Lack of updates lead me to use drone to see status of truck in body shop lot

[Closedquestion]

So the pictures are why I took my truck in for service in the first place. The gap shown in 1st pic was present at delivery but didn’t bother me enough to address, then while washing truck back in May I noticed the factory Xpel PPF was starting to pull up from being pinched(2nd pic)So made an appt to have it fixed. Dropped truck off at PDX service center on July 8th.

After I crossed the 3.5 week mark with no updates I decided to run down to Beaverton and the body shop(2 hours away) with my Mini 3 pro drone as I could see in the app that the truck was in their fenced yard. So popped the drone up and found my truck. I had been told that the first non certified body shop put a crease in the fender and a “dent” in the door. Well, the video obviously shows no fender. They were going to try a 4th attempt at repairing original fender before ordering a new one. Not sure the status of that. My bigger concern now is that the “dent” in my door is actually a huge crease. Looks like they folded that upper right corner of the door somehow. Ugh! Was in the process of trying to trade in on a Gen 2 R1S before this all happened just need that gap fixed first. Now I’m not sure what to do. I’ve never been happy with body work on previous vehicles, plus this is a lease and not sure what that will do for turning it back in at end of lease. It was cool to be able to use my drone for the recon mission.
Had to share links to video due to size.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/069mFSJB2VgDYBcH6XY1-U3hw

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a89seDum2ZrR9JVF7E-iDFqA

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[Magicbus]

My experience says they took off the fender so they could get the complete list of parts (probably 20-30 in that area) to order for replacement. Cool idea to use the drone, but I doubt the body shop would be happy you flew it over their private property with the intent to spy. Illegal where iive.

 

[SwampNut]

Illegal where iive.

Probably not, if you mean the specifics of flying over property. Almost everyone who claims things about drone flights over private property are wrong and either just repeating something made up, or misinterpreting laws. Most people don't understand that federal laws give nearly 100% of control of all aircraft, including UAS, to the FAA. Now, what is potentially illegal here is that the flight could be considered as part 107 but not under the 44809 exemption, and OP didn't say whether he's licensed. Also, whether he flew BVLOS (out of direct view) if the property had a wall and not a see-through fence, due to altitude.

I have used a drone to capture images of illegal chemical storage on private property and got a legal opinion verifying that it would be legal under federal law as part 107, but not under 44809. And that the fed law would not allow any local jurisdiction to restrict that right.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Probably not, if you mean the specifics of flying over property. Almost everyone who claims things about drone flights over private property are wrong and either just repeating something made up, or misinterpreting laws. Most people don't understand that federal laws give nearly 100% of control of all aircraft, including UAS, to the FAA. Now, what is potentially illegal here is that the flight could be considered as part 107 but not under the 44809 exemption, and OP didn't say whether he's licensed. Also, whether he flew BVLOS (out of direct view) if the property had a wall and not a see-through fence, due to altitude.

I have used a drone to capture images of illegal chemical storage on private property and got a legal opinion verifying that it would be legal under federal law as part 107, but not under 44809. And that the fed law would not allow any local jurisdiction to restrict that right.

There are lots of regulations on where you can fly and why you are flying. Too much to get into here. But, with OP recording images from a fenced in lot, there may be issues. Also, this may be outside the realm of personal enjoyment and, thus, may violate some local or federal rules and regs.

Just a heads up. Not trying to be conclusive here.

 

[SwampNut]

There are lots of regulations on where you can fly and why you are flying.

I'm aware, I just passed the part 107 class and practice exam, just need to schedule my final with the FAA. General private land has almost no protection from "spying."

The FAA could, but probably would not, investigate it as not being covered by 44809. They have actual problems to solve though. (Recreational exemption only allows you to have fun with a drone, not do any work. Inspecting your own roof is technically illegal, FAA has said, "whatever.")

 

[mkg3]

If the OP's Mini 3 is less than 55 lbs, I don't think FAA cares, as long as it's flying below certain altitudes. It just needs to be registered.

Bigger question is it's just a vehicle and no update for 3.5 weeks sucks but in the big picture view, it will get done when it does, Not before.

Deal with Rivian/body shop, not take matters into own hands and possibly do something illegal (e.g., trespassing via a drone).

Isn't life too short to stress over things one cannot control??

 

[Closedquestion]

So, this post was about my truck, but alas anytime a drone is involved that's where the conversation goes.

5-6 years ago I discovered and got into drones, bought a DJI Mavic. Like many hobbies it morphed into a possible business opportunity. I studied for part 107 but never took the test. Thanks to my ADHD I moved onto the next hobby. I eventually sold my Mavic. Then a couple years back I bought a little mini 3 Pro which under is 249grams so it flys under many requirements for larger drones. I'm fairly versed in where I can and can't fly(DJI is good about assisting with ant true no fly situations) and I fully respect that. I live in Oregon and I'll paste the relevant laws below. A couple points to comments above. I had visual over my drone the whole time As I could see between the gaps in the face Both of my truck and the drone, and things around it. I did lose visual as I went up and over the tree If we are being picky. In terms of privacy if there were humans present, it would be dangerous to fly over them, with or without permission. Also if I were to crash into something inside the property I would be liable for damages. I totally acknowledge that. The subject being filmed is technically my property(well chase owns it I'm renting it). I live 2 hours away and visiting the business during their operating hours was not possible. As to the beyond recreational use/ part 107, definitely not commercial use. If fully meets “recreational” use is debatable and not probably worth FAA involvement in this single time event that won’t be repeated. I would simply point to my request of detailed info/photos of the new damage to my truck which after a in app message request and in person at SC has never been fulfilled. This footage is mostly for my own records. I have no money for a lawyer, nor do I even have the time and energy to take any action like that. I'm sure at the end of this some sort of diminished value, possible compensation for payments while in service will be discussed. Should that not be satisfactory as of the 7th of August it will meet Oregons time out of service threshold for lemon law and could go the BBB Auto Line route. Again really don't want to do that. At least now have some sort of proof of the condition of my truck now vs. what the initial condition it was in the day I dropped it off. Through all of this, I love my truck, and Rivian vehicles are all I have an interest in currently. This is a mishap, and small blip in the grander things going on in life. It's on me that my ADHD and anxiety give me the hyper focus on mostly things that are out of my control until they are resolved. That hyper focus is what lead me to hyper research and find that EV's and Rivian specifically were a great vehicle for me to own and drive.

