Agencies: Drones won't fly at RNC

[unhappycamper]

http://www2.tbo.com/news/politics/2012/aug/24/2/agencies-drones-wont-fly-at-rnc-ar-473514/
Agencies: Drones won't fly at RNC
By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune
Published: August 24, 2012
Updated: August 25, 2012 - 10:14 AM

TAMPA -- Military and law enforcement officials, responding to a story in Friday's Tampa Tribune, said they have no plans to use unmanned aerial or ground vehicles during the Republican National Convention.

"None of the 60 local, state or federal agencies involved in the security operation of the Republican National Convention will utilize air or ground drones," said Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy. "They were never part of the planning process and they will not be utilized during the event, anywhere."

"The Secret Service is not aware of any drones being used in the implementation of the security plan for the national special security event,'' said spokesman George Ogilvie.

The denials came after the Tribune published a story quoting officials with a Naples-based drone company, United Drones, saying they would be operating unmanned vehicles in the air and on the ground at the convention.



unhappycamper comment: Inquiring minds want to know. Are they not flying drones over Tampa because:

a) Florida has its Storm Troopers ready to go



or b) a little wet weather is coming their way?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Neither

There will be so much air traffic in and around the area that safe UAV operation is not possible. While there are TFRs over the facilities. The FAA is not shutting down non-government aviation in the area.

See http://www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/120730_Published_RNC_Flight_Advisory.pdf