Today Congress decided to here calls for drone safeguards http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-drones-privacy-20130321,0,4517531.story While on the surface this looks to be a good thing, from the quote below: "The thought of government drones buzzing overhead and constantly monitoring the activities of law-abiding citizens runs contrary to the notion of what it means to live in a free society," Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) said Wednesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that explored whether legislation was needed to curtail drone use to protect civil liberties. We hobbyists need to pay attention to what is happening. The recent, and I will say it, Moron who flew near JFK airport ( http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/03/ufo-black-drone-fbi/ ) did not help matters. I fly FPV and an AR Drone 2.0, I have a lot invested in the hobby of my choice. We all need to be careful of where we fly, make sure we fly safe and well away from spectators, and we all need to be ambassadors of our hobby by helping to inform the uninformed on what our hobby really is. One of the best ways I have found is to hand the "extra" screen or goggles to a curious bystander and take them on a flight as a co-pilot (give then a seat or let them sit down.....don't let them become disoriented)......most people will be amazed at the thrill they get being in flight like that. You will always come across someone who will make the comment, "wow, you can spy on.....fill in the blank". I let them know that is not what my aircraft is for, it is for the thrill of feeling like I am in the air. Most of my "copilots" have become pilots themselves. This helps me at the hobby store too, more stuff always in stock and a grateful store owner!!!
Extremely good points. I agree that we need to have a clear voice in how drones will be regulated, especially while legislation is still being drafted. Kudos to you for helping to spread awareness regarding the capabilities AND proper, responsible usage of such devices.
Thanks, It is important to make sure we are all responsible and do not do anything that would help "take our sport away". I have asked an "idiotic" pilot or two to leave the flying location until they "learn how to fly" when I see them do dangerous or irresponsible flying....in one case the pilot lost his club rights to use the flying field (note, do not "buzz the crowd" at our clubs flight location). Now Texas is in "Panic Mode"... http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/05/texas-bans-most-private-drone-use-fearing-spying/
