D.C.: Operator of errant drone works for intel agency

[cpzilliacus]

AP via WTOP Radio: Operator of errant drone works for intel agency

WASHINGTON (AP) – The man who has acknowledged flying a drone onto the White House grounds works for a U.S. intelligence agency.

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency said Tuesday the man, still unidentified, is one of its employees.

The agency says his work has nothing to do with drones and the one he flew in the middle of the night Monday was a personal item, used when he was off duty. But the agency says it takes the matter seriously.

[cpzilliacus]

Washington Post: You won't be able to fly this hugely popular drone in D.C. much longer, thanks to that White House crash

The manufacturer of the drone that crashed on the White House lawn earlier this week says it is working to prevent future such incidents by erecting a no-fly zone in the devices' flight software. The update will essentially prevent the popular Phantom quadcopter from flying within the D.C. airspace.

DJI, which makes the drone that buzzed the presidential grounds, said Wednesday that it's rolling out an update in the next few days that will force its drones to obey a federal no-fly notice to pilots in the Washington, D.C., area. When users are within the 15-mile restricted zone, the drone's motors will not be allowed to spin up, effectively grounding the vehicle.

The plan to obey the Washington no-fly zone had been in the works, but recent events pushed up DJI's timetable, said company spokesman Michael Perry.

[kkt]

Fine, no White House.  What about Camp David and all the other places the president hangs out?

[Brandon]

Washington Post: You won't be able to fly this hugely popular drone in D.C. much longer, thanks to that White House crash

The manufacturer of the drone that crashed on the White House lawn earlier this week says it is working to prevent future such incidents by erecting a no-fly zone in the devices' flight software. The update will essentially prevent the popular Phantom quadcopter from flying within the D.C. airspace.

DJI, which makes the drone that buzzed the presidential grounds, said Wednesday that it's rolling out an update in the next few days that will force its drones to obey a federal no-fly notice to pilots in the Washington, D.C., area. When users are within the 15-mile restricted zone, the drone's motors will not be allowed to spin up, effectively grounding the vehicle.

The plan to obey the Washington no-fly zone had been in the works, but recent events pushed up DJI's timetable, said company spokesman Michael Perry.

Yeah, that'll last.  Someone will figure out how to disable it, and it's back to business as usual.  And I sincerely hope they do.  Fuck this security state shit.

[SidS1045]

Fine, no White House.  What about Camp David and all the other places the president hangs out?

The restricted airspace in the Baltimore-Washington area covers a lot more ground that just the White House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington,_DC_Metropolitan_Area_Special_Flight_Rules_Area

Among the many other restricted airspaces in the US is Prohibited Area 40 above Thurmont MD, the location of Camp David.