Phil H said:
As a commercial licensed pilot, I understand the need for regulation.
I think you and I are probably going to have to agree to disagree on this subject.
As a citizen who lives in a free country, I do not understand the incessant need for useless, outdated, desperate, ill-informed government agencies to unnecessarily intrude in people's lives and potential livelihoods, especially when most flights occur under 400 feet.
Phil H said:
I encourage the FAA to create operational classes like type and category found in other aircraft regulations. Models or smaller quadcopters that have the capability to shoot video should require a commercial rating.
Bzzzt, wrong. Why add all the unnecessary regulation around something that's not a threat? Over-regulation has the potential to kill off a fledgling industry. Let's not let some nonsense "safety considerations" over something that has yet to happen scare us. The FAA's role doesn't include Karnac the Magnificent or Henny Penny; it seems like both are running the agency these days.
Phil H said:
Appropriate testing to include practical knowledge, flight proficiency, safety and laws should be included.
This would kill the hobby. It's not only unnecessary, but it's also a waste of time and money for unnecessary training. I can bet that this is something that most won't bother to comply with. Who has time to waste here?
Phil H said:
I have no problem with a small transponder installed in the craft that at the very least notifies pilots in aircraft and tower operators that there is a drone in the area and where it is located would be very beneficial.
What would the additional cost of this transponder be? What additional weight would it add? How would it impact flight times for drones? Again, this seems like a lot of worry and needless concern over something that might happen some day. Decades of model aircraft flying through the air without a single recorded mid-air collision causing human death would seem to indicate that all this "huffing" and "puffing" by the FAA is a waste of time and taxpayer money.
Phil H said:
If you just want to fly your quad as a model, simple common sense regulations can be easily created.
Again, no need for regulation. We've done fine so far without the FAA or any other useless government agency slithering its way into our hobby.