House Approves Spending Bill For MORE Drones In U.S. Airspace. What Me Worry?

[twyacht]

And you think me and my tin-foil hats are silly.....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203889904577201170395161202.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle

U.S. Skies Could See More Drones
FAA Bill Sets Deadlines to Speed Up Use of Unmanned Planes Nationwide

By ANDY PASZTOR

Drones could soon expand far away from the battlefield to U.S. skies following agreement over a broad Federal Aviation Administration funding bill this week.

The four-year spending bill for the first time establishes specific deadlines designed to speed up the widespread use of unmanned planes, or drones, across the U.S. On Friday, the House passed the package in a 248-169 vote. The Senate is expected to approve the bill next week.

By September 2015, the bill calls for integrating a wide range of so-called unmanned aerial vehicles—operated by both governmental and corporate entities—with commercial and general aviation traffic across the nation's skies.

Unmanned aircraft currently can fly only in restricted areas over the U.S. That has kept their numbers low. Most are operated by federal agencies for law-enforcement or security purposes.

But under the FAA bill, proponents envision huge fleets of drones operated nationwide by states, local governments and companies. Unmanned aircraft can be as small as a hummingbird or have the wingspan of an airliner.

Among their uses are environmental monitoring, fire protection and surveillance of suspected criminals. Other potential roles include industrial jobs such as checking power lines and tracking equipment.

The $63-billion FAA bill, which was approved by House and Senate negotiators earlier this week, caps five years of disputes and nearly two dozen stopgap FAA funding bills. That short-term funding hampered the FAA's ability to plan and pay for certain long-term programs.

Among those delayed programs were FAA plans to speed up modernization of the nation's air-traffic control system. The agency wants to use GPS satellites as the backbone of a new system, dubbed NextGen, replacing the ground-based radars that are now standard. The ultimate goal is to rely on satellite signals to help pilots to set their own courses, fly more direct routes and keep track of surrounding aircraft, saving both time and fuel.

The funding package mandates that within five years, planes taking off and landing at the 35 busiest U.S. airports fly routes based on satellite navigation. Designed to save fuel, reduce emissions and alleviate congestion, the routes would have to be in place at practically all airports a year later, according to the FAA bill.

To encourage airlines to eventually rely entirely on the proposed, satellite-based system, the bill also authorizes creation of a first-of-its-kind federal loan-guarantee program specifically aimed at funding new airline-navigation equipment.

Together, the unmanned aircraft and air-traffic-control provisions push the agency to move faster in implementing changes long sought by industry groups. The FAA has moved cautiously in both areas, partly out of safety concerns and partly due to lack of clear congressional direction.

Now the legislation locks in stable funding and puts the onus on the agency to quickly launch a flurry of initiatives and studies in both areas. FAA officials will have to report progress to lawmakers regularly and, within a few years, are obligated to demonstrate significant advances.

Yet major challenges still confront many of the congressionally imposed deadlines.

Drone manufacturers, local governments and business groups have long complained about the FAA's go-slow approach to allowing unmanned and manned aircraft to share the same airspace. The bill, among other things, requires the FAA to move expeditiously to phase in operation of smaller drones and establish six test areas nationwide to demonstrate safety technology.

But barely hours after the 374-page bill became public, pilot union officials urged a more deliberate approach. Lee Moak, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents 53,000 pilots across North America, told reporters his organization remains worried about safety issues such as training and certification of those flying unmanned aircraft.

Safety experts also have raised questions about the ability of sensors aboard unmanned aircraft to properly detect a nearby plane, and to assure immediate action to avoid a midair collision.

"At some point, the FAA has to get its arms" around such safety concerns "and answer those basic questions," Mr. Moak said Thursday.

An FAA spokeswoman said the agency doesn't comment on pending legislation.

Air-traffic control updates have been blocked by economic concerns. Most airlines have balked at making significant investments in new technology until they start reaping benefits from technology they already have but seldom use under the current ground-based navigation system.

Carriers also have held off making commitments until they see a more comprehensive and binding upgrade plan approved by the FAA, and buttressed by support from other federal agencies and White House budget officials.

The bill calls for the first phase of the upgrades to be in place by 2020.

