Hiya

Just want to ask what people think about this idea.....

I am in 2 minds about placing a small label on my P4 with my name and a contact number on it - just incase of the worse case scenario it flies off into the blue yonder to never to return.

1. I think its a good idea incase it just flies off, lands and doesn't damage any one or anything - then some one honest could call to say they have found it. Great

2. I think it could be a bad idea, it flies off and worse case scenario it causes damage or worse - then they could trace you down and you'll in the pooh.

Does anyone else place a label on their drone ?

Cheers

Tony

I personally have my FAA number and phone number on a label on all of my quads. However, I also have GPS trackers on them as well. I take every precaution before, during, and after my flights that I can to ensure that these things don't happen, but I also like to be prepared in case of the rare technical malfunction. I'm not worried about any legal issues if it flies off and damages something. I would take responsibility and work with my insurance/attorney to determine the at fault party (either me or DJI) handles my business. If your quad flies away, you wouldn't run and hide like a coward, would you?

Good question, I've been tempted for a long time to put my mobile number on it, but as you say you may just want to walk away from a crash

But DJI know who you are and the police could easily contact them to get your details.

So probably best to put some sort of contact details on it, and maybe an offer of reward if returned.

Jkeller84 Posted at 2016-9-15 11:38
I personally have my FAA number and phone number on a label on all of my quads. However, I also have ...

"work with my insurance/attorney to determine the at fault party (either me or DJI) "

An interesting point, I thought the pilot would have to bear all responsibility, after all he chose where and when to fly.

If a quad landed on my head I wouldn't care if it were an 'ESC' failure or compass malfunction, but I would be keen to track down the pilot.

All of my P3P's have the FAA registration number and my phone number on them. Unless you never wore gloves each time you handled your air craft you prints and DNA are all over them.

Thanks for the replies

I had the labels already made - I'm sticking them on now. I reckon its the best thing to do all round. Cheers

mjlstudios Posted at 2016-9-15 12:07
All of my P3P's have the FAA registration number and my phone number on them. Unless you never wore  ...

Unless you've been dribbling on your drone or left some other bodily fluid on it I doubt they can get any DNA from it. Finger prints quite possibly, but more probable is the SD card full of accidental selfies and test shots at home

Aardvark Posted at 2016-9-15 03:57
"work with my insurance/attorney to determine the at fault party (either me or DJI) "

An interest ...

The pilot does take responsibility for where he flies. However, if the machines has an actual "mechanical related flyaway (rare)", then that is when I would work with other parties to determine fault, compensation.

In the UK you can get public liability insurance cover from someone like BMFA for about £30/year.  If you're flying within the CAA regs and you have insurance then you don't have much to worry about.

If you're flying over congested areas, housing estates, industrial estates and something goes wrong then it might come back to bite you.  Imagine the worst case scenario.

ok don't know what country you're in but in the USA by law you must have your FAA number when you register your drone by law that will tie into your address if it causes damage or harm and someone reports it. Also Phantoms are definitely see realized and you're registering when you first set up we'll tie that to you if heaven forbid an accident happens and it causes damage or personal harm there's ways to find you. But the consequences might be happy if you don't voluntarily put the info on your drone and by the law again your FAA number must be on the craft. In my opinion it would be similar to hit and run if you didn't put your contact info and it crashed into someone's house or hurt someone I didn't put my phone number but I did put my FAA number

I just have my Phone number on mine. It is registered, just that I have my FAA numbers on a sheet of paper in my box. That way nobody can use my number on there drone in case I do loose it and its found. Ive even gotten one back by doing that. Anyhow. It does have a "double edged sword". Say the person that finds it and calls you and makes up a "Lie" that it done damage to there property when it really "did not". Just to get more money out of you and legal costs.. Lucky that the one I got back was in a tree for over 8 months and if that person sayed they "got hurt" from my drone, then I could say.. "Well then why didnt you call me over 8 months ago when I lost the drone?" If that person had damage done to there property, you know your going to get a phone call within the first few minutes of the crash. Not several months later.

You are in the UK (the OP) which is where I am. No need for registration numbers, but I have printed labels (I have a couple of proper labelling machines) the text "REWARD IF RETURNED" and my name, e-mail and mobile number. I have a label on each battery plus on on top and one on the curved "front" of the aircraft. I used clear tape over the labels to protect them from moisture.

I crashed my drone into a hotel in Myrtle Beach last year.  Got a phone call within 3 minutes of the crash telling me where to get it.

Aardvark Posted at 2016-9-15 06:57
"work with my insurance/attorney to determine the at fault party (either me or DJI) "

An interest ...

In the US the lawyer is going to go after the biggest fish if there's body harm involved, that won't be the pilot in most cases. If it's just a dent in the hood of my car, the pilot.

Numptee Nuts Posted at 2016-9-15 07:58
Thanks for the replies

I had the labels already made - I'm sticking them on now. I reckon its the b ...

FAA #, Name and cell number here.

wmcvey Posted at 2016-9-16 00:59
Plus isn't your FAA number on your drone, it should be.

American regulations don't extend to the UK. The CAA don't require registration or labelling.

Kilted Flyer (D Posted at 2016-9-15 10:23
I just have my Phone number on mine. It is registered, just that I have my FAA numbers on a sheet of ...

First it's the LAW to put your FAA # on the drone itself, and have it on your person. Not just one or the other. Next, what is someone going to do with your FAA # that would harm you. I'm sorry but after reading your post you seem very pessimistic about people.

Matt-and-Riley Posted at 2016-9-15 20:11
American regulations don't extend to the UK. The CAA don't require registration or labelling.

Didn't catch you were in the UK at first. No, you don't want to give the FAA any more reach than they already have.

