Western Railroad Discussion > Drone notice

BNSF webpage requires reporting all drones over their property now. Only their highly trained and licensed pilots allowed. FYI.

The only problem with that is that airspace is not within BNSF's jurisdiction. 

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

CCMF Wrote:
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> The only problem with that is that airspace is not
> within BNSF's jurisdiction. 

Doesn't that depend on just how close the drone comes to the train and railroad right of way?

Oh yes Jack, there are plenty of rules about where and what you can do with a drone, they just have nothing to do with any BNSF policy.  Used responsibly and per FAA guidelines it's a non-issue.

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

CCMF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The only problem with that is that airspace is not
> within BNSF's jurisdiction. 


Indeed......Seems stupid they would issue it.
Very  vague instructions, I can see the problems it will create.

Did UP stop flying theirs, temporarily?

Do crews have to report  drone sightings?

Could make for a lot of "unsafe conditions" reporting...

BNSF has the right to ask employees to report drones absolutely.  Same for trespassers.  Is it gonna happen 100% ?

Drones flying around yards and such is a different thing than say flying around Tehachapi.  FAA rules are reasonably clear on all of it.

 

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

So what is BNSF going to do now, fly company drones near crews as yet another effeciency test subject to disciplinary action?

Interesting.
SD45
 

Sounds like the order is to report drones. Does it say anything about any action to be taken? Maybe they are just gathering information. 

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA

SD45X Wrote:
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> CCMF Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The only problem with that is that airspace is
> not
> > within BNSF's jurisdiction. 
>
>
> Indeed......Seems stupid they would issue it.
> Very  vague instructions, I can see the problems
> it will create.
>
> Did UP stop flying theirs, temporarily?


Don't know if they did but I heard up at Roseville they've had several light post in the yard with drones . :) :)

Posted from Android

Dave Dodds
San Dimas, CA

fbe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So what is BNSF going to do now, fly company
> drones near crews as yet another effeciency test
> subject to disciplinary action?

So would they be "Air Weasels" instead of Weed Weasels?

SD45X Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CCMF Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The only problem with that is that airspace is
> not
> > within BNSF's jurisdiction. 
>
>
> Indeed......Seems stupid they would issue it.
> Very  vague instructions, I can see the problems
> it will create.
>
> Did UP stop flying theirs, temporarily?

They are back already.

BNSF employees are being ASKED, not required to report drones.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See a drone flying above BNSF property? Report it.
7/17/2018

Complete News Article​​​​Personal unmanned aerial systems, sometimes called drones, are becoming more and more popular, but flying them on BNSF property is prohibited unless specifically authorized.

All BNSF employees are asked to report drones being flown on or above BNSF property to the BNSF Resource Operations Call Center at 800-832-5452.

BNSF has its own unmanned aerial system (UAS) program, which is committed to improving safety on the railroad. The BNSF UAS team uses a variety of aircraft and various sensors to assist in the review of railroad assets – including right‐of‐way, equipment and more. This work helps supplement BNSF's existing inspections by getting sensors into areas of the BNSF network that are difficult for humans to inspect without additional track occupancy. In some cases, the aircraft used by the BNSF UAS team may fly over BNSF property hundreds of miles away from the actual pilot and flight control center.

This BNSF UAS team employs trained and licensed pilots, and all flights are required to meet stringent safety and operational requirements. Outside of the work by the BNSF UAS team, drones or other unmanned aerial vehicles are not permitted to be flown on BNSF property without the proper authorization.

Upon receiving a report of a drone being flown on BNSF property, BNSF Resource Protection officials will be able to quickly determine if the flight is unauthorized and take appropriate action, if necessary. ​

BNSF Headquarters
2650 Lou Menk Dr
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/18 22:35 by MP555.

If the control point is hundreds of miles from the flight area how do they get the drone to where it is going to be flown? Does it deadhead inside the support vehicle or does it fly cross country? Does BNSF ask permission from all the private land owners of the property they will fly over. Why do I find this whole thing so arrogant?

Nice of BNSF to give you a phone number to report though you might not stop your train for hours so you can get out your cell phone to turn it on. Retirement feels so good.

fbe Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So what is BNSF going to do now, fly company
> drones near crews as yet another effeciency test
> subject to disciplinary action?


Yes.

~ Mr. MRL (no, I'm dead serious...)

Industrial drone aircraft have considerable range, often hundreds of miles and hours.

Power companies have used UAV for years. Once you have FAA approval, the usual rules about altitude over structures etc apply. Other land owners don't have a lot of rights here.

These are not hobby aircraft.

Posted from Android

When you have highly publcized incidents like this from 2017 https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?1,4383195 ,
what do you expect the railroads to do?

If BNSF wants reports of drones over their property then why don't they take those inside the cab cameras they are talking about and move them out on the roof where thay can scan the horizon?

The big reason use of electronic devices while on duty got canned was this detracted from the crew staying focused on their primary duty which is train operations. Now BNSF wants crews to take their attention from train operations to identify and report something not related to crew safety or train operations.

BNSF officials need to get a life or add another member to the crew with a good set of binoculars.

Add another crew member?  Probably.  Binoculars?   No, to expensive.