I would literally say about half of the time when I fly (about half of the 30 flights total I have done in this field) I get comments on my drone. I like to fly in this open field that is public and safe to fly in. I like to take off in this field and then step back onto the path behind me... I get (mostly middle-aged to quite elderly) people complain about "that horrible thing" and its a HUGE field. Like I can't hear my
P4P on the other side of it, so I don't see what's so horrible about it and why they tell me it's noisy? It there is country-side and a farm nearby so it's no big deal.
I have heard the term "drone-phobia" used on here and thought nah, that rarely happens but today somebody stood there actually filming me shouting how they would report me and I don't appreciate the countryside (clearly why I hate photographing it then?).
Today I had the afternoon free and could of gone to take more video/ photos but in the end I really can't be bothered, maybe because I might get some nut try attacking my drone or something?
Lets hear any "incidents" anyone else here has had with such ignorant individuals who believe drones will one day steal their wives, take their kids and burn their houses down?
I believe the answer is EDUCATION. I have not had this happen to me, (but I expect it to). Here's what I would suggest. A simple 'background paper' (not written in a smart aleck way) with 'bullet' statements:
-- This is a XX Unmanned Aerial System. This platform takes AMAZING pictures and videos of the countryside. I want to show everyone how beautifully artistic the landscape is.
-- (If you are religious, like me): God made this earth so beautifully, I want everyone to see it's beauty.
-- My pictures can be found at: (youtube address, etc).
-- Yes, I am registered with the FAA. My FAA number is: FXXXXXXXX.
-- Yes, I have to follow carefully many rules about operating this aircraft. For example:
-- I am not allowed to fly at night
-- I am not allowed to fly over sport events or first responders.
(list all the rules)
-- Did you know: The FAA has "GEOfencing" that physically prevents my platform (stop calling it a DRONE, that's a scary military term), from going certain places:
-- I can't go over an airport runway
-- I can't go near a prison, or a nuclear plant
-- I shouldn't fly over buildings or near people's dwellings.
-- contrary to popular belief, my platform doesn't have the power to carry anything--it's a delicately balanced machine.
--For Your Information:
-- Remote controlled flight has been around for over 50 years.
-- My platform only has a speed of xxxxmph, but there are small scale "mock fighter jets" that use real jet fuel and fly at 200mph.
-- In the "quadcopter" category, there are legitimate "racing" quads, some very small.
-- Others, like the one I have, are built primarily as "flying cameras". Not meant to race, built to capture wonderful video.
-- I often fly with special goggles, so that I can see better. Ask me if you might see through them at some point -- You'll be amazed!
-- People often wonder about privacy, but they shouldn't--At fifty feet, you can't see anything specific about people or vehicles!
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I fly a P4, and I am 62 years old. There are people in my church who know, but there are people who will NEVER know, because they are incapable of understanding.
Educate; don't antagonize. The people attacking you don't know any better.
Just my 2 cents.
^^^
