Actually the policy sounds quite sensible and doesn't sound like it will lead to a permanent ban--just a policy about how you can or cannot annoy your fellows in a commons.<p>As the sky gets fuller, it will be less and less likely that users will be able to get away with acting like they are the only ones flying.
I get the complaints about noise and potential danger. Some of these drones are potentially lethal! When I'm flying my drone, I am always very careful to look for areas without unaware bystanders and where I won't be a nuisance. For the more advanced drones being built and bought today, they typically use an autopilot with a GPS and barometric sensor to assist hovering and positioning. If any part of the system fails, it can very easily come crashing down or even worse, become a "fly-away" and land who-knows-where.<p>Given these issues, I do understand the reasoning behind the ban. At the same time, I cringe because it will likely be years before one will be able to get a permit to fly in a national park again, and given some of the footage I've shot so far from my drone, I would have loved the opportunity to shoot locations to which I couldn't walk or hike.<p>If you want to see an example of what one of them looks like and what they can do, take a look here:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDF3-35aekk" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDF3-35aekk</a>
As long as there are reasonable exceptions for legitimate scientific work (and I'm sure there are).<p>In Yellowstone, there's a scenic overlook where you can look through a telescope at a distant hot springs. The springs have a thin crust over boiling mud, so humans cannot enter them. I can see valuable scientific research on such areas using inexpensive drones.
I was in Zion National Park about a month ago and overheard two rangers talking about these drones. At the time, it was illegal to take off or land inside the park but, as they did not control the airspace, you could fly them in the air.
I'm guessing this won't be the last place unmanned aircraft get banned. Probably the places they can actually be flown might eventually be fewer than the places they are banned.<p>In fact, I am guessing as the technology matures and inevitable problems arise because of drones, rather than addressing the problems and working out a solution the first response will generally be....."Ban It!". This might change when/if demonstrable public benefits (beyond a guy taking some pictures) arise.
i am all for this ban.<p>but how are they going to enforce this? drones will increasingly be able to flown from miles away.<p>are they going to shoot them down?
Yes, because you will use "public" lands and enjoy them in exactly and only in the way we tell you to.<p>This is just a precursor to them selling a permit for $1000 a day or something.