Aircraft N756NP

when i was at the police hanger they told us they dont want anyone to take photos of this aircraft

Hi Michael,

That sounds reasonable.

Here in Colorado (United States), I am able to take pictures of any aircraft in the sky... just like you could if a car was on the highway.

But if someone’s car was in their garage... I could understand how that could be an invasion of privacy.

When it comes to Police, It could be even a larger concern.

I generally do not photograph FBO or hangers unless I have permission.

But if they are in the air... then it is fair game.

http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N710DP.html

Best Regards,

Ocassionally I got messages from aircraft owners. For whatever reason they want photos and/or info of their aircraft to be removed. Some even threaten me with legal actions.

For photo requests I usually direct them to the photographer, as they are the copyright owners. For aircraft info ones (most of them came from USA), I direct them to FAA registry page, which has address listed (and we don't). This did the trick. Almost none of them talk back.

Ocassionally I got messages from aircraft owners. For whatever reason they want photos and/or info of their aircraft to be removed. Some even threaten me with legal actions.

For photo requests I usually direct them to the photographer, as they are the copyright owners. For aircraft info ones (most of them came from USA), I direct them to FAA registry page, which has address listed (and we don't). This did the trick. Almost none of them talk back.

I too have received an email or two from people who wish to have the photos removed.

I have spoken at length with one of the Airport-data users here in the Denver area and he helped me come up with a letter to send back.

(This is not legal advice... but I provide this letter for your reference.)

I would be very interested in Airport-data.com member feedback regarding this type of letter.

Is this a proper response?

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am in receipt of your email through the Airport-Data.com website regarding aircraft N*****.

As a courtesy to your request I have removed the offending images of this aircraft from Airport-data.com's website.

Airport-data.com is a website for aviation enthusiasts who are also amateur and professional photographers and is used to share (and often critique each others) photographs of aircraft, and airports.

The photograph taken of N***** was done in the spirit of that hobby and nothing more.

Photographs of aircraft taken by me are done in an open and public area, and with the full knowledge of the airport authority.

The only restriction that has been agreed to is that photographs will not be taken directly towards the FBO aircraft parking areas, which in this case was fully complied with.

Having taken over ????? photographs from this location, your complaint has taken me by surprise.

The common and typical reaction from pilots or owners is to request

copies of the pictures I have taken, which I email to them at no charge,

simply for the privilege of enjoying their aircraft.

Since I have received so much appreciation from these pilots and owners who have significant pride in the fact

that I would take the time to enjoy the aircraft that they own or fly, the removal of your photographs does not impact me directly or indirectly.,

But please note that your aircraft was in public domain space, both while it was in flight and while on the publicly funded and owned runways and taxiways at the airport.

The photograph also did not include any manner of identifying any individual(s) aboard your aircraft, so by law I was and am allowed to photograph your aircraft

in those domains at anytime, anywhere and anyplace and I do not need to seek or obtain permission to publish said photographs.

This changes only if I were receiving any form of payment or charging a fee for the use of these photographs, then the law (United States Law)

is clear, that I would have to obtain your permission in the form of a photographers release in writing prior to using them for my own personal financial gain.

Otherwise, as indicated above, I have removed the photographs, and will not post any further instances of N*****.

Best Regards,

Once again, I would be interested in others viewpoints on this matter.

That's a great response template. IMHO, it would be ever better if:

1. become a bit shorter. It took me a while to read through as a non-native english speaker. :

2. Quote the source of "the law (United States Law)".

I happened to receive a response from someone regarding remove his aircraft info page:

I just want my information on this website(airport-data.com) removed! I do not care about the rest of the web. Is there anyway to remove my information? Airport information might be public, but the pictures and info. are NOT!! I would like it removed

Before this response we have exchanged quite a few messages. I removed all his photos he submitted before. I also referred him to FAA aircraft page twice. During our talk, he also uploaded a few junk images under same registry number.

P.S. I will move this thread into Aviation Photography section.

I occasionally have had people, usually pilots, question my aircraft photographic activity. One was pushing his aircraft in the transient parking area and thought he "looked bad". I tell them my photos of the aircraft that Steve Fossett went missing in were the only photos of N240R on the world-wide web, and I gave immediate unrestricted permission in perpetuity without compensation to major and minor media outlets to use the copyrighted photos (over 90 emails received in two days). My photos of N240R were also used by the search parties for Fossett (a new third major search is now going on).

Admittedly, mine is a specious situation, but it has had the desired effect and pilots thus informed have backed off from their initial concern. There can be real value in having one's aircraft photo on the web. I have never had a problem with FBO photos.

I think you are right Doug.

There is a real value to having one's aircraft on the web. I think most pilots would see it the same way.

I have every right to post what I want where I want...if it is not for profit and in public space.

But I do have to consider that there may be other things going on, even when I don’t agree with them.

Perhaps that Biz-Jet that flew in from Company A is negotiating with Company B to acquire it.

They do not want Company C to know. My photo would ruin that "private" talk.

Perhaps someone told their wife that they were on a business trip. Off to Colorado for a bit of skiing with the secretary…

Perhaps someone owes a payment on the aircraft and the Repo man is looking for it.

If it is the DEA/ATF/FBI/Police aircraft, and they are looking for someone I could ruin everything...

All of these things are going on… and my photos may expose these unfortunate stories.

(FBI example... my photos are removed ASAP! no questions asked!)

My policy is to remove any photos that someone is offended by (if they ask nice).

If they are threatening to contact a lawyer, then I remove them while gently reminding them of my right to take what I want.

If they are rude… then who knows?

Most emails (I have only received 3-4 in the last year.) are not that bad. I just remove the photos.

Example: Would like to know why you have posted a web page with information and pictures of our aircraft N****** on the web without our

permission. We would appreciate your reply as well as your name and contact information sent to the email address listed above.

Best to just protect airport-data.com and remove the photo...

More than enough aircraft out there to take pictures of.

I would love to hear how others handle these types of problems (even if they are rare).

I have only received one such request.

http://www.airport-data.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=451&highlight=remove

This person's first contact contained a threat of legal action. :

I responded to his e-mail with language similar Bluedharma's to and I included the FAA link to his name and address in their on-line data. I never heard from him again. The offending photo of his aircraft was removed as a courtesy. I don't want to ruffle some overly self-important guy's feathers.

I have been asked by one pilot of a celebrity type's aircraft not to post a photo of it that identified the passenger...(What ever that means because the FAA registration data ID's the celebrity owner by name.)

I will treat anyone that asks for removal with respect. But I will always stand up for my right to do what I am doing.