From the AMA forum on RCU:
"for those that need reminding, that we are not the only ones lobbying...
www.diydrones.com
just a small part of those against us. "
Read the thread HERE
You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!
From the AMA forum on RCU:
"for those that need reminding, that we are not the only ones lobbying...
www.diydrones.com
just a small part of those against us. "
Read the thread HERE
You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!
Comments
Tom,
" take pictures for a roofing estimate" is not recreational use and is not the issue.
Please indicate where anybody knows if the FAA is even going to regulate recreational UAVs
The people here are not antiAMA. Rather it seems those AMA guys with the $30K toys are willing to tranple eveyone else to keep their toys.
Just my two cents. I find it interesting that slow and steady computer controlled loops/patterns are being considered crazy dangerous and needs to be regulated, while doing 3d acrobatics using a human controller is somehow safe. Same thing for the $30000 jet fighter; i've seen videos of these beasts, and they by no stretch seem safer.
I can certainly see how the *location* of flights is important, for both RC and UAV flights. Neither system should be flown in certain areas, and both sides of the debate do so anyway. Just like UAVs are flown over populated areas, so are straight RC planes.
However, for a fair comparison, fly a UAV and an RC plane at the same setting. Suddenly the UAV is really not that different any-more, just another model plane in the air.
As a side note, the "FPV around the Brooklyn bridge" video has nothing to do with drones, and in fairness is much more closely associated with normal RC (in my mind). They are still human pilots with FPV...
And finally, as a sigh of relief, all this is coming from the safety of Canada :)
FPV and UAVs are the future of R/C planes.
Really, why do we, R/C modelers and UAV enthusiasts, fly? It is fun, right? We project ourselves as being a occupant in the planes we fly: In the last century as a pilot on the ground looking up at the plane, and in this century as the vicarious pilot inside at the controls via a video link. What is more fun than being a jet jock or stunt pilot at the controls of your own plane, something that few can afford in real life?
If that reason is not it; if we don't have the desire to experience flight through our aircraft, then we pursue this because we wish to see our aircraft perform, we like to set our creation free to achieve it's potential we've designed it for. In either case, the idea that R/C aircraft will always be flown as only a ground observer is like a camera dealer in the late 1990's persisting with the notion that these new strange digital cameras will never overtake standard film ones. Well, the truth is that flying R/C planes as a ground-based observer can never die, any more than machine guns in jet fighters or combat knives for marines; it is an absolutely necessary skill on which is built more advanced and fun actuation methods. But like the control-line aircraft of the last century, few outdoor model aircraft will be just "R/C" only.
The problem with the knee-jerk reactions by people in both online discussion and government circles is that their drastic response to this new breed of flight and aerial business really does hurt, and it hurts much more than just what on the surface is a bunch of guys with their toy planes.
What is at stake here is more than just a hobby or a business opening: We, the folks who build and fly our "toy planes" are the future engineers and talent that will make incredible advances in full-scale flight and aerial robotics possible. These small planes carry the potential to solve problems that are present in current aircraft / airspace issues; imagine how the Sense-And-Avoid devices we are creating could be used for real manned aircraft. UAV technology is also a critical step toward cheap and accessible personal flight (ok, I'll name what I mean: flying cars). Gathering expertise in small unmanned airplanes is preparing me for the day I'll contribute to these and other tough engineering problems in ways that my university education cannot, and others here like me are doing the same.
My concern is not for if UAVs will be outlawed or regulated in America; it is this: If they are outlawed or regulated, when they will be legalized and/or left alone. In 50 years? In 20 years? Even if UAV's and FPV are made public nuisances or heavily-regulated now only to have such regulation repealed 5 years from now, it would be a devastating loss to us Americans. I can name a handful of countries that would absolutely embrace this stuff due to their agendas, circumstances, or their tolerance and acceptance for new ideas. If we can be left with few barriers or restrictions, we can lead in this area as in others before. If this art is rejected and restricted for a small degree of safety, this nation and the world loses a community of innovators who, in the majority, are trying to make it better.
If we, as a community, are relegated to be controlled by these external forces of popular opinion and government, I feel I would share some of the blame for not having done my part to defend against it. Here is what I am going to do: I wrote this essay; I'm pretty shy for posting much here, but am a member of the silent crowd of observers. I'll continue to contribute to the community. I'll show and share my UAV interests will friends and strangers all the more vigorously. I'll present my research at my student conference. I must sit back and watch some things happen, but I'll do everything else I can.
