I've been hearing about a new UAV company called Whisper Aerospace that's focused on the low end of the nascent domestic commercial sector. Founders include our own Patrick Egen and Lucien Miller, the electrical engineer who does the terrific Power Systems Corner on the All Things That Fly podcast and runs Inno8tiveDesigns.
The company is still in stealth mode, but here's what they are saying about their plans:
"Whisper Aerospace is a new company founded by a group of individuals with a very diverse range of technical skills, all working to create and bring to market the first Commercial/Civilian UAVs that will be able to fly in the NAS (National Airspace System). Our UAVs will feature reasonable payload capacity and operational performance, thereby offering clients considerable flexibility in solving their needs for an airborne platform that is not hampered by the relatively low performance and restricted operational capabilities of current systems. Multiple communications protocols and power sources will be available inside our standardized payload modules in order to make it easier to integrate client hardware. Our ground control systems will be very user-friendly and offer a wide range of options and customizable features."
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I have moved on to the military side of things and so, haven’t really had time to keep up with the folks from the Whisper project. That’s not to say that I’ve given up on these types of projects (only smaller), just gotta get the old foot in the door.
I have to tell you, you are full of BS. Simple as that. You are truly full of it. I have never had to say that to anyone in a public forum. But you my friend are full of it. And there are tons and tons of people in RCGroups and in many other forums who will call BS on your above statement. Moving on, I can not continue to listen to this BS.
First off, I don’t make any income from the RCAPA (or whisper), it actually costs me money.
They had someone on from AUVSI and I don’t hear you whinging about that??? Fred Marks wasn’t on the ARC representing anyone but FMA in the beginning. In fact, they wanted to boot Fred off (or impose disciplinary action) when he shared information with the Farm Bureau. I stepped in and defended Fred on this and other occasions as well as the AMA and non-AMA positions. I don’t want to get too far into the weeds about what I think the modeler is going to get here. Interesting you brought up FPV. Just how do you think the AMA rule 550 came about, do you think it just came out of thin air??? After a bunch of what is going on here now 5 to 10 people took the reins and wrote up a damn fine proposal. We got that done in record time! Is it great? No, but it’s better than being banned altogether. I suggested that the UK brigade do the same and I’d see if I could get something rolling with BMFA, but it was laughed at and I was maligned. Do I take it personal? No, I realize most folks are just frustrated. I’m frustrated by a system that arbitrarily takes away peoples freedoms for no good reason. Am I going to quit and let Bruce and the boys at the UAPO down, heck no! (Read my blog if you want an unvarnished account of the ARC)
Since I’m on the rant…
I personally like the DIY Drones concept, but can’t endorse anything that would make the current integration situation worse. I know… how can it get any worse than this? It could get a lot worse to the point where we lose all of our freedom with this hobby. There was no one there but Fred and myself pulling for the non-AMA member. For example, there was talk of restricting model aviation to between 25 and 30 miles away from class “B” airports. The only place you could fly in SF was out on the beach in the Sunset!!! To most of these folks we are just playing with toys.
We are as Ira likes to say, “The mouse on the dance floor!”
Fred Marks, founder of many RC business - Lead Engineer for ACE RC - Founder FMA Direct. Etc...etc..
Is he on the ARC to represent FMA - Answer: NOPE....
Is he on the ARC representing AMA - Answer: NOPE
He is on the ARC at the request of the FAA because of his skill in this field. Unlike Mr. Egan. Who is on the committee to make sure his beloved RCAPA continues so he has an income, and to make sure he weaves his agenda to his advantage for the commercial side.
Either way - it doesn't really matter anymore. The way the regulations are going, it will not be long before our precious hobby like RC Gliding, FPV, even your side Chris - Ardupilot gets tightly regulated to the point where no one cares to even bother buying the gear anymore. Sad - but true. Look to UK recent decision if you need clarity on how a few idiots can sour the water for the rest of us. They are now bound to VLOS, and FPV has been deemed illegal based on the new rules put in place over there. Everyone is writing there MPs as we speak to get the new rules over turned. Check the link:
Only time until USA gets hit with this same BS
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