I've been flying in a big park in NY for the last month. Normally, I get the questions we all get, some kids asking if they can fly ("uh, YES!..."), etc.. Occasionally I get the older person walk by and say "that's scary!". Tonight, I was flying at about 200-300 feet, staying away from groups of people, kids, trying to get some nice shots of the sun setting as I pan across the NY skyline. I start to run low on battery, land, jog over with a new battery. As I'm popping the battery in, 2 people come towards me from opposite directions, a man and a woman. The man gets to me first and starts to ask me the usual questions (battery? how long? camera?). The woman then arrives and cuts in "You know, that is not allowed here!". I tell her "I understand what you're saying, but in actual fact, it is not illegal". She gives me "There are designated areas like Floyd Bennett Field where you can fly quads! You cannot fly that here!". I say "I know there are designated areas for rcs and model craft, but there are no laws or ordinances against flying safely here". Her retort, raising her voice "THOSE ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND YOU CAN'T FLY THEM HERE! I WORK FOR THE PARK!". I respond with "I'm sorry, you're just not right". I was sufficiently annoyed by that point, since she was being very rude, but I know that I have to tread lightly, as I don't want to bring anymore negativity to this situation or to our community. Had she not stomped off at this point, I would have told her that I would continue to fly away from her and other people, but that if she looks for the ordinance or law that prevents flying an rc in the park, she would be searching for a loooong time. I then finished my conversation with the gentleman who first came over, which was civil, and we both agreed that people seem to be most bothered by the sudden loss of control of what they deem to be their personal space. He had some valid concerns, which I tried to address by saying that there are plenty of privacy laws in place that protect against those who wish to do sketchy things with their quads.
Anyway... does anyone have any thoughts on the best way to quickly end the conversation with these aggressive types who insist that what we are doing is against the law, and disallowed in the park? Is there some sort of print out that I can bring with me when I am flying to provide some solid information to these people?
Thanks!
Anyway... does anyone have any thoughts on the best way to quickly end the conversation with these aggressive types who insist that what we are doing is against the law, and disallowed in the park? Is there some sort of print out that I can bring with me when I am flying to provide some solid information to these people?
Thanks!
