Some Are Getting Drones For Christmas
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Controversial electronic turned Christmas gift. The drone has been a hot topic dealing with its potential dangers for both commercial and recreational use.
Marcus Washington reports one organization is now pushing out a warning for all new owners.
It's the season of giving and most of those gifts will come in a box.
"Many will be excited when they unwrap the box and find an unmanned aircraft," said one PSA.
Or, to many people, a drone. It's become a hot gift this year, but with this gift comes great responsibility.
"And as this proliferates, we need to make sure we do it in a safe and responsible way so that's why the campaign, Know Before You Fly, has been launched," said Michael Toscano.
WJZ spoke on the phone with Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the Association For Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, about the recent PSA geared toward unmanned aircraft owners.
"If you fly one of these things into a crowd and you hurt somebody, you're going to be held accountable and it's not the FAA you need to be worried about. If you hurt somebody by acting in a reckless and careless manner, they're going to sue you," he said.
Along with the PSA, AUVSI's website advises users to fly no higher than 400 feet, check and follow all local laws and ordinances and keep your unmanned aircraft in eyesight at all times.
"It's very exciting and it's new and as we get more and more of these users that are involved, we have to make sure they do it in a safe and responsible way," he said.
Drone technology is said to have the potential to pump $10 billion into the local economy and create new jobs.
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