Just because you CAN do something does not mean that you SHOULD do something.
In some instances, sure. But when it comes to invention, exploration, research and development, you SHOULD do it.
By that same argument, a lot for people jump off the Golden Gate bridge to commit suicide each year. Does that mean Dubai needs to build a similar bridge because everyone is doing it.?. Of course not.
Hold on. Did you call my mother??? She used that same exact logic 40 years ago to discourage me from riding my skateboard in the arroyos. Interesting.
You could have also argued that people have a right to exercise their personal freedom and do things like this...
EXACTLY! I'm glad we agree on something.
...but again, that fails to take into account that everyone has those same rights and your rights end where the other person's begins.
So...tarting this out.... Everyone has the same right to fly a jet pack, but my right to fly a jet pack ends where their right to fly a jet pack begins??? Sorry, sir...I DO NOT follow that logic.
Just because the aviation authority in Dubai has not fully considered (or just doesn't care) the implications of individuals performing powered flight in close proximity to a passenger carrier with potentially hundreds of lives at stake if something goes wrong, that doesn't mean that it should be allowed in the US (or Dubai for that matter).
Actually, they DID take that into consideration. They did the math, and the benefits outweighed the risk. Your assertion that they did zero risk analysis is dubious at best, and flat-out made up at worst. You would have to cite a source for such a ridiculous, preposterous assertion.
I would like to think that the FAA HAS considered the implications and made a sound decision based upon all the facts and the potential hazards.
Ahhhh...more fairy dust. OR...the FAA simply poo-poos any and all innovation because they don't want to do the paperwork or look bad on T.V. when some whiny reporter decides to make all the same claims you just made.
Isn't this fun? You make completely, absurd, unfounded, UNSOURCED claims. And I do the same! Fun!!
My take-away from this is that Dubai doesn't place a lot of value in human life compared to the US in this particular topic.
And my take-away is that they DID conduct a comprehensive risk analysis and decided that innovation was worth the risk. You know....like the Wright Brothers or Charles Lindbergh or Charles Yeager or Amelia Earhart or.....
This next line is as much to myself because it is very easy to get lost in the conversation and miss things because this format is really imperfect when it comes to transferring ideas; we need to step back and look past our own nose and then consider for a moment how our actions affect others.
To even remotely suggest that the Dubains (?) didn't conduct risk analysis is absurd and unfounded. Let's just call a spade a spade. We, as Americans, put more emphasis on fear, regulation and safety than our Dubain brothers. Hence; they will reap the rewards of innovation while we continue to crash news helicopters into buildings.
Disclaimer: Nobody was hurt, killed, or property damaged in the testing of what could be one of the most profound inventions for personal flight of our century. Let that sink in. A wise man once said, "Ya gotta crack a few eggs to make an omelette."
I think in this case we all, being reasoning adults, can see that it really is not a great idea to fly something that may or may not be safe in close proximity to hundreds of people just trying to get from point A to point B."
You mean like birds?
"Are those geese??" ~ Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger
I think that as long as the Jet Pack pilots don't fly INTO the Jumbo Jet, I think everyone will be okay.
Thoughts?
Even if nothing bad came of the experience, we, as pilots have a higher calling to ensure that our actions do not endanger the public and there is no distinction if you are flying for recreation or a commercial venture.
Sure. That's why the Jet Pack PILOTS skillfully avoided smashing into the Jumbo Jet.
<off the soapbox and back to real life>
In all reality, the entire aviation community would probably agree with you. But as an American who'd like to see America unleash our innovating potential (instead of being tied with Venezuela) and become a LEADER in drone and personal aviation technology instead of watching the CHINESE to lead the charge, I wish the FAA would loosen up a bit. America has the potential to be a world leader in all aerial innovation. But not with the FAA pressing their thumb down on the entire industry.
Discuss.
D
www.latimes.com
