drones in our skies

**RMarsh** · 03-08-2013, 08:10 AM

I know it isn't the case here since it seems to have been a hobby aircraft, but it would be extremely unlikely to find a military "drone" that close to a civilian approach corridor. And even more unlikely that an air traffic controller would not see something that big on his radar (reapers and global hawks are both bigger than an F-16) and not inform the Alitalia crew. By the way, I hate the term "drone", it's not only incorrect, as they still require a pilot to operate them, but when the media says it, it sounds sinister and manipulative. That being said, I imagine within the next few years you will see more and more stateside activity and sightings.

**carpedm** · 03-08-2013, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bruno

I still think they should paint them in interesting colors to make them look as if they are from a scifi movie.
They'd be much more interesting looking

Matte black with some blue LED lines, like KIT in knight rider, but in blue because blue LEDs are more 'ooh'

You don't need color to scare people! Here is a drone I built for a company that I no longer work for:

Name: excalibur.jpg
Views: 130
Size: 26.1 KB

Video: Aurora Excalibur VTOL UAV First Flight - YouTube

**Johnus** · 03-08-2013, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by BobH

Predator B drones are patrolling a large section of the Canada/US border now and the program will be expanded to cover the entire border in the future. There are some very high volume air traffic routes that bisect that border so drone sightings by airline crews will likely be more common than before.

US Drones Patrolling Canadian Border - More loss of sovereignty for Canadians - YouTube

They are pretty big and the unannounced appearance of one near an airliner just might cause increased blood pressure in the crew.

Bob

**ZeroCool** · 03-08-2013, 03:06 PM

If you really want to get freaked out, check the book "Kill Decision" by Daniel Swarez.

All of his books include actual technology that exists. This latest book is about autonomous drones that have target objectives and make kill decisions based off what they "see". It's terrifying to think there's no one commanding them and making the call.

Great book! Check out his other two also. All three are great reads that make you re-think allot of things.

Moral of the post...most times we only see the very tip of the iceberg...what they want us to see. These media story's are feelers for the gov to test our reactions and desensitize us for the future.

**regularjoe** · 03-08-2013, 03:06 PM

I believe the reason behind the naming was specifically to sound sinister and dangerous. They were built with a very specific tactical purpose, right? And then somebody was like "Hey, we can use these things for all kinds of stuff!" Just rename it, Citizen Safety Overwatch Unit, and we'll all feel better.

**BobH** · 03-08-2013, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Johnus

Understandable after what They did to the White House in 1812. Didn't you see the movie Canadian Bacon? 1st its Their Cell Phone Signals then who knows what!!

I've even seen Their funny money mixed in with ours!

You guys just can't let bygones be be bygones can you.

Bob

**BobH** · 03-08-2013, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by carpedm

You don't need color to scare people! Here is a drone I built for a company that I no longer work for:

Name: excalibur.jpg
Views: 130
Size: 26.1 KB

Skynet anyone?

The community that makes these things is actually pretty small. You should definitely be more worried about your neighbor trying to build one and failing during flight than one trying to harm you purposefully from the gov or a small business!

Thanks for posting that interesting vid. Interesting too is the VPs name, sorta goes well with the technology.

Bob

**Bruno** · 03-08-2013, 06:35 PM

That looks very nice. But I am still of the opinion that white is just white.
They should look ominous.

**carpedm** · 03-08-2013, 07:27 PM

The grey is chosen as it is the best color to blend into a cloudless sky at a certain altitude! They would rather you not see the airplane than see it and be scared!

**Otto** · 03-08-2013, 08:50 PM

I got an urge to buy a r/c black helicopter.

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