Burning Man Drone Summit Sets Guidelines For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Seriously)

Burning Man Releases Guidelines For Drones (Seriously)
FILE - In this March 7, 2007 file photo The Israeli army's Heron unmanned drone aircraft for surveillance missions flies during a display at the Palmahim Air Force Base, Israel. Israel's military has grounded a fleet of long-distance surveillance drones after a malfunction occurred in one over the Mediterranean Sea. The military said it intentionally downed the unmanned aircraft over the sea late Saturday. It would not say how many aircraft were affected. The planes will remain grounded while an investigation takes place. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)
FILE - In this March 7, 2007 file photo The Israeli army's Heron unmanned drone aircraft for surveillance missions flies during a display at the Palmahim Air Force Base, Israel. Israel's military has grounded a fleet of long-distance surveillance drones after a malfunction occurred in one over the Mediterranean Sea. The military said it intentionally downed the unmanned aircraft over the sea late Saturday. It would not say how many aircraft were affected. The planes will remain grounded while an investigation takes place. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

But when Burning Man holds a "Drone Summit," we know the drone craze has gone overboard.

burning man festival

Responding to concerns about drone-mounted video cameras disrupting participants at the 2012 festival, Burning Man organizers hosted a summit and released a set of guidelines.

"You may have noticed a proliferation of drones (those zippy little helicopter gizmos) humming around the skies of Black Rock City in recent years," wrote organizers in a release. "Well, now that there's so many of them, let's make sure we're all droning safely and in a coordinated way to avoid any mishaps, shall we?"

Organizers then released a set of best practices modeled after safety guidelines developed by the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Though the complete list is extensive, here are a few highlights:


• All UAVs carrying cameras will register with Media Mecca and each UAV will carry a unique registration number on a small decal on the vehicle.

• Operators will avoid flying over crowds and populated areas.

• Operators will avoid flying during the Temple burn.

• No flying near the Black Rock City airport or helipads.

• No flying near the Man any time Saturday the day of the burn.

Thoughts? Concerns? Conspiracies? Leave them all in the comments section!

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