Arlington gets Drones

[Trip McNeely]

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/tarrant/Arlington-gets-FAA-approval-for-drone-program-196234701.html

Arlington gets FAA approval for drone program


WFAA

Posted on March 7, 2013 at 9:45 PM

ARLINGTON -- Arlington police confirmed to News 8 their drone program has been given the okay by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Thursday, the FAA approved the department's waiver to use two remote-controlled helicopters for missions across the city. Previously, the department has only used the drones in a restricted area for practice.

The Arlington PD told News 8 in February they plan to use the choppers for SWAT and search-and-rescue missions, not for routine patrol.

It will be the first drone program in North Texas.

[lowthreeohz]

They had them before the superbowl, and were flying around gathering BT and wifi data.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Will I get in trouble for shooting at them?

[Trip McNeely]

Will I get in trouble for shooting at them?

Probably, but that would be awesome.

[DallasSleeper]

Depending on what they are using you will never know that they are there. My exposure to drones in Iraq was eye opening. I never saw one or heard one but they were over us on almost every mission. They are fairly quiet and fly at pretty high altitudes

[momo]

i hope skynet causes them to destroy their creators.

[Sgt Beavis]

I'm sorry officer, we mistook if for a clay pigeon.

[Trip McNeely]

I think the military ones flew several miles above, these I doubt would be that high up as they probably aren't that technological.

[BERNIE MOSFET]

Depending on what they are using you will never know that they are there. My exposure to drones in Iraq was eye opening. I never saw one or heard one but they were over us on almost every mission. They are fairly quiet and fly at pretty high altitudes

These are small rotorcraft. 25lbs; 5ft in length.

[white88]

I wonder how long it takes until they're used on routine patrol?

[Trip McNeely]

I wonder how long it takes until they're used on routine patrol?

Not long. I mean why stop with special ops/swat? More convictions and revenue to pay them off.

[Slow Five-O]

Depending on what they are using you will never know that they are there. My exposure to drones in Iraq was eye opening. I never saw one or heard one but they were over us on almost every mission. They are fairly quiet and fly at pretty high altitudes

These are just rc helicopters.



Edit: they're talking about it on russ martin.

[white88]

Not long. I mean why stop with special ops/swat? More convictions and revenue to pay them off.

I agree, they'll start making excuses to use them, then next thing you know they're everywhere. FTD!!!

[Denny]

The ones that the DHS used during the Superbowl are not the same as what the City of Arlington will use. It'll be the 4 propped pancake helicopter.

[BERNIE MOSFET]

Also, if they stay in Arlington city limits, these are limited to operating outside Class B airspace so will typically not be operating above 3000 ft.