Drone store opens in Warwick
By: Melissa Randall
@MRandallABC6
Rhode Island’s first drone store is now open in Warwick. Its location is less than a mile from T-F Green. The close proximity to the airport is raising some eyebrows, but the owner says he has no intention of flying the unpiloted aircraft anywhere near there. In fact, Christopher William’s says the location of where he set up shop wasn’t given a lot of thought.
“We had a business here that we've had for over 35 years. We decided to have it in the same store to test the waters for a little while and hopefully some day if it gets big enough we might move to a place where we can fly these things all over the place,” he explained.
The initial alarm stems from recent controversy surrounding the new technology and potential interference with airplanes. The store’s opening timed out with the FAA’s release of findings on pilot reports of drone sightings. The numbers doubled in 2015 to 650, raising concern about the potential for a deadly collision.
“It should be cautioned to anyone and the store owner that you can’t fly even a kite within 5 miles of an airport so that's federal law already,” said Rep. Stephen Ucci, D- Dist. 42 Johnston, Cranston.
William’s says the drones in his store actually have safeguards to prevent the machines from flying into restricted areas.
“If you try to take off in a no fly zone the motors won't even start,” he said.
Currently in Rhode Island, and in nearby Massachusetts, there are no specific state regulations about flying drones. However, some local lawmakers are working to change that.
“Anything can be used for a nefarious purpose so we as a legislature have to be careful that we properly regulate,” says Rep. Ucci.
A House study commission on drones will begin in Rhode Island this fall. A second bill, that would give the state the exclusive legal authority to regulate unpiloted craft, will be re–introduced in the early start of session.
Williams says if used properly drones can be a great hobby for just about anyone. What is unique to aircraft is the machines ability to allow its user to see what it sees— a bird’s eye view.
“When I take off I fly over trees. It feels like I’m flying. It actually feels like I’m going over the water. It's almost like being superman for a little while,” he said.
He hopes people will try drones and make up their own minds about the technology.
“We're really hoping to kind of show people how fun they are!” he said.
© WLNE-TV 2015
