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Via Ars TechnicaDoes a flying cell-phone tower count as a drone? You decide. The bill Texas just passed that's awaiting a decision by Gov. Perry would regulate "unmanned aircraft." And under that statute, "In this chapter, 'image' means any capturing of sound waves, thermal, infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, or other electromagnetic waves, odor, or other conditions existing on or about real property in this state or an individual located on that property." So arguably this use would be illegal under Texas' bill. Should it be? Grits is not so sure. I'm less concerned with cell-phone companies using drones this way than, say, if law enforcement were to install a Stingray device on an unmanned aircraft. The latter should be outright banned. The former may be perfectly appropriate in a regulated environment and could be a tremendous boon to rural areas with poor cell-phone coverage.Grits believes there are a vast number of potential uses for "drones," far more than most people, and certainly most Texas legislators, have properly considered. Its principle saving grace is that, even if Gov. Perry signs it into law, it'll be a couple of years before the Federal Aviation Administration allow civilian drones in commercial airspace. So Texas will get another chance to get it right in 2015.Related:National expert laments Texas' drone billTop Five Things Wrong With Texas' Drone BillA path forward for state drone regulation
Clik here to view.
Via Ars TechnicaDoes a flying cell-phone tower count as a drone? You decide. The bill Texas just passed that's awaiting a decision by Gov. Perry would regulate "unmanned aircraft." And under that statute, "In this chapter, 'image' means any capturing of sound waves, thermal, infrared, ultraviolet, visible light, or other electromagnetic waves, odor, or other conditions existing on or about real property in this state or an individual located on that property." So arguably this use would be illegal under Texas' bill. Should it be? Grits is not so sure. I'm less concerned with cell-phone companies using drones this way than, say, if law enforcement were to install a Stingray device on an unmanned aircraft. The latter should be outright banned. The former may be perfectly appropriate in a regulated environment and could be a tremendous boon to rural areas with poor cell-phone coverage.Grits believes there are a vast number of potential uses for "drones," far more than most people, and certainly most Texas legislators, have properly considered. Its principle saving grace is that, even if Gov. Perry signs it into law, it'll be a couple of years before the Federal Aviation Administration allow civilian drones in commercial airspace. So Texas will get another chance to get it right in 2015.Related:National expert laments Texas' drone billTop Five Things Wrong With Texas' Drone BillA path forward for state drone regulation
