Most if not all of us are aware that aviation transportation authorities are attempting to regulate the use of hobby drones (yes drones). Unfortunately, because you can purchase these sophisticated RC aircraft without the need to spend countless hours building them, more and more inexperienced and more importantly, irresponsible operators are creating havoc. The public is interested in these stories, thus the media is covering it, casting a grim view of our hobby.
I'm one of the inexperienced operators, but I'd like to call my self responsible. I'm also a private pilot for single engine aircraft and have been licensed since the early 90's. I hate to admit it, but I understand and agree with the need for regulation. The hate replies and private messages will start flowing now I'm sure. To note, I am NOT a representative of any governing body, I'm just a dude who enjoys aviation of all kind.
Aviation authorities, whether it be Transport Canada, FAA or similar bodies, are responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property while in the air, and of those who are on the ground who are at risk from things falling from the air. Irresponsible operators of drones who are flying in the vicinity of airports, flying higher than 400' or buzzing over crowded areas are eventually going to cause an accident.
I'm not an expert operator, but many of you are. We are trying so hard to stop the authorities from regulation citing freedoms et all, but what of those freedoms to that child who just had a drone drop on them from above? What of that pilot who was flying at 1,000' AGL who just had a quadcopter fly up from out of no where right into the windshield? I know none of us want that to happen. I believe we are going about this the wrong way. Frankly, the authorities have no clue how to regulate our hobby, which is why they are coming up with ludicrous rules. What can we do about it? We need to provide them guidance, we need to help them establish rules that aligns with the mandate those authorities have, without regulating all of us out of our hobby. Will this STOP all those irresponsible operators? No, some will continue to fly, ignoring the rules, but at least we can move things in a positive way rather than bitching to the authorities who are trying to safe guard the skies and civilians. Stop bitching about proposed rules, START providing valuable recommendations on how we can move forward.
Whether you like it or not our hobby will be regulated because of the few who have demonstrated a lack of responsibility. We have a chance to help them, so let's do that, it'll be much more productive for us, and will bring us together as a community.
My two cents.
I'm one of the inexperienced operators, but I'd like to call my self responsible. I'm also a private pilot for single engine aircraft and have been licensed since the early 90's. I hate to admit it, but I understand and agree with the need for regulation. The hate replies and private messages will start flowing now I'm sure. To note, I am NOT a representative of any governing body, I'm just a dude who enjoys aviation of all kind.
Aviation authorities, whether it be Transport Canada, FAA or similar bodies, are responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property while in the air, and of those who are on the ground who are at risk from things falling from the air. Irresponsible operators of drones who are flying in the vicinity of airports, flying higher than 400' or buzzing over crowded areas are eventually going to cause an accident.
I'm not an expert operator, but many of you are. We are trying so hard to stop the authorities from regulation citing freedoms et all, but what of those freedoms to that child who just had a drone drop on them from above? What of that pilot who was flying at 1,000' AGL who just had a quadcopter fly up from out of no where right into the windshield? I know none of us want that to happen. I believe we are going about this the wrong way. Frankly, the authorities have no clue how to regulate our hobby, which is why they are coming up with ludicrous rules. What can we do about it? We need to provide them guidance, we need to help them establish rules that aligns with the mandate those authorities have, without regulating all of us out of our hobby. Will this STOP all those irresponsible operators? No, some will continue to fly, ignoring the rules, but at least we can move things in a positive way rather than bitching to the authorities who are trying to safe guard the skies and civilians. Stop bitching about proposed rules, START providing valuable recommendations on how we can move forward.
Whether you like it or not our hobby will be regulated because of the few who have demonstrated a lack of responsibility. We have a chance to help them, so let's do that, it'll be much more productive for us, and will bring us together as a community.
My two cents.