My apologies for not posting this sooner but, as happens, life got in the way.
Guilty as stated, I did not verify the validity of the video.
I saw it as something that all modelers should be aware of regarding this new craze of drones/quadcopters/whatever.
Did this really happen? Most likely not, as people can be very creative with videos.
It is indeed, however, most thought provoking.
Could it happen? I would say definitely yes. While the majority of the people who fly these may be quite responsible, there is a lunatic fringe bent on nothing more than creating problems – possibly very severe problems. And, as tools, they use items that can be purchased anywhere.
Case in point: how many issues have arisen with people pointing lasers at commercial aircraft? One is too many but it has happened all too often. I see the same things possibly happening with the quadcopters.
I have a close friend who, before retiring, was in charge of air traffic control at the Willow Grove NAS/JRB. He told me of multiple incidents where RC planes were involved in close encounters with full scale departing aircraft. These RC planes were flying from a closed airport around five miles from the base. A number of investigations were led by SP and local law enforcement, with visions of jail time. As far as I know, none of the perps were caught. The reports, by the way, were made by the actual Navy pilots.
The many incidents I’ve heard about and witnessed may not have involved modelers or AMA members, just troublemakers. BUT none the less, these incidents are seen as relating to model aircraft and that involves us all.
Will there ever be an incident involving quadcopters a full-scale aircraft? I think so but I hope I’m wrong.
Bob Z.
Topic: Your ama dues are defending this kind of crap. (Read 4767 times)
