DRONE Report by Fox News, just this morning.

[Avaiojet]

EXTRA EXTRA!

Reported just this morning by Fox News.

Seems commercial pilots have reported near misses fom low flying drones close to airport takeoff and landing areas.

21 such pilot reports since June 21, 2014.

My guess is it won't be long before R/C models will be called drones and require licensing. Classifications based on size and weight?

Some larger size models could be prohibited from flying all together. Could happen sooner than later.

[Paul Smith]

A ready-to-play toy is not a model airplane.  Those things don't even look like helicopters, let alone airplanes.

The more I think about it, the fictional show about a quad-toy bringing down a real chopper is pure fantasy.  The downwash would brush aside the electric toy like a gnat.  Sucked into a jet engine - maybe.  Flown up into a heloicopter - no way.

[Bob Heywood]

I hold out some hope that the toy fad phase of these things will run its course rather quickly and go away. Otherwise, there is a very real chance the FAA will simply lump all R/C activity into one basket. At this point the fad is mushrooming so quickly it is unmanageable. We have a "drone" toy seller setting up shop in our local malls who is openly contemptuous concerning any sort of FAA regulations. He doesn't/didn't even know the AMA exists. His comment; "they have to catch me first...". This guy openly advertises quad copter services that are in direct violation of current FAA regs. $$$$.

www.jaydrones.com

[Tim Wescott]

I hold out some hope that the toy fad phase of these things will run its course rather quickly and go away. Otherwise, there is a very real chance the FAA will simply lump all R/C activity into one basket. At this point the fad is mushrooming so quickly it is unmanageable. We have a "drone" toy seller setting up shop in our local malls who is openly contemptuous concerning any sort of FAA regulations. He doesn't/didn't even know the AMA exists. His comment; "they have to catch me first...". This guy openly advertises quad copter services that are in direct violation of current FAA regs. $$$$.

www.jaydrones.com

I don't think it's going to be a fad -- the whole aerial photography part of it just has too many legitimate uses (not to mention illegitimate uses that have nothing to do with safety) for it to die off.  Trying to simply put a stop to it will be like trying to keep a pressure cooker from steaming by putting a weight on the safety valve -- it may work for a little while, but the ultimate consequence really won't be good.

Hopefully a way forward can be found that won't put us all under the FAA lens.  Hopefully the AMA can foster that process.  Hopefully...

[RC Storick]

I hope the separate RC from control line in plain language.

[JoeJust]

Hopefully a way forward can be found that won't put us all under the FAA lens.  Hopefully the AMA can foster that process.  Hopefully...
[/quote]

With the AMA promoting "Drones" aggressively (see page 102 of the recent MA edition,  an ad they accepted for a devise that retails for nearly $9000) and other full color ads through out the edition I think the AMA  at this point in history really is out of touch with dangers the "Drones"  will be causing.
Joe

[Randy Cuberly]

I don't think it's going to be a fad -- the whole aerial photography part of it just has too many legitimate uses (not to mention illegitimate uses that have nothing to do with safety) for it to die off.  Trying to simply put a stop to it will be like trying to keep a pressure cooker from steaming by putting a weight on the safety valve -- it may work for a little while, but the ultimate consequence really won't be good.

Hopefully a way forward can be found that won't put us all under the FAA lens.  Hopefully the AMA can foster that process.  Hopefully...

I agree whole heartedly with Tim!

These things are not going away.  I still don't believe one could do any real damage to an airliner or a helicopter, and I don't really believe all the so called "sightings".  

A commercial airial photography drone is another thing entirely, and potentially could do some serious damage to an airliner with a direct hit on the cockpit.  They are larger and much heavier!

However there are already regulations in place to prevent their operation near airports!

Randy Cuberly

[Tim Wescott]

With the AMA promoting "Drones" aggressively (see page 102 of the recent MA edition,  an ad they accepted for a devise that retails for nearly $9000) and other full color ads through out the edition I think the AMA  at this point in history really is out of touch with dangers the "Drones"  will be causing.

