Drones

[Patrick E.]

As for NYSPHSAA, until I am shown a "copy of a communication" and told to read what it says, I'm not aware of who, or what, it was intended for or what it entails.

If you PM me, I'll send you a copy.

[kevinlc]

I think I want a drone with a live camera for my backjudge work. I could sit in a lawn chair with a remote and heads-up display...radio to R when I have a foul. Maybe I could get one that would drop a flag from on high.

[HLinNC]

 

I think I want a drone with a live camera for my backjudge work. I could sit in a lawn chair with a remote and heads-up display...radio to R when I have a foul. Maybe I could get one that would drop a flag from on high.

All very possible Kev.   Don't talk us all out of a job.

[Atlanta Blue]

That will be next year's NFL pre-season experiment.

I figure drones could put the Skycam people out of business.  Why go to the cost of hanging those wires and motors every week when you could do the same thing with a drone?

[HLinNC]

And a good reason I would like HLinNC Jr. to pursue aeronautical engineering instead of mechanical!

[Ralph Damren]

Aside from lazy ,no good ex-brother-in-laws; we didn't hear much about drones up here in Maine until our military began to use them to blow the crap out of the bad guys. If a fanatic fan was at the helm/switch/trigger , is there a chance he/she/it might deem us as the "bad guys" ?

[AlUpstateNY]

That will be next year's NFL pre-season experiment.

I figure drones could put the Skycam people out of business.  Why go to the cost of hanging those wires and motors every week when you could do the same thing with a drone?

There are a lot of things that apply ONLY at the NFL level.

[HLinNC]

Big difference between this :



And this:

[Patrick E.]

If the New York State Association allows you to stop the game for things that have nothing to do with the game, that's between you and them.  Thankfully, we have a much better system here, where officials worry about game, and leave game management issues to the experts in that area.

Attached is the NYSPHSAAA position on drones.  It too has a system where officials should worry about game, and leave game management issues to the experts in that area.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[bigjohn]

Read #10

http://ohsaafb.com/files/2015/08/2015-Rules-Geek-Quiz-1.pdf

[AlUpstateNY]

Attached is the NYSPHSAAA position on drones.  It too has a system where officials should worry about game, and leave game management issues to the experts in that area.

Thank you Patrick for the copy of the NYSPHSAA suggestion relating to "Drones". I see absolutely nothing included that in any way removes, or lessens, the authority of NFHS: 1-1-6. 

Mr. Zayas concern that, "hopefully common sense" would prevail seems to include concern for the safety of both spectators and/or participants on either side of the 2 yard  restraining line being subject to the potential, significant (and more importantly unnecessary) hazards of aerial objects being flown and controlled by individuals of unknown qualifications in close proximity to the game and it's participants.

[Atlanta Blue]

Thank you Patrick for the copy of the NYSPHSAA suggestion relating to "Drones". I see absolutely nothing included that in any way removes, or lessens, the authority of NFHS: 1-1-6. 

Mr. Zayas concern that, "hopefully common sense" would prevail seems to include concern for the safety of both spectators and/or participants on either side of the 2 yard  restraining line being subject to the potential, significant (and more importantly unnecessary) hazards of aerial objects being flown and controlled by individuals of unknown qualifications in close proximity to the game and it's participants.

Given that his comment about common sense is followed with the specifics word of "coaches, players and officials" is pretty clear evidence that what's outside that 2 yard restraining line isn't your problem.  Don't know how he could have been much clearer unless he addressed it Dear Al:

[AlUpstateNY]

Given that his comment about common sense is followed with the specifics word of "coaches, players and officials" is pretty clear evidence that what's outside that 2 yard restraining line isn't your problem.  Don't know how he could have been much clearer unless he addressed it Dear Al:

I think this poor horse has run it's race and deserves to rest in peace, however; 

I don't believe, in NYS, even Directors can overturn/override prudent safety concerns and responsibilities, supported by NFHS 1-1-6.  It's been my somewhat limited experience, that rotary aerial vehicles that experience unanticipated mechanical difficulties, are only responsive to the laws of gravity, and when they fail are not limited, or controllable, to falling straight down, so strict adherence to the confines of the 2 yard restricted area would be at BEST-DOUBTFUL, and pose a real and present danger to ANYONE in a very large "general" vicinity, including players and substitutes, whose safety is very much within my focus, and therefore a potential, and reasonable, liability concern.

Perhaps in Georgia, decisions are made differently.

[Atlanta Blue]

Perhaps in Georgia, decisions are made differently.

They are, be the people responsible for everything outside the playing field: game management, just as the NY memo says they are to be done in NY. 

[wvoref]

And now supposedly a drone crashes into the stands at a tennis match. Personally think total ban might be safest way to go.

[maybrefguy]

wvoref - I wondered if someone would bring that up.

KS has banned them during post season play from all facilities hosting events including spectator areas and the parking lots.  They are however a game management issue, not an offense that is flagable.  (not sure that's a word, but it fit)

[AlUpstateNY]

The question has never been about whether, or not, to "flag it", there's no logic for that.  The question is, and as evidenced by the idiot at the tennis stadium, the potential danger of one of these drones crashing (either accidentally or BY DESIGN) considering you have no idea who may be controlling it, or what their skills or intentions are.

Presuming there is some imaginary line separating dangerous from safe, drawn from the ground to the stars, is childish.  As suggested earlier, regarding rotary powered aircraft in trouble, gravity determines the ultimate direction, but there is no guarantee that decline will be straight down, so EVERYONE on both sides of any "restraining" line are at (EQUAL) serious risk.

YES, the responsibility for removing the danger belongs to game management, the question REMAINS what should be done with the game, while that corrective action is underway?  Suspend it until the threat is removed, or ignore it.  Presuming the threat is removed because of an IMAGINARY restraining line, is insane. 

