I'm more concerned about the requirement of us having to physically go to a location to pass a test and then have to be vetted by the TSA.
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No offense to you "
Othan1" but I'm using you as an example but at the same time adding to your quote to prove a point. At no time did you say what I am posting below but over the last couple of years many others have so I'm ad-libbing here so please don't take it personal. This is my 2 cents and my rant so take it for what you paid for it
On one hand we want our
hobby to be taken seriously and not called a "toy". We want the freedom and respect of not "just playing with toys". We want to be big boys in a sense so we buy aircraft (
that's what they are now) that are very complex and capable of not only long range but autonomous long-range flight. This enables them to operate in a much broader area than a simple "flying field" down on the farm. This allows them to at least "potentially" (
intentionally and unintentionally) operate in the National Air Space which is where manned aircraft operate. So by not calling these a toy anymore and because they care very capable of operating within the NAS they are now subject to big-boy rules/regulations (
in some cases laws). Everyone is in an up roar because all of a sudden their "hobby" is now being restricted, registered, and regulated like never before. Unfortunately part of the responsibility of operating in manned airspace will be getting "vetted" and taking a very simple and basic knowledge test.
At the end of the day flying in NAS (
or having the potential to do so) is not a God given right but a privilege and with that comes responsibility and accountability. I'm not saying the new hobby registration system is perfect or close to it but it's needed. To be perfectly honest I sincerely feel like if the AMA membership had been made mandatory years ago
(like a radio operator's license used to be) then the registration system would be a moot point right now. With that being said I can only imagine if everyone wanting to fly a multirotor was told today that they have to pay $56 ($75 now) per year to the AMA in order to fly they would blow a gasket. That's how we've flown R/C for decades but today it's a different time and "thought process" which in and of itself has helped created this public fear monster we are now subject to.
Think of the "required testing and vetting" is like going to get your driver's license. You don't have to drive but if you're going to drive on public roads etc you'd better follow the rules and get your driver's license etc. Very much like flying our "aircraft" today. You "can" drive without a license etc but if you get caught the penalties can add up and be painful in a hurry.
At the end of the day the media has created a threat when little to none really existed and now John Q. Public is genuinely afraid for their life and privacy every time anything that even remotely resembles a "MultiRotor" goes into the air. You can bet your bottom dollar that John Q. Public has a much louder voice than every single R/C aircraft operator in the world and John Q. Public will cause further legislation, regulation and ultimately restrictions until something else comes along that unites the many for a common goal regardless how unfounded and pointless it is or is not.
Again this is not directed at any one person but simply my 2 cents.