About Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch is a multimedia reporter for the Adirondack Explorer. He can be reached at mike@adirondackexplorer.org. Sign up for Mike’s newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mi Dronze says

    I believe that we all need to consider that there are many many reasons that folks out there demand “better” laws to protect their perceived rights as a hiker or outdoorsman, and reasons for others against creating legislation that prevents our use of state land (wilderness or other).

    Ulterior motives aside, I believe that we are at the beginning of a revolution on unmanned personal flight equipment.

    Two of the overshadowing issues that many folks are concerned about are first noise, then safety.

    Noise concerns are for the wildlife, and for the hiker looking to experience the “solitude” of the Adirondacks. Rather than locking out drone use altogether, manage them to prevent or minimize invasion of personal space. Set a limit of 100 yards from another hiker.

    Additionally, the noise issue is not permanent piece of drone hardware characteristics. The current models outbthere are only the most recent

    by There are currently personal spaces that would better address those concerns. no more a concern than airplanes that fly overhead transporting folks and or equipment.

  2. Brian Holder says

    To me, a person should be allowed to fly a drone in any public airspace as long as he/she does not break any FAA rules and does not bother anyone, or negatively impact the environment. Respecting the privacy and liberty of others is of vital.

    A person smoking, walking their dog, camping, riding a bike, walking off the trail, etc will do more harm and have far greater negative impact than a photographer with a drone attempting to capture a wilderness scene.

  3. kathy says

    Drone users will defend their rights to use them for their personal enjoyment same as snowmobiles will with their sleds. If you don’t have one the noise and visual is considered intrusive when you are looking for unspoiled and quiet areas. Snowmobiles are not allowed everywhere indiscriminately,that’s why they have designated trails as drones should. Your personal freedom ends at your personal space.

  4. James Bullard says

    I am a photographer. I don’t have a drone, yet. I’d like one for the creative options it would allow me. Too many times I see things in the Adirondacks I’d love to make a good photo of but due to the terrain, there is no place I can stand and get an unobstructed view. A drone would let me ‘stand’ in places I otherwise could not.

    I understand the noise and privacy concerns of some folks but IMO that is a matter of courtesy, just like I don’t make a habit of photographing the Amish who live around me because I know they don’t like to be photographed. The idea that I could later be ticketed and fined for making a photograph using a drone when there was no one else around to be bothered by it is kind of silly IMO.

    Remember, drones can fly for only a few minutes per charge usually 15-20 minutes. It isn’t like an airplane going over or a person smoking and polluting the air for a 100-foot radius or even a person having a loud cellphone conversation on a summit (happens all the time). And then there are the crowds in the High Peaks. I don’t go to the High Peaks on weekends anymore, especially holiday weekends. Solitude? Wildness? Ha! Surely you jest.

    I know there need to be some limits just like we need some limits on hiking in the High Peaks but please, let’s not make them too draconian. Licensing, education and courtesy would go a long way.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *