A Mississippi man has built his own army of drones and his neighbors aren’t happy about it, WMC Action News 5 reports.
Robert Estes controls the drone army from his own command center, where he can fly all over Southhaven, Miss. and further, viewing the countryside and its residents. The cameras on his drones can record video and one can use infrared thermal imaging to see human movement inside of homes.
Some of his neighbors are concerned, but Estes claims he has not broken any laws.
Estes said he has used his drones for many public services including missing persons’ cases and bridge inspections.
“You can do good things with this, or you can do bad things with this,” Estes told WMC Action News 5. “I just wanted to take it to the next level.”
After incidents of drone use near airports and large crowds, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a document in June explaining their interpretation of federal drone regulations.
The guidance came after incidents involving the reckless use of unmanned model aircraft near airports and involving large crowds of people.
“If its for hobby or recreation you don’t need specific FAA approval but you do need to operate within these regulations,” FAA representative Les Dorr told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “It it’s just your average citizen taking one out and flying it this is going to govern what you are going to be able to do.”
According to a press release issued with the interpretation, model aircraft flying within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and air traffic control tower. They also must be flown strictly for hobby and recreational purposes.
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