Drone Pilots Association - Free to join...

[petersachs]

I just launched the Drone Pilots Association, to represent the interests of non-hobbyist small drone pilots.

Free to join for anyone who is interested.

Register here: http://dronepilotsassociation.com/

 

[EMCSQUAR]

Peter saw your chat on Creative Live - was super informative. Thanks for keeping us informed.

MC

 

[petersachs]

Thanks, MC. Appreciate it.

 

[Wedeliver]

I just launched the Drone Pilots Association, to represent the interests of non-hobbyist small drone pilots.

Free to join for anyone who is interested.

Register here: http://dronepilotsassociation.com/

Loved the webcast, watched a bunch for 2 days and I learned alot! I look forward to the future you represent! I will participate in your above association. Thanks for the opportunity.

 

[petersachs]

Thanks!

 

[GearLoose]

A very good idea!

As a volunteer, I use my quads to photograph stream restoration projects, erosion, habitat restoration and the like for two NGOs as well as a county parks department. I'm pretty sure the FAA would not consider this to be "hobbyist" even though it is not commerical (I accept no remuneration).

I've jointed the DPA but it would be nice if your mission statement could include such volunteer uses.

 

[petersachs]

It does. That's why I specifically wrote commercial and non-hobbyist. It's to cover people like you who don't charge a fee but also don't fly purely for recreational reasons.

 

[SanCap]

I am not commercial and still a hobbyist but do want to volunteer my time and flights for local services in my community that may need it. I look forward to see how this develops and how I can help this develop.

 

[petersachs]

This covers exactly what you want to do. Also for search & rescue, FDs, PDs, universities, etc.

 

[CarlJ]

Not trying to start anything, I think we're all pretty set in our views on the matter, but I'm really torn on the issue. I totally agree that commercialization should be open to all, but I've had the misfortune of meeting some of my fellow flyers. I most certainly do not wish to be associated with that, so how would you propose that a sense of professionalism and responsibility carry over to what seems a pretty open group?

 

[Mike]

Any chance of the DPA site being upgraded to a secure server? I noticed there was none on the site. It didn't make me want to enter personal information.

 

[petersachs]

Good question. Education, Training, Online testing, Member rules and self-policing. Of course we'd only be able to police those within the DPA. We'd only be able to speak out against bad actors who are not members.

 

[petersachs]

Any chance of the DPA site being upgraded to a secure server? I noticed there was none on the site. It didn't make me want to enter personal information.

At the moment, we're operating with zero funds, so no secure server at the moment. However, I modified the personal info collected during registration to username, email address, name, state, county only. Now street address, city, zipcode and telephone number are optional answers.

 

[CarlJ]

Good question. Education, Training, Online testing, Member rules and self-policing. Of course we'd only be able to police those within the DPA. We'd only be able to speak out against bad actors who are not members.

Good answer, but I have so many more questions.

I think if you're going to do this you should require membership fees. You'll get no where without the cash, and I think pretty much everyone understands that. Besides this is a hobby where you spend money like a drunken sailor...

I think you're going in the right direction with this, but I think some of us assholes will need to see more.

 

[petersachs]

Oh there will be a membership fee. We will need to charge a fee to do what needs to be done. For the moment, I'm just trying to get as many members as possible to join, to gauge interest.

 

[fastsmiles]

I'll join, we need a united voice if we are going to protect our interests.

 

[petersachs]

We're at 1,055 member in the first 3 days. Love to have you join.

 

[Elginet]

Hey Peter, I have secure servers we could host it on if you need.

 

[Tstanfordjr]

What is a non-hobbyist drone pilot?

 

[OI Photography]

What is a non-hobbyist drone pilot?

The segment of owners who aren't flying just for the fun of it, but also not necessarily as a commercial enterprise.

Examples:
Search and Rescue
Non-profits
Civil agencies