I don't see accepting an ad as promotion, and I know that there are some serious modelers that are willing to spend that much on a model.  It doesn't surprise me that there's quite a bit of cross-pollination going on, and I think that it's perfectly fair for modelers to buy "professional drones", as long as they stick to non-commercial use.

Frankly, I think that drones can be a great good for both modeling and for commercial aviation, if they're handled right.

[Randy Cuberly]

I don't see accepting an ad as promotion, and I know that there are some serious modelers that are willing to spend that much on a model.  It doesn't surprise me that there's quite a bit of cross-pollination going on, and I think that it's perfectly fair for modelers to buy "professional drones", as long as they stick to non-commercial use.

Frankly, I think that drones can be a great good for both modeling and for commercial aviation, if they're handled right.

On the other hand if there was a serious accident involving one of the advertised drones you can bet that the AMA would be involved in the litigation right along with the folks that placed the Ad.

They might not be held to full liability but at least as promoters of a "Dangerous Product".

Up goes our dues!!!

Randy Cuberly

[Mike Keville]

. . . They might not be leld to full liability but at least as promoters of a "Dangerous Product".

Up goes our dues!!!

====================================================

...resulting in a significant decrease in membership.

[Mike Griffin]

Two things here.  First the labeling of these quad copters as "Drones" by the media irks the Hell out of me.  These things are multi rotor toys.  A drone is something that the military uses for recon or neutralizing an enemy target.  It's like calling a tactical semiautomatic rifle like a AR platform rifle an "Assault Rifle". I never heard that term the whole time I was in the service.  These are terms that the media love to use to make something sound more sinister than it is.

Secondly, and this is a personal decision, I do not compete anymore and this will be my last year to belong to AMA.  I have written two CL related articles this year for the magazine and did not even get the courtesy of a written reply saying they were not going to print them.  IMHO the magazine sucks.  PAMPA is a much better organization and I wish there was some way it could morph into an orginization that can fight for the survival of flying models because AMA certainly isn't getting it done.  For most competitive stunt flyers AMA is a necessary evil.

There has just got to be a better alternative waiting to be initiated.

Mike

[RC Storick]

http://video.foxnews.com/v/3913014028001/faa-surge-in-near-collisions-between-planes-and-drones/?intcmp=ob_article_sidebar_video&intcmp=obnetwork#sp=show-clips 

[Russell Shaffer]

I think any rc airplane is being labeled as a drone.  I wouldn't want to see the results of a quarter scale rc plane colliding with a light plane, either. 

[Steve Helmick]

"For most competitive stunt flyers AMA is a necessary evil."

Well, yes and no. We don't have to have AMA sanctions for our contests, since there is no potential for record setting. We can still have AMA Site Insurance and still require AMA membership OR you might potentially be allowed to show a copy of your Homeowner's/Renter's Insurance policy, instead of an ama card. Would that be better? Maybe not?

If you don't know about AMA insurance, it jumps in line right behind your Homeowner's/Renter's Insurance. It's secondary insurance. But if you want to fly in the NATS or the Team Trials, then yes, you'll need to step up for AMA Membership.  Steve

[Garf]

I have seen several news reports on major networks reporting drone sightings from aircraft. They are the first I have seen on major news services. This is beginning to concern me given the governments tendency to use a shotgun approach to regulations.

[Paul Smith]

I think the difference between a model aircraft and a "drone" is line-of-sight visual control vs some sort of GPS, satelite, or cellular control system that extends the range beyond visual. 

The other key difference is SIZE.  In the past, "drones" were full size airplanes retrofitted with radio control.  Model airplanes were small machines less than 5 kg in mass with a wingspan less than 2 meters.  Unfortunately real modelers, not drone toy makers, crossed the size line.  Now we have Model Aviation magazine celebrating the construction of models whose size and mass are in the man-carrying range.  No, they don't have pilot seats, but some of the bigger RC monsters are heavier than ultra-light aircraft.  The FAA has due cause to be concerned.

[Sean McEntee]

Two things here.  First the labeling of these quad copters as "Drones" by the media irks the Hell out of me.  These things are multi rotor toys.  A drone is something that the military uses for recon or neutralizing an enemy target.  It's like calling a tactical semiautomatic rifle like a AR platform rifle an "Assault Rifle". I never heard that term the whole time I was in the service.  These are terms that the media love to use to make something sound more sinister than it is.

