It's a bird! It's a plane! It's an unmanned aircraft!
By Breanna Calahan August 23, 2017
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an unmanned aircraft!
According to the Chicago Tribune, over the past year more than 180,000 people and over 1 million dollars have been invested in buying a drone. Whether for personal or commercial use, the use of these “ unmanned aerial vehicles” is becoming more than a passing fad. As the use of drones continues to grow, so must the regulations that Illinois has in place. Chicago and surrounding areas have strict rules in regards to flying drones that they enforce along side the Federal Aviation Administration. Fines for breaking any laws can range from $ 500 to $5,000. Patrick Whelan, a resident of McHenry County for 20 years, feels that these fines are not only fair, but necessary to ensure cooperation and privacy on your property. Not all residents are on the same page; Joce Simon, also a resident of McHenry County for over two decades, feels that drones can do more good than harm. The Palos Radio Control Flying Club supports both points of view. Their goal is to help educate new drone flyers, as well as the general public, to understand the rules, dangers and the advantages of drones. As with any growing technology, drones have negative and positive impacts on society. Drones can disrupt privacy, take illegal footage and even interfere with landings and take-offs at surrounding airports. McHenry County is encouraging its residents to get educated before they take flight. If used effectively and safely drones can be the start of a new business, a learning opportunity for children, a real estate assistant and even a helping hand searching for criminals and missing persons. It is important for everyone to be aware of the rules and guidelines as drones begin to take over the Illinois sky.
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an unmanned aircraft!
According to the Chicago Tribune, over the past year more than 180,000 people and over 1 million dollars have been invested in buying a drone. Whether for personal or commercial use, the use of these “ unmanned aerial vehicles” is becoming more than a passing fad. As the use of drones continues to grow, so must the regulations that Illinois has in place. Chicago and surrounding areas have strict rules in regards to flying drones that they enforce along side the Federal Aviation Administration. Fines for breaking any laws can range from $ 500 to $5,000. Patrick Whelan, a resident of McHenry County for 20 years, feels that these fines are not only fair, but necessary to ensure cooperation and privacy on your property. Not all residents are on the same page; Joce Simon, also a resident of McHenry County for over two decades, feels that drones can do more good than harm. The Palos Radio Control Flying Club supports both points of view. Their goal is to help educate new drone flyers, as well as the general public, to understand the rules, dangers and the advantages of drones. As with any growing technology, drones have negative and positive impacts on society. Drones can disrupt privacy, take illegal footage and even interfere with landings and take-offs at surrounding airports. McHenry County is encouraging its residents to get educated before they take flight. If used effectively and safely drones can be the start of a new business, a learning opportunity for children, a real estate assistant and even a helping hand searching for criminals and missing persons. It is important for everyone to be aware of the rules and guidelines as drones begin to take over the Illinois sky.