[ECILLJ]

This issue may even be bigger than game management. It seems to me that this falls under the jurisdiction of local public safety laws and enforcement. 

[prab]

From my Air Force days, the definition of CRASH:

When the velocity is so great and the time spent reducing it to zero is so short as to result in structural failure.

[bigjohn]

3. If I’m not mistaken you all have said that the use of drones would be up to the home school. Do game officials have any say at all? What about our liability if a drone crashes on field and hurts someone or causes a game disruption?

Since it is Weeks 1 – 10 the Home School makes the decision whether to fly a Drone & where to fly it. I have only heard of one so far — a local TV station had a drone. The agreement was they could only fly it beyond the SL — in other words not over the field. HT Game management & the TV station agreed to this since it occurred Weeks 1 -10.​ Officials have no say during Weeks 1 – 10 per GB, P. 35. Section 6. I am not an attorney so therefore cannot comment on liability.

http://ohsaafb.com/question/questions-of-the-week/

[Curious]

Here's the Michigan Policy (issued yesterday):

Below is the MHSAA Policy on Drones:

This is the policy for both regular season and playoffs….

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (DRONE) POLICY
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”), also known as drones, is prohibited for any purpose by any persons at MHSAA tournament venues. Tournament management shall refuse admission or entry to anyone attempting to use a UAV; and if necessary, tournament management shall remove anyone attempting to use a UAV and/or confiscate the UAV until the event has been completed.  For purposes of this policy, a UAV is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device.
An exception to this policy may be made in specific cases for MHSAA broadcast partners, provided the management of the tournament facility permits the presence of UAVs for broadcast purposes under the control of the MHSAA.

Still a lot of questions:
1. Definition of "venue" (whole school area or just playing field; and who controls what - officials or management?)
2. Confiscate...seriously?
3. Do officials stop the game?
4. Liability?
5. What if the UAV is controlled from somewhere off-site?

[AlUpstateNY]

Here's the Michigan Policy (issued yesterday):

Below is the MHSAA Policy on Drones:

This is the policy for both regular season and playoffs….

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (DRONE) POLICY
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”), also known as drones, is prohibited for any purpose by any persons at MHSAA tournament venues. Tournament management shall refuse admission or entry to anyone attempting to use a UAV; and if necessary, tournament management shall remove anyone attempting to use a UAV and/or confiscate the UAV until the event has been completed.  For purposes of this policy, a UAV is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device.
An exception to this policy may be made in specific cases for MHSAA broadcast partners, provided the management of the tournament facility permits the presence of UAVs for broadcast purposes under the control of the MHSAA.

Still a lot of questions:
1. Definition of "venue" (whole school area or just playing field; and who controls what - officials or management?)
2. Confiscate...seriously?
3. Do officials stop the game?
4. Liability?
5. What if the UAV is controlled from somewhere off-site?

For what it's worth; WIKIPEDIA defines "sports venue:  as the place used for a sporting event".

The Michigan suggestion of "confiscation" appears to rest uniquely with game management.

Do (field) officials stop the game?  Would seem to be a decision resting with the field officials assessment  of the threat operation of the UAV poses to participants, and the level of liability the field official chooses to accept.

Liability:  Something best left INSIDE "Pandora's Box" often not clearly defined until results, AFTER the Fact of whatever causes it to be a consideration, are known and assessed.

Location of the control of a UAV, whether on site, or off, pose the same level of unpredictability, potential threat and liability.

Michigan's policy seems far more realistic, practical and manageable than those expressed by either Ohio or NY.

[J12]

There was a drone at the game I attended tonight in NJ. They did stop the game for about 5 minutes or so until the drone was out of sight.

[SD_Casey]

drop a flag from on high.

That's what us R's do! 

Liability:  Something best left INSIDE "Pandora's Box" often not clearly defined until results, AFTER the Fact of whatever causes it to be a consideration, are known and assessed.

This right here is why it baffles me why some of you fellas are in such a hurry to get involved with anything to do with UAVs and their use at the game site.

Personally, I want to be 10,000 miles away from any decisions made regarding these things. We want to set the precedent that this is a game management issue. So that when one of these things inevitably injures somebody, we can rightfully say "Drone. Not my area. Go talk to that guy." As I point to the home AD.

 

[Curious]

Here's the Michigan Policy (issued yesterday):

AND HERE ARE THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS

Below is the MHSAA Policy on Drones:

This is the policy for both regular season and playoffs….

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (DRONE) POLICY
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAV”), also known as drones, is prohibited for any purpose by any persons at MHSAA tournament venues. Tournament management shall refuse admission or entry to anyone attempting to use a UAV; and if necessary, tournament management shall remove anyone attempting to use a UAV and/or confiscate the UAV until the event has been completed.  For purposes of this policy, a UAV is any aircraft without a human pilot aboard the device.
An exception to this policy may be made in specific cases for MHSAA broadcast partners, provided the management of the tournament facility permits the presence of UAVs for broadcast purposes under the control of the MHSAA.

Still a lot of questions:

Q1. Definition of "venue" (whole school area or just playing field; and who controls what - officials or management?)
A1Venue is the playing area that includes the playing field and spectator areas. (and) No….game management/host school control the venue.

Q2. Confiscate...seriously?
A2. Rhetorical...didn't really ask

Q3. Do officials stop the game?
A3. Only if it interferes with the game itself (flying too low, etc).  If a drone is seen within the venue, report it to game management and it becomes their job to remove it.

Q4. Liability?
A4. None (liability); Officials have intentionally been removed from having to enforce/handle drone issues.

Q5. What if the UAV is controlled from somewhere off-site?
A5. If a drone is seen within the venue, report it to game management and it becomes their job to remove it.