I wonder if a drone could be upgraded to fly under the radar from that Dedrone security techology. Or what if you send thousands of drones in a tight formation to fly over the campus and can jam the Dedrone security sensors from detecting anything.
I realize this is hyperbole, but Apple employees are not prohibited from quitting their jobs nor are they tortured every day.Apple is becoming like North Korea
Both private homeowners and corporations have successfully argued that they do own the airspace above (approximately 400 feet maximum) for various reasons (privacy and security respectively). I'm sure that Apple wouldn't have any problem getting approval to legally take action against all unauthorized drone flights. Which tells me that they currently do not have the right to take action against drones in flight. I'm sure they are gathering flight data as part of this argument to Cupertino courts for not only security, but also for protecting their secret IP from spying drones.But Apple doesn't own airspace around campus, do they?
Any critical infrastructure "owns" the airspace directly above the facilities to maintain safety and security. Apple could easily argue that they have valuable IP they need to protect from drones spying through those giant windows all around the building. I've even heard of some companies successfully keeping drones from flying over adjacent properties so anything is possible on a case by case basis.If the pilot is part 107 certified and has an Airspace Authorization for the SJC class C Airspace there isn't much Apple can do. He's operating within his legal authority as an FAA licensed UAS operator. The only exception would be if he was being unsafe in the airspace. Otherwise... there's not a darn thing Apple can do to "restrict" their own airspace, about the only thing they could do is prohibit take off and landing from their property, but if he takes off on a public sidewalk across the street.... tough cookies.
I’m just asking, chill.Good point. I’ll come over and hover my drone 10 feet above your house 24/7.
Good point. I’ll come over and hover my drone 10 feet above your house 24/7.
If anyone can figure out how to engineer a solar-powered, eco-friendly antiaircraft battery, Apple can.
As always, I respect all requests by Apple Security to land my drone and leave the area when asked to do so.
That’s not settled law, even after the SCOTUS has weighed in.The airspace above your house isn't your private property. Perfectly legal to fly over the Apple headquarters like this as long as its not a restricted airspace.
This is a variant of two posts: “This proves that Tim must go!” or “Apple can do this but they can’t give me X?!” I dislike both, but yours is funny, just a comment on time, and I have to agree with you.Sure they can, but if it takes them as long as putting together an update for the Mac mini, flying drones will be safe for a very long time to come...![]()
We'll soon have Apple interceptor drones shooting down spy-drones in the skies over Cupertino. It'd make great TV, shown in VR!
Let me know when Apple makes a computer that can do VR.
As someone who likes to push the limits, the FAA controls air above Apple Park, not Apple. If Apple security wants to do anything it should be to document and report the incident to the FAA. Their request to leave cannot include airspace. If the user launches from Apple property, then duh.. leave. But if you launch from other land your authorized to be on, and you've got your FAA clearances covered, your more than welcome to tell their security to go fly a kite.
I have a factory campus near my house that recently had an explosion and the company desperately tried to keep it under wraps about environmental damage. (Factory has many toxic chemicals) I flew my drone over the plant several weeks after to see extent of damage, and security approached me, told me I can't fly over their land. I told them, oh, do you have an FAA no fly zone, and then a bunch more showed up with their head guy. After explaining I was i was completely legal, showing all the right papers, they were forced to retreat angrily. Know your rules!
If the pilot is part 107 certified and has an Airspace Authorization for the SJC class C Airspace there isn't much Apple can do. He's operating within his legal authority as an FAA licensed UAS operator. The only exception would be if he was being unsafe in the airspace. Otherwise... there's not a darn thing Apple can do to "restrict" their own airspace, about the only thing they could do is prohibit take off and landing from their property, but if he takes off on a public sidewalk across the street.... tough cookies.
Both private homeowners and corporations have successfully argued that they do own the airspace above (approximately 400 feet maximum) for various reasons (privacy and security respectively). I'm sure that Apple wouldn't have any problem getting approval to legally take action against all unauthorized drone flights. Which tells me that they currently do not have the right to take action against drones in flight. I'm sure they are gathering flight data as part of this argument to Cupertino courts for not only security, but also for protecting their secret IP from spying drones.
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Any critical infrastructure "owns" the airspace directly above the facilities to maintain safety and security. Apple could easily argue that they have valuable IP they need to protect from drones spying through those giant windows all around the building. I've even heard of some companies successfully keeping drones from flying over adjacent properties so anything is possible on a case by case basis.
Can you blame them? It's private property and can become a safety hazard to people walking on campus. There are also privacy concerns of course.
Property owners cannot assert any ownership of airspace. By definition, airspace is public and regulated by the federal government.
That’s not settled law, even after the SCOTUS has weighed in.
Minor correction: navigable airspace. It's an important distinction.
The FAA controls airspace from ground level up. There have been a couple of legal cases concerning airspace over private property but, as Kabeyun pointed out, that's not settled law yet.
Currently, Hobbyist drone pilots can legally fly over Apple Campus all day long as long as there isn't a temporary flight restriction in place at the time and as long as the Hobbyist drone pilot NOTIFIES the airport operator and airport tower (if one exists) BEFORE flying. Notice I said notifies. A Hobbyist drone pilot does not need permission to fly in Class C airspace. Class C is NOT a no-fly zone. A Hobbyist drone pilot only needs to notify the operator and tower of his presence and time of flight.
Anyone interested in such matters should start with the FAA's FAQ page first:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/
Hobbyist drone pilots fall under the Special Rule (known as Section 336). There is a very specific set of conditions that a Hobbyist drone pilot must meet and follow to be considered a Hobbyist. Those conditions were established by Congress. Read the actual law here:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Sec_331_336_UAS.pdf
Scroll down to Sec 336 - Special Rule for Model Aircraft which states (in part):
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if—
(1) the aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use;
Sec 336 then provides the conditions. You'll notice that NOWHERE does it state that a Hobbyist drone pilot must ask permission. Rather, the Hobbyist drone pilot must NOTIFY when operating within 5 miles of an airport.
Apple's ONLY hope to eliminate drone flights over its property is to convince the FAA to make the area a no-fly zone. That seems highly unlikely.
Currently, a Hobbyist drone pilot can operate their drone over any private property as long as the property isn't in a no-fly zone AND proper notification has been given to any airport within 5 miles AND the drone operator isn't invading someone's reasonable expectation of privacy. Meaning, not hovering low over the property and pointing the camera into windows, etc.
The days of having an absolute expectation of privacy in your fenced backyard are over. It's up to the courts to determine what a "reasonable" expectation of privacy entails. But it's up to Congress to make it law. With regard to Hobbyist drone pilots, Congress is the only body that can change it. Congress has already told the FAA that it can't make rules to regulate Hobbyist drone pilots. It's the law.
Mark