Airlines for America, an industry group representing the largest U.S. carriers, praised the bill for including benchmarks and deadlines. Such accountability, it said, is "critical to ensuring that passengers and carriers realize the benefits" of air-traffic control upgrades.

Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com

*****

Just a routine FAA funding bill.......Coming over your house soon,......nothing to worry about......Even the Hellfire missiles that take out those troublesome "rebels" and gun totin militia....

No worries...nothing to see here....Big Brother Will Make Sure Your Compliant.....Because they will be watching....Can't wait for the x-ray imaging to watch me loading magazines....

[MikeBjerum]

We have so many manned government and private aircraft doing this already how is this different?  It means that instead of a pilot over my house that a pilot in downtown St. Paul is controlling a drone over my house.

We have bigger issues than whether that snooping bird has a pilot on board or not.  Lets start with why are they up there to begin with.

[twyacht]

How is this different?

proponents envision huge fleets of drones operated nationwide by states, local governments and companies. Unmanned aircraft can be as small as a hummingbird or have the wingspan of an airliner.

Why? Because the masses can't be trusted, and must be monitored. .How many cameras are around St. Paul, as opposed to a few years ago?

I can tell you they are everywhere in S. Florida. More chipping away of our right to privacy,....even in our own backyard, or with the thermal density x-ray imaging as we sit on the commode, or have sex with our wives, or load magazines...

[MikeBjerum]

What I'm saying is that it is no different.  We should be outraged that they are up there watching us right now.  Go on the internet and check out the areal views of your home.  On several free sights I can find my place with a close enough view to now makes, models and colors of vehicles, and to know which one of us is doing chores when they were snapped.  This is nothing new, so we need to stop what is happening today rather than waiting to stop the next step.

    First they came for the communists,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

    Then they came for the trade unionists,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

    Then they came for the Jews,
    and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

    Then they came for the Catholics,
    and I didn't speak out because I was Protestant.

    Then they came for me
    and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984)

[Rastus]

<snoop, errrr...snip>
Lets start with why are they up there to begin with.

Precisely because you are a bad man and cannot be trusted.   

Welcome to the club.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

They have been monitoring traffic from the air for 50+ years.
They have been searching for pot from the air for 40+ years.
Congratulations on waking up, finally.

[twyacht]

Traffic,,,old news....

Pot, also old news, even the thermal stuff to look for grow rooms,....

So,.. this mega bling investment is strictly on the up and up? Watching us shower, reload, have a "movement", this just takes it to another level,....

the .gov is talking about regulating sugar like alcohol.....and this is just another further encroachment....one piece at a time....

So it's not to brazen.....

[MikeBjerum]

Let me clue you in on a few things that will get your name sent on to the "black copter" folk:

Purchasing large quantities of sugar;
Purchasing large quantities of nitrogen - either dry or anhydrous;
Purchasing certain nasal decongestants;
Renting a post office box without a permanent physical address;
Paying for something costing over $4,999.99 with cash;
Crossing the national boarders too often;
A sudden and on going increase in utility (electricity, water, sewer, natural gas, etc.) usage;
Purchases of certain building materials in quantity.

These are just a few of the items I know will get your name referred to agencies automatically.

By the way, there are some stores in our area that require you Driver's License or equivalent for any ammunition purchase. I did it once when I purchased some light trap loads I needed for a firearms safety class and didn't have time to stop elsewhere.  However, the next time I went in to make a purchase they asked me again - I asked why and was told it was law; I called BS and told them they were the only place I shop that asked; they gave another lame reason; and I walked out with over $500 in merchandise (ammo, a couple tools, two gallons of mixed paint, and some jeans) laying on the counter for them to put away.

[tombogan03884]

Traffic,,,old news....

Pot, also old news, even the thermal stuff to look for grow rooms,....

So,.. this mega bling investment is strictly on the up and up? Watching us shower, reload, have a "movement", this just takes it to another level,....

the .gov is talking about regulating sugar like alcohol.....and this is just another further encroachment....one piece at a time....

So it's not to brazen.....

