First Responder Educational Workshop, presented by AirGeo Systems LLC.

During the nearly three-hour workshop, DPS officers learned about the current FAA regulations for both recreational and commercial drone operation, FAA recommendations for policing these regulations, and when local law enforcement agencies should contact the FAA regarding illegal or dangerous drone usage. Heath DPS officers also learned about Texas State privacy laws and how they dictate specific drone usage to protect property and privacy.

“This is a new area of policing for departments around the country. It is important for all drone owners to know the rules so that they can operate safely and legally,” said Chief Garrett.

FAA regulations require that all drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs and less the 55 lbs be registered through the FAA website. These drones cannot be flown above 400 feet high; they must avoid manned aircraft; they cannot fly over crowds or individuals; and they must have permission from the airport and Air Traffic Control if flying within five miles of an airport.

Heath DPS Officers may need a little more actual drone flight training on the simulator, but they are now very familiar with the FAA rules and regulations regarding drone flight in Heath and Rockwall County.

Learn more about recreational drone regulations at knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Submitted by Mark Brooke, AirGeo Systems LLC, info@airgeosys.