Thanks to the massive rise of consumer drones, one of the most popular items under the tree this year is likely to have four rotors and a camera. The FAA even released a video this week that proposes best practices to help people "stay off the naughty list" as they play with their airborne gifts.
Drones are no longer specialty items, they come in all shapes and sizes. From DJI's affordable film-quality options to Parrot's toy-sized mini versions, they've practically become a stocking stuffer. And looking at social media, it appears some people are having a lot of fun with them already:
...even if they aren't very good at using them yet:
My first drone flight destroyed a portion of our Christmas tree. I call it a success! pic.twitter.com/nKj4Lex2op
— Jason Bridges (@bridges1995) December 25, 2014
10:40am and Katelyn already broke a plant with her drone and flew it on a house. Who even gets a drone for Christmas? It's a drone. She's 12
— Kels (@kelscampp) December 25, 2014
It's safe to say drones were one of the hottest topics in 2014. "Drone porn" became a thing, and the FAA spent so much time going back and forth on how to regulate them that we might not have regulations until 2017. So it's no surprise that the issue of privacy is actually on a lot of people's minds:
To my neighbors that don't feel the need to wear clothes outside, this is your warning. My brother got a drone. He is 12. SAVE OUR EYES
— Jodi Samples (@JodiBrooke05) December 25, 2014
I got a drone for Christmas.. I'm going to spy on everyone
— ❁ℰℐℕ❁ (@Beth_Jayy) December 25, 2014
@kehand1 got a drone for Christmas....I know a few people that may be in trouble pic.twitter.com/1cOF0v8zdu
— J.R. Hand (@ckvbudman) December 25, 2014
Sweet got a drone. Did my mom think I really wanted to stalk people that badly?
— Joseph stoma (@Stunt4president) December 25, 2014
Oh shit. Forgot i got a drone for christmas too. can i put a gun on it and fly it to your house to shoot you?
— panida (@ilovefoooooood) December 24, 2014
If you got one though, just be careful where you fly it:
I own the airspace over my property. You fly your drone over, I catapult it down. Merry Christmas.
— Dave Dee (@dodgyd) December 25, 2014
Hello #drone users if you #fly within my airspace unauthorized I will shoot you down. Thanks for your #compliance and #MerryXmas
— Sajad (@alb88411) December 25, 2014
But the best drone recipients are the dads. It's like the dad world is collectively experiencing one big nerdy mid-life crisis, and they are excited:
My dad keeps saying "I got a freakin' drone!" Lmao Him & Kelsey are supposed to have a play date tomorrow since they both got one. smh
— Lillian Taylor (@Lillie_6) December 25, 2014
For many of them, though, it's not going so well:
Dad flew his new drone over the fence. Father = son. pic.twitter.com/WM4O8mtqru
— Ahron Young (@AhronYoung) December 25, 2014
Well my dad got his drone stuck in a tree and we put Cody 25 ft up in the tree to try to sway it down with a broom pic.twitter.com/VeNBcgJMb4
— Juliette Ferrer (@juliette_ferrer) December 25, 2014
Dad has had his drone for under an hour and has stuck it to the dog already
— Andrew Gazeley (@andrew_gazeley) December 25, 2014
My dad already hurt himself with his drone
— Chase Gunther (@GuntherChase) December 25, 2014
Massive open field in duff house and my dad manages to land his drone on top of the rugby club roof
— Coral Blackhall (@coralblk) December 25, 2014
Watching my dad trying to barrel roll his little drone. Too funny as it drives it self into the floor
— Troy Cornwall (@DevTroy) December 24, 2014
My dad just told us he got us a drone for Xmas & brought it to his shop to practice & it hit the ceiling fell to the floor & burst 2 flames
— Mack (@mbass_0) December 25, 2014
Did you get a drone for the holidays? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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