-Steve
Just wanted to add some "Perspesctive" here as an example of some of "Our" models from the AMA side....This is a F14 with actual moving wings that sweep forward and back and is Turbine powered for the low low price of about $30,000.00
So forgive the guys that have invested in this hobby and find the FAA breathing down their necks because someone wants to fly over a school or a shoping malll and take pictures for a roofing estimate.....I think the new uses of sUAS will generalte jobs, and that is what this country needs, but I hope and pray not at the expense of the hobby I enjoy for the last 5 years....and I hope we can all work with the AMA and the FAA to use a correct approach here to this NPRM
Guys,
I just joined DIY, partially because I see a lot of cool stuff, as well as to let you guys know, the RCU and AMA folks do NOT see you as the Anti-Christ :-)
That is funny.....but NOT.....
The planes here are the same airframes and many of the same propulsion systems I have been using as an AMA member and modeler for the last 5 years......
As AMA members we are NOT against you guys in any way.....there is some killer stuff on here, and as well some cool uses for small planes, i.e. Law enforcement, aerial photos, surveying, surveillance, etc..
Now that BOZO that flew a model FPV around the Brooklyn bridge and was buzzing a park in NYC is NOT doing any good for your cause, or mine!
These advances in technology ARE going to force new regulations and I feel…..(as my opinion) it is the USE of these models that needs regulation, not the models themselves…..weather it is where they are used, or how, or whatever
Some of the proposed rules (Rumors at this point) as a serious threat to what we have been doing in the AMA for the last 75 years, so please forgive some of our members if they lash out at anything that moves and does not fly at their field….but at this point I think we all are in this together and looking out for our respective causes……
So please realize, the AMA is not the ANTI-CHRIST, and we know DIY-Drones is not as well…..
There are some real differences to what we do, as well as some real similarities…..and much of the technology you guys are using is awesome to me…..open source auto pilots, etc….
We are destined to be “Governed” at some point here…..don’t you think it better we work together?
And I do not think the AMA is in this for a power grab either, they are the established CBO (Community Based organization) at this point and have “Governed” aero-modeling on the recreational and competition level for the last 75 years, with a very, very good safety record…..so I think it would be good, again, for us to work together for a common cause…..the advancement of our respective efforts…..
But please be fair in considering some of these sUAS you guys fly or intend to fly over populated areas for commercial use, etc….are very different from the AMA Member out in the sticks at his or her AMA Field.
I for one am NOT against that…..that will provide economic stimulus for a pilot/electronics/computer geek like me!
But it also poses a serious challenge for the FAA and no way is everyone going to come out of this NPRM happy…….
Just my two cents, and thank for letting me in here, as I have been sucked in big time, and am here to stay!
Wow. there really is a lot activity there now.
I think we are now the AntiChrist of AMA.
Most of these apparently uneducated people don't even know that their "model aircraft" are sUAS or perhaps they just never read anything that didn't come out of Muncie.
As far as anyone really know is that the FAA isn't going to have any restrictions put on recreational UAVs.
I honestly think that is what the AMA is worried about, that the FAA will not regulate recreational users.
My guess is that the FAA may say that 55+ lbs. / 100+MPH / 1200+ Alt. are not "model aircraft" and need oversight beyond a "club inspection". That would leave 99% of recreational sUAS no real regulation.
Darren,
Thanks for the thoughtful 'rant'. It was needed.
This is probably going against posting policy, but this is my opinion on a tough subject and I'm going to say it.
When its all said and done, whoz going to tell the birds they can't fly near the airport?
Just like... whoz going to tell the deer it can't cross the road?
Killing all the deer isnt an option, nor is killing our hobby/sport/livelyhood!
Whoz going to tell the uninformed walmart consumer, who buys a rinkydink rc flying thingimabob for his back yard, that he can't fly it...
No more LawnDarts!
IMO this is getting too crazy; get a life people... its a simple matter of facts:
I'ts a hazard going up in the air, for anyone; Big or small.
IMO its better to just plan ahead, join a club, find a safe place to fly, get insurance that covers what you are doing and where your at.
If you don't or can't, then either don't do it and find a better spot, or well... if you kill or hurt someone, you go to jail... it's that simple.
Go on, fly an RC anything (even accidentally) into controlled airspace, cause a rukus, and see who comes looking for you.
However PLEASE!!!!!!!!!! stay the course folks, keep those people in the FAA/AMA informed of what our intentions are: "No harm, Nor foul"
Remember this: Did the Hijackers win? Did they change us? Are we still free to choose between Life, Liberty, and the Persuit of Happiness? Or do we choose enhanced safety from the terrorists by grounding our hobby (or do we even know the difference anymore) or even worse yet, squash our intelect.
Private RC Modeling and Techno Gagets like Autopilots have been around for a long long long time.
How can google get a car to drive with no human input without folks like us!
To be honest, I really love/hate to see where things are going...
for example: I love the robot wars idea of bringing intelligent electronics together to battle it out; imagine if you put two of those recently posted (ugly) paintball monstrosities in an arena setting, it would be a huge hit.
But picture the difference then (if you can visualize it) with the same bot at your door telling you to get down on the ground... well thats just down right scary.
Sorry for the rant :)
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