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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg church receives 1,000 paper cranes in memory of Umpqua shooting ... Medford shop runs afoul of city again, as complaints surface over 'unsightly' lots ... Local pantry shelves in dire need of food ... Roseburg church receives 1,000 paper cranes in memory of Umpqua shooting ... Medford shop runs afoul of city again, as complaints surface over 'unsightly' lots ... Local pantry shelves in dire need of food ... OUR VIEW Our View: City taking a reasonable approach to drones MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 30, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Dec. 30, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Medford parks officials are taking the right approach to the soaring interest in drones: keep a ban on the books in case it's needed, but wait to enforce it until there's a good reason to. Federal regulators have already stepped into the arena of drone regulation out of concern for aircraft safety. Starting Dec. 21, the Federal Aviation Administration is requiring owners of remote control flying devices to register them if they weigh more than 250 grams — a hair more than half a pound. Smaller, palm-sized devices are exempt. In city parks, as long as drones don't fly too high, small ones represent little more than harmless fun, as long as operators use common sense. Larger craft, and especially those used for commercial purposes, have drawn more regulation. Commercial users are required to have a pilot's license. That may sound extreme, but aviation is complicated and dangerous, and federal regulators are right to take the risk of drones seriously. Aviation officials are concerned that larger drones flying at altitudes of 400 feet or more could pose a danger to airplanes. Medford airport officials found a drone crashed near the airport in October that weighed 15 pounds — big enough to cause serious damage if it collided with an aircraft. Last summer, firefighting aircraft were grounded multiple times because of people flying drones near wildfires. That's irresponsible and reckless, and anyone who pulls such a stunt should expect to face consequences. Josephine County's airport manager argues better education should take precedence over too many regulations, especially if those rules lump radio-controlled model airplanes in with drones. Education is fine, as long as it happens. Retailers selling aerial devices should take some responsibility for making sure purchasers know what they're getting into and where to find more detailed information. For now, though, the Medford Parks Commission's recommendation seems to be about right. The commission says drones haven't been a problem yet, and as long as that remains the case, recreational users likely won't be cited. The key here is common sense. Users who fly their drones near other people or too close to houses and cars should expect to draw attention they may not want. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 30, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501