Jkeller84 Posted at 2016-9-15 18:38
I personally have my FAA number and phone number on a label on all of my quads. However, I also have ...

Excellent, responsible reply. It needs to be acknowledged that you are describing exactly how the rest of us should be replying.
R

HobbyMounts.uk Posted at 2016-9-15 14:12
In the UK you can get public liability insurance cover from someone like BMFA for about £30/year.   ...

Hi.

Ive already joined the BMFA for the insurance. Best to be insured when flying these things.

Kilted Flyer (D Posted at 2016-9-15 10:23
I just have my Phone number on mine. It is registered, just that I have my FAA numbers on a sheet of ...

How do I mark my unmanned aircraft with my unique registration number?

If you complete registration using the web-based registration process and satisfy the registration requirements, you may use a permanent marker, label, or engraving, as long as the number remains affixed to the aircraft during routine handling and all operating conditions and is readily accessible and legible upon close visual inspection. The number may also be enclosed in a compartment that is readily accessible, such as a battery compartment.

Numptee Nuts Posted at 2016-9-16 08:49
Hi.

Ive already joined the BMFA for the insurance. Best to be insured when flying these things. : ...

I went with FPVUK for insurance. Cheaper for the basic recreational group cover and also there is an add-on for £15 for non-recreational but non-commercial exceptions allowing NQE flight training etc.

wmcvey Posted at 2016-9-15 16:16
First it's the LAW to put your FAA # on the drone itself, and have it on your person. Not just one or the other. Next, what is someone going to do with your FAA # that would harm you. I'm sorry but after reading your post you seem very pessimistic about people.

Nobody can be trusted these days..  Say I loose my drone, or someone walks up and starts a conversation while its sitting next to me, they see the number, they write it down, later they buy a drone, put my number on it, fly it. It crashes, the person that finds it, turns it in to proper people like cops, FAA, etc, they look at number, contact me, and assume I did the damage to other persons property.  Yea I may be paranoid, but my cell phone number is good enougth. Besides, there are allot of people out there that dont even put there phone number, much less register it. And if the proper person comes up to me and asks me why my FAA number is not on it, I will explain to them the reason why, and Im sure they will agree. This is a new tested regulation that im sure the people that made it up arent sure how well it will work, expecially when protecting one from "number theft".

Kilted Flyer (D Posted at 2017-2-5 09:47
Nobody can be trusted these days..  Say I loose my drone, or someone walks up and starts a conversation while its sitting next to me, they see the number, they write it down, later they buy a drone, put my number on it, fly it. It crashes, the person that finds it, turns it in to proper people like cops, FAA, etc, they look at number, contact me, and assume I did the damage to other persons property.  Yea I may be paranoid, but my cell phone number is good enougth. Besides, there are allot of people out there that dont even put there phone number, much less register it. And if the proper person comes up to me and asks me why my FAA number is not on it, I will explain to them the reason why, and Im sure they will agree. This is a new tested regulation that im sure the people that made it up arent sure how well it will work, expecially when protecting one from "number theft".

That's statement is beyond being just paranoid, I'm sorry that's borderline delusional and at best just laughable. Is that really how you think? Someone may glance over at your drone in conversation, have the forethought of memorize a ten digit number and use it illegitimately, really? Do you not put your name on your mail box either, to protect yourself from someone impersonating you as the homeowner. And if someone of authority did ask way? And you tell them it's for self protection of the number itself, their not going to agree with that reasoning, believe me. If you own a car, it has a plate on it, right? What if someone that may not like you writes down that plate number, than calls the police and reports the same make and model car as driving erratically, or worse it was involved in that hit and run accident, and has your plate number as proof it was your car. See it's never ending to think that way, you'll never be at ease and be looking over your shoulder all the time.

How about putting a label on your batteries too, if you want to get them back after a crash! Look at this eBay listing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302205184689

Phantom 4 Intelligent Flight Battery for Drone.

Lithium Ion Polymer Rechargeable Battery.

Unknown condition - someone crashed a drone into our house in the night, and this was later found in the garden. We do not have a drone to test it in, and do not have any contact details for the previous owner.

The lights on the side come on when the circular button is pressed (see image).

Return accepted if the item does not function when tested.

Place a label or sticker with Reward and your home or cell number, inside the battery compartment, where weather or moisture won't be a detrimental factor to the info.
Unless it goes swimming, or for a deep dive, then it won't matter much anyway...


RedHotPoker

Hi, Yes mine also has my FAA licence number on it

I have two stickers. One with FAA number and the other sticker has my phone number and Reward on it.

A local forum member @Rigworker, who I fly with on occasion, kindly used his label maker to print me a few stickers with Reward & my home phone number.
Another forum member in Florida who owns a 3D print lab, was decent enough to have ran me off an awesome red gimbal guard, with my phone number etched into the print. Awesome!!

Yes, having an ID on your drone, may help get it returned, should it go AWOL, on you...


RedHotPoker

As has been stated already, I have my FAA number and cell phone on it....

Matt-and-Riley Posted at 2016-9-15 02:50
Good question, I've been tempted for a long time to put my mobile number on it, but as you say you may just want to walk away from a crash

But DJI know who you are and the police could easily contact them to get your details.

Could dji legally be forced to hand over customer info to the authorities? Would they hand over the information?

helidan Posted at 2017-2-6 02:30
Could dji legally be forced to hand over customer info to the authorities? Would they hand over the information?

By court order, yes. Just some cop asking, I doubt it. At least here in the states.

helidan Posted at 2017-2-6 02:30
Could dji legally be forced to hand over customer info to the authorities? Would they hand over the information?

I'm sure the privacy policy says something about cooperating with law enforcement if asked. So I doubt it would take long.

Internal flight logs would probably give away more than enough info to track you down.