[Kenh]

http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/story.html?id=7879513

[Helno]

Looks like a pretty standard Hquad. you can probably build your own without all the fancy control system for far less than $90000 they are charging the cops.

[flyboysnow]

Almost even looks cheap... unless its made out of solid gold i just dont see the cost.....

[waylander]

I think the extra costs involved are due to a couple of factors.

The cameras they use for visual/infrared are probably quite a bit better than most of us would use. The software for control via touchscreen is proprietary and the cost probably includes a maintenance/service component and training.

[moo]

“In Canada, anyone conducting UAV operations is required to obtain and comply with the provisions of a Special Flight Operations Certificate,” says Kelly James of Transport Canada.

Certificates must be obtained through Transport Canada at least four weeks before the proposed use of the UAV.

Um, so, we think this guy is going to commit a crime at this location in three weeks, could you rush that certificate?

Ann Cavoukian, Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner, published a report last August that said while unmanned aircrafts offered many benefits, they could become “extremely invasive.”

You never mind that pesky privacy commissioner.

[waylander]

Originally Posted by moo

Um, so, we think this guy is going to commit a crime at this location in three weeks, could you rush that certificate?

I somehow get the feeling that law enforcement agencies are exempt from these requirements...

[moo]

Originally Posted by waylander

I somehow get the feeling that law enforcement agencies are exempt from these requirements...

no, no they are not exempt

paragraph twelve of the article linked above

While Transport Canada requires all operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (except hobbyists) to submit forms outlining how they plan to use the machines, the focus is more on safety than about privacy, Cavoukian said.

police are not even allowed to lie to you if you ask a direct question

[moo]

Not exactly my opinion, but this war on drugs thing has gone too far.

comments on a "$744k bust" using a quadcopter in Halton

Imagine we were making tax dollars on all of this instead of spending them. Taxing cannabis at 50%, that's $372,000 robbed from our treasury, PLUS the enforcement cost. Way to go.

The war on drugs succeeds only in enriching criminals.
...
The war on drugs succeeds only in enriching criminals.
And police