GoBLUinTX

September 19th, 2014 at 3:03 PM ^

camera drones during practice to get a better, or different POV....maybe this was one instance Brandon should have begged forgiveness after instead of hoping for permission.  In many cases right now the FAA is practicing "Don't ask us and we won't tell you no."

Joined: 12/02/2013

MGoPoints: 5895

HELLE

September 19th, 2014 at 3:24 PM ^

It was probably Ann Arbor Police. They should have just had them do it. It would have been really cool. Hooray for Dave Brandon! Thank you for trying. Great idea!

Joined: 07/26/2011

MGoPoints: 2400

readyourguard

September 19th, 2014 at 3:31 PM ^

So it was okay to have F/A-18 Hornets, a Stealth Bomber, an old-timey carrier, the Michigan Hospital Helo, jet-pack dude, an eagle, and a couple parachutists drop into the stadium but not a drone?

Huh.  Weird.

Joined: 08/21/2008

MGoPoints: 40986

LSAClassOf2000

September 19th, 2014 at 3:47 PM ^

There is likely this, of course, but I thought the big obstacle is that UAS aircraft are not currently authorized in Class B airspace, which would mean urban areas and in any area with a dense population of manned aircraft. I believe that was the latest circular, but perhaps it was mainly meant for experimental operations. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130627

Wolverine Devotee

September 19th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^

Maybe for Home Game #5 they'll have this guy at halftime, celebrating 15 years since this song came out-

 

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

Don

September 19th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^

A drone can be the 26-ft-long USAF Predator that the Taliban and Al-Queda are familiar with, or it can be a comparatively tiny quadcopter like the kind that the Ann Arbor company was proposing to use to drop the football. I can understand why the FAA wouldn't approve something as big as a Predator, but I think they might be excessively cautious when it comes to a quadcopter.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 148358

CoverZero

September 19th, 2014 at 5:13 PM ^

It is pretty idiotic for Brandon to think he could get away with sending a drone over Michigan Stadium in this era of homeland security.  Is everything a marketing ploy for that guy?

Joined: 08/30/2014

MGoPoints: 14571

goblue20111

September 19th, 2014 at 5:15 PM ^

Not to be that guy, but why is Aero being celebrated? I get its an elite program (had a few friends graduate from there) but is this common for other schools/departments? 

Joined: 10/31/2010

MGoPoints: 7251

Uper73

September 19th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^

Michigan is not selling cell phones or cats, someone should be in charge of fan experience and direct ticket sales, but Michigan marketing stunts are laughable and are cheapening the brand. Focus on improving the product on the field, court, rink, etc. , keep the venues up to date, and drop the hucksterism.

Joined: 10/12/2013

MGoPoints: 1352

Smoked Gouda

September 19th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^

Why the hell is everyone condemning this as a marketing ploy, and the commercialization of the athletic department?

Why is this even coming down on Brandon?

We tried to do something unique and cool, to celebrate a top program at our school, on its 100th anniversary. I get Dave Brandon isn't the most popular guy around these parts, but I think putting his head on a stake for trying to do this is a bit much.

Joined: 07/03/2013

MGoPoints: 148

Rickyleachlove

September 20th, 2014 at 10:19 AM ^

What people might not realize is that the AD doesn't celebrate academic departments for free.

The Ford School of Public Policy is also celebrating its 100th year. They're named after a president and a football Legend, but when they approached the AD to brainstorm ideas, they were sent to IMG Marketing just like everybody else.

I suspect aerospace engineering paid the AD quite a lot for this stunt--money that might have gone for scholarships, etc.

Joined: 09/20/2014

MGoPoints: 1