Now for some Oregon drone laws.

Specifically to the intent of my flight over this private property, No humans were present and It was to obtain visual confirmation of the condition of my property located there, and not for "intentionally, knowingly or recklessly harass or annoy the owner or occupant of the privately owned premises". This was a one time event. I will not have any direct communication with this business other than through Rivan.

The law:

837.370 Operation over privately owned premises.
Except for the use of an unmanned aircraft system by a law enforcement agency, a person may not operate an unmanned aircraft system over the boundaries of privately owned premises in a manner so as to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly harass or annoy the owner or occupant of the privately owned premises.

If I did this multiple times and they requested I not do so it would be illegal.

The law:

837.380 Owners of real property; Attorney General.
Oregon statutes forbid any person from flying a drone over another’s property multiple times, as long as the drone has been flown over the property at least once and the property owner notified the drone operator or owner that they did not want the drone flown over the property. However, the property owner has no cause of action if the drone is taking off or landing, or is lawfully in the flight path of an airport or runway. If the property owner brings a cause of action and prevails, they may recover treble damages and attorneys’ fees.

I guess I was not simply “over” but also “in” they might have me there. Again never going to happen again.

 

[Closedquestion]

Isn't life too short to stress over things one cannot control??

Yes! I fully agree! My silly brain however….. yes I take medication and it helps immensely, but not totally. Yes I go to therapy, it helps, but it’s a process and personally think everyone needs a bit.

 

[Seano]

I found the original topic interesting and the drone info interesting.

Another possible take: we’ve been discussing at work recently how the world has changed. People (customers, clients, patients) are more engaged and want more information (ok, maybe not all). I do think businesses need to be less opaque and in better communication. This is a pretty good example of that.

 

[Magicbus]

Drone issues and spying on private property aside, why didn't you just pick up the phone or, better yet, take the 2 hour drive when the repair shop was open. Did you ever consider handling this in person instead of via an internet forum?

 

[ndmiller]

This thread is the reason this forum is becoming untenable and a place for posting utterly stupid ideas just to get attention.

Another on ignore.

 

[NeverFollow]

Looking at the videos, I noticed that the driver door don't seems to have an handle,
and the rear passenger door has the door handle outside.

Does this mean that the vehicle is unlocked?
If the 12 V battery is drained, how do you open the vehicle if it was locked?

 

[Closedquestion]

Drone issues and spying on private property aside, why didn't you just pick up the phone or, better yet, take the 2 hour drive when the repair shop was open. Did you ever consider handling this in person instead of via an internet forum?

Those are valid questions. I work in retail and I have some customers who will constantly call to check the status on something and despite me telling them the second I know anything I will let you know, still they call. So, I try not to be that guy. I'm going to let them do their thing and eventually I'll hear from them. The tracking in the app has shown that for the most part my truck has been sitting the same place. So I'm sure there is no update for me.

As to simply going down there when they are open, as I mentioned in my lengthy reply above, living 2 hours away my schedule and their operating hours wouldn't allow for a visit that far away. I had this weekend off, and no plans Saturday so it was more of a spur of the moment idea. I also have things I can do in Portland so I did that, ran some errands, and got some tasty dinner.

As to handling via the forum. Forums are big ole melting pot of people who have different ways of using. Myself, I use forums to search out answers to questions I have, or offer my experiences with things. This post was me venting about a situation I'm going through with my Rivian not even sure I was looking for any answers. If some one might have a similar experience they might share it. Or simply ignore if not. I'd say 90% of what I see or read on the forum I have nothing to add, or a related thing to ask so I simply move on and don't post a reply. You were the first to reply and the first part about the fender and its many parts and complexity was helpful, I appreciated that, then the second half was about my use of a drone, and the Thread seemed to become about my drone so I posted my lengthy reply. It's an Internet forum we are all pretty much strangers and I'm not going to get upset over. As I'm doing here and in reply above its obvious I'm someone who is long winded and will try to explain the how's and why's of something I may post on an Internet forum. I do value any and all inout and I'm not one of grudges.

 

[Closedquestion]

This thread is the reason this forum is becoming untenable and a place for posting utterly stupid ideas just to get attention.

Another on ignore.

Hmm I'm pretty sure in order to ignore, you would have to actually go through the process of ignoring. Yet you took the time to post a reply that you are going to ignore as opposed to simply hitting the ignore button, moving on and letting the thread sink. Thank you for the input on my utterly stupid idea for attention. Which also keeps the thread up top in the mix with the threads not featuring utterly stupid ideas for attention. You got me!

 

[Closedquestion]

Looking at the videos, I noticed that the driver door don't seems to have an handle,
and the rear passenger door has the door handle outside.

Does this mean that the vehicle is unlocked?
If the 12 V battery is drained, how do you open the vehicle if it was locked?

I posted another thread the other day about his concern. When I dropped off for what was suppose to be over night I was at 51% While in service I can't see state of charge, and I'm pretty sure it's not on a charger sitting in the lot. No idea what this means for the health of either battery high or low.

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