Monterey car week and drones

[NV Stig]

One of my good friends is a drone pilot and gets some really good action shots with Red Bull ski events and motorcycle events. He's very capable and professional. He's expressing interest in doing some aerial stuff at the Monterey car week events. Now that drones are a part of life, for better or worse, what is the opinion on having a drone hovering over your dream machine taking pictures? Would that be a spooky thing and creepy/ bothersome/ annoying?
Or, would action shots over the corkscrew and aerial shots over Pebble Beach be a cool thing? Would the Werks Reunion types like that or say no? He can get good footage from 50-100' in the air, or bring it in close for a special request. Thoughts? Just trying to get a consensus on subject. I'm sure there will be a couple Phantom's hovering over say Carmel on Thursday or something.

[Gburner]

Seems a good question for off topic.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-crim...ain-locations/

"WASHINGTON -- Operators who fly drones or model planes near or over large sports stadiums and auto racetracks are breaking the law and can be fined and imprisoned for up to a year, the Federal Aviation Administration warned in a notice posted on the agency's website".

Drones are illegal at large sporting events so why should they be overhead at laguna Seca on a crowded day?
Drones flying overhead do not help to create a vintage atmosphere.
At any rate I've never seen a camera drone and thought "thank goodness".

[a911s]

Your friend needs a three million dollar liability policy, a LLC incorporation, and a good lawyer.

Best bet is to contact any venue for written permission beforehand.

[G50911]

i personally, love some of the footage i've seen from drones. as a long time RC guy (planes, cars, helis, boats etc.) i've even thought about getting one myself. but like a911s states, the liability is pretty high. a local cars and coffee banned drones from filming at their event. the risk that the drone could crash into a car or hit a person is very possible with equipment malfunction, pilot error or even weather conditions as factors. on a side note, i'm really surprised the AMA isn't adding drones to their coverage policy.

[NV Stig]

I wasn't sure where to put this post initially, sorry. He has the insurance, no venue approval as of yet. He's seeing if there is a market out there for this type of footage, he's interested in making some money. I guess I'm asking would there be an interest in this or would it be a non starter as a form of entertainment. Yours you be concerned about this type of footage happening? Some of his work. He can change the music to the venue obviously
https://youtu.be/TOh4yAG9R70
https://youtu.be/eGGbwT_DZHA

[GeorgeJ]

i personally, love some of the footage i've seen from drones. as a long time RC guy (planes, cars, helis, boats etc.) i've even thought about getting one myself. but like a911s states, the liability is pretty high. a local cars and coffee banned drones from filming at their event. the risk that the drone could crash into a car or hit a person is very possible with equipment malfunction, pilot error or even weather conditions as factors. on a side note, i'm really surprised the AMA isn't adding drones to their coverage policy.

I agree with the points above as well as other cautionary comments. As a participant (though not this year due to a conflict) I would have concerns with drones attempting to cover the event. At a minimum they could be distracting and an error that causes a failure over the track could have dire consequences. One drone just moving vertically to gain a nice vantage would likely not present any problem but who is going to police it and what happens a few years down the road when a hundred folks show up with devices? My guess is a request would be denied. GJ

[JH0524]

I wasn't sure where to put this post initially, sorry. He has the insurance, no venue approval as of yet.

But is he licensed? How do we know every drone we see overhead is piloted by a competent individual? Is his transmitter secure? Is the system sensitive to stray RF signals?

I would not want his drone dropping onto my car, insurance or not.

[jameshtaylor]

Tell the idiot to stay home. Distractions are just what we need on the race track.

[Manny Alban]

Drones not allowed at Werks Reunion or any PCA events. I'm betting the folks at Laguna Seca would appreciate your friend asking permission instead of forgiveness.

[72targa]

http://www.mazdaraceway.com/blog-entry/no-drone-zone