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We’re Not Just Droning On – A Conversation with Drone Experts Chris Tonn and Neil Johnston On Your Community’s Potential Challenges with Drones

We’re Not Just Droning On – A Conversation with Drone Experts Chris Tonn and Neil Johnston On Your Community’s Potential Challenges with Drones

For more episodes of Take It To The Board, click here!


Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with guests Chris Tonn, CEO and Founder of Pelican Drones and Co-Founder of Rocket Drones and attorney Neil Johnston of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC, drone expert and leader of its Real Estate, Land Use and Timber Practice Group. Over the last few weeks many of us have been looking up at the sky more often with Jupiter & Venus shining brightly, reports of Chinese Spy Balloons, and possible UFO sightings. While you were looking up, you may have caught sight of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aka, drones. Perhaps you’ve seen one of these devices flying around a beach, park, or even in your neighborhood. Today’s guests are both well versed in drones, how they were developed, what they can do, what problems they solve, what problems they cause, and where this technology is headed. Join us as we discuss Pelican Drones, Rocket Drones, and the legal side of drone usage.

Conversation highlights include:

  • What is a UAS and a UAV?
  • What is the origin of drones?
  • What kind of training or license does a person need to operate a drone?
  • What kind of data is collected by drones?
  • Are there privacy, nuisance, and property damage concerns?
  • Hobbyist vs. commercial drone usage
  • What policies should boards adopt regarding drones?
  • Using drones to confirm violations in out of way places.
  • Is shooting down a drone flying in personal, private space permissible?
  • What is insurance coverage like for drones?

BONUS: What do recent Chinese Spy Balloons have to do with Drones? Where is drone technology headed in the next few years?

About Take It To The Board

Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly. Take It To The Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle.

If you’ve got a question, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger – We Speak Condo & HOA!

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