 
"Dinner with Obama"
Once upon a time, I was invited to the White House for a private dinner with the President. I am a respected businessman, with a factory that produces memory chips for computers and portable electronics. There was some talk that my industry was being scrutinized by the administration, but I paid it no mind. I live in a free country. There's nothing that the government can do to me if I've broken no laws. My wealth was earned honestly, and an invitation to dinner with an American President is an honor.
I checked my coat, was greeted by the Chief of Staff, and joined the President in a yellow dining room.  We sat across from each other at a table draped in white linen. The Great Seal was embossed on the china. Uniformed staff served our dinner.  The meal was served, and I was startled when my waiter suddenly reached out, plucked a dinner roll off my plate, and began nibbling it as he walked back to the kitchen.   "Sorry about that," said the President. "Andrew is very hungry."
"I don't appreciate..." I began, but as I looked into the calm brown eyes across from me, I felt immediately guilty and petty.. It was just a dinner roll.  "Of course," I concluded, and reached for my glass. Before I could, however, another waiter reached forward, took the glass away and swallowed the wine in a single gulp.
"And his brother Eric is very thirsty." said the President.
I didn't say anything. The President is testing my compassion, I thought. I will play along. I don't want to seem unkind.  My plate was whisked away before I had tasted a bite.
"Eric's children are also quite hungry."
With a lurch, I crashed to the floor. My chair had been pulled out from under me. I stood,brushing myself off angrily, and watched as it was carried from the room.
 
"And their grandmother can't stand for long."
 
I excused myself, smiling outwardly, but inside feeling like a fool.  Obviously I had been invited to the White House to be sport for some game. I reached for my coat, to find that it had been taken. I turned back to the President. "Their grandfather doesn't like the cold."
 
I wanted to shout - that was my coat! But again, I looked at the placid smiling face of my host and decided I was being a poor sport. I spread my hands helplessly and chuckled. Then I felt my hip pocket and realized my wallet was gone. I excused myself and walked to a phone on an elegant side table. I learned shortly that my credit cards had been maxed out, my bank accounts emptied, my retirement and equity portfolios had vanished, and my wife had been thrown out of our home. Apparently, the waiters and their families were moving in. The President hadn't moved or spoken as I learned all this, but finally I lowered the phone into its cradle and turned to face him.
 
 "Andrew's whole family has made bad financial decisions. They haven't planned for retirement, and they need a house. They recently defaulted on a subprime mortgage. I told them they could have your home. They need it more than you do."
 
My hands were shaking. I felt faint. I stumbled back to the table and knelt on the floor. The President cheerfully cut his meat, ate his steak and drank his wine. I lowered my eyes and stared at the small grey circles on the tablecloth that were water drops. "By the way," He added, "I have just signed an Executive Order nationalizing your factories. I'm firing you as head of your business. I'll be operating the firm now for the benefit of all mankind.  There's a whole bunch of Erics and Andrews out there and they can't come to you for jobs groveling like beggars."
I looked up. The President dropped his spoon into the empty ramekin which had been his creme brulee. He drained the last drops of his wine.
 
As the table was cleared, he lit a cigarette and leaned back in his chair. He stared at me. I clung to the edge of the table as if were a ledge and I were a man hanging over an abyss.. I thought of the years behind me, of the life I had lived. The life I had earned with a lifetime of work, risk and struggle. Why was I punished? How had I allowed it to be taken? What game had I played and lost? I looked across the table and noticed with some surprise that there was no game board between us.  What had I done wrong?
As if answering the unspoken thought, the President suddenly cocked his head, locked his empty eyes to mine, and bared a million teeth, chuckling wryly as he folded his hands.
"You should have stopped me at the dinner roll," he said.

You have no one to blame but yourselves.

[McGyver]

Tom, you're sounding more and more like a condecending old fool .
 We get the picture, already!  Can you quit blaming the choir? We can't pick "all" the songs we sing, "all" the time! Sometimes we gotta sing louder on certain songs first! We all get the "you did (are doing) this to yourself" shit. Quit laying blame, and help us fix it, for chrissakes!

I've listened to you bitch for a DAMNED long time now (around 5 yrs), but you're starting to sound more like a politician that can twist anything into whatever you want it to be. We get enough of that this time of year from the crap we gotta take from the dufus' they're running! 

Sorry, rant off!