Ah, the end of a glorious spring day. The sun is setting, neighbors are out for walks, and the air is perfumed by the sweet aroma of blossoms. Suddenly — bzzzzzzzz — the dozy scene is interrupted by the quick takeoff of a drone.
It happened just like that on a recent Saturday at Everett’s American Legion Memorial Park.
From a bench near the bluff overlooking Port Gardner, a man sat taking in the view. He attracted no attention until his remote-controlled drone, illuminated by bright lights, took off from the grass and zipped skyward.
The Yuneec Q500+ Typhoon quadcopter flew above the trees and out toward the water, then back for a soft landing. Amazed, kids in the park ran toward the unmanned craft.
It was a glimpse at a future that’s already here. But it turns out flying drones isn’t an activity allowed in Everett parks. “Currently our park codes prohibit drones,” Everett Parks Director Lori Cummings said Tuesday.
She cited the Everett Municipal Code, 9.06.140, which says: “It is unlawful to operate any remote control and/or motorized model aircraft, rocket, watercraft or similar device in any park.” The code also bans hang gliders and hot air balloons in parks, except with the city’s permission.
Although violating the code could bring a citation and a fine, Cummings said if a park ranger sees someone piloting a drone “our first choice is education and information.” The rule isn’t new. As far as changing it as the popularity of drones grows, “we have not seen the demand,” she said.
National Park Service spokesman Jeffrey Olson said his agency also bans drones in parks. Park officials have had complaints from visitors about safety, noise and wildlife harassment related to drones, he said Tuesday. The current ban is in place as the National Park Service works out an administrative rule related to drones, which Olson said could take more than a year.
If you find some place to legally use a drone, Allen Kenitzer of the Federal Aviation Administration suggests looking at the Know Before You Fly website. Created by the FAA in partnership with industry groups, it has information for recreational use of unmanned aircraft, as well as for use by businesses and public agencies.
The site explains how to register a drone. As of Dec. 21, all drones weighing just a tad over a half pound, including cameras, must be registered with the FAA. Recreational aircraft can’t weigh more than 55 pounds unless they are certified through inspections, flight testing and other requirements.
Kenitzer, spokesman for the FAA’s Northwest Mountain Region, listed basic safety guidelines: Stay away from airports, fly below 400 feet, always keep a drone within sight — and “don’t do crazy, stupid things,” he said. Pilots also should check local laws and not photograph people where there’s an expectation of privacy.
“The whole issue of privacy is still being worked out,” Kenitzer said.
The FAA prohibits most commercial drone flights over populated areas, but is drafting rules that could clear the way for package delivery.
Toby Barnett, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Realty in Marysville, uses his drone to create video presentations of homes for sale. Last May, the FAA granted Barnett a Section 333 exemption that allows business use of his drone.
A self-taught drone pilot, Barnett bought his DJI Phantom 2 in 2014. With a GoPro camera, he uses it to make videos of homes on the market and their surroundings.
“It still makes me nervous having drones carry objects over people’s heads,” said Barnett, who also uses his drone for recreation. He has shot images of waterfalls and other outdoor scenery.
“I’m very open and visible when I’m flying,” Barnett said. “I haven’t had anybody get upset with me. I answer people’s questions. It helps if you don’t look like a creepazoid, too.”
Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; jmuhlstein@heraldnet.com.
Drone know-how
Safety guidelines for drones and registration information are available for recreational fliers, business users and public entities at: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org
The Federal Aviation Administration lists dos and don’ts for recreational flying of small, unmanned aircraft at:
www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators/
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