Secondly, and this is a personal decision, I do not compete anymore and this will be my last year to belong to AMA.  I have written two CL related articles this year for the magazine and did not even get the courtesy of a written reply saying they were not going to print them.  IMHO the magazine sucks.  PAMPA is a much better organization and I wish there was some way it could morph into an orginization that can fight for the survival of flying models because AMA certainly isn't getting it done.  For most competitive stunt flyers AMA is a necessary evil.

There has just got to be a better alternative waiting to be initiated.

Mike

I think it's hilarious how many people think "AR" means "Assault Rifle"

The term "drone" is an old and antiquated term. Post WWII the British conducted a series of Unmanned aircraft test. One of which was an unmanned version of the Tigermoth, dubbed "queen bee" giving us our first returnable/reusable UAV.   From there, the Brits jokingly referred to all single-use UAVs as "drones".  The name stuck so well it spread to describe all UAVs. I imagine the media uses it, as inaccurate as it is, because it is less cumbersome.

[john e. holliday]

Well most of the media experts don't check their facts most of the time and have little smarts about what they are reporting.   Listen to the questions after some big wheel has given a speech.   I swear they never listened to the person making the speech.

[Sean McEntee]

I know, doc....I know ......   

[Dick Pacini]

When my kids were young, they referred to some of the class under-achievers as "drones." 

[Steve Riebe]

I don't know how this problem with "quads" will get corrected. The AMA rules and the FAA rules are made with good intentions, but what about enforcement? By the time a restricted air space flight is reported and finally filters down to LEO's and a response is made, the pilot and his/her quad is likely long gone, or it was in a lost control attitude during the incident. Anyone with the money can go to hobbytown or the internet and buy one. I'm sure the attraction is they are fairly easy to fly, and because they need no runway space owners can and will fly out of their back yard or wherever.  My son has already lost 2 of them (about $125 each). Could they have wound up in restricted air space? Where is the incentive to join an RC club and fly only at the club field?  I doubt any of the hobby shops or internet providers is going to make the sale of these contingent on a review of the rules, they just want to make a buck so the rent and utilities can be paid. Maybe they should be treated like guns and registered with ID numbers permanently attached so the owners can be tracked.

[Shultzie]

Just about a week ago....A near by neighbor's roof which is a very complicated, steep, and dangerous one.... was seriously damaged by a huge Matrona tree that fell onto their  roof during one of our horrific wind storms.
They tried obtaining a contractor to give an estimate....however in vain... because of all these high wind and rain storms.. and the real danger of a roofing contractor sending a live human being up in this high wind and rain...to peform an accurate estimate could really be an issue.
After many phone calls...they finally located  this gentleman (who was previously a CL & Radio control drone flyer...plus a real camera expert) who contacted one of the leading roofing experts in the Tacoma area and they used this drone expert to quickly and accuately perform that roofing company's estimate with the photos that he took with his camera mounted drone.
The photos were absolutely beautiful and here are but a couple of ones that I took during his flying assignment.. before he finished his estimate with his drone.
Here are a couple of photos I took during one of his last flights.
He also has been in high demand lately  for many projects such as retail plot and home building design company's!

dronecityphoto.com.

[john e. holliday]

And he probably does it in a safe and sane manor plus is insured>

[John Fitzgerald]

I am curious to see how many of us think the banning of traditional r/c flying will happen.  I think it easily could be banned.   To the FAA, our AMA means almost nothing IMO.  If banned, how many of those people will take up control line or ff?

[john e. holliday]

How many guys are left that remember when model planes, the gas powered ones were banned in some cities.   When I was in school in Columbus Ohio for the phone company, was told I could not fly within the city limits.  Lucky for me there was a high school just down the road a couple of blocks from the motel.

[Randy Cuberly]

I am curious to see how many of us think the banning of traditional r/c flying will happen.  I think it easily could be banned.   To the FAA, our AMA means almost nothing IMO.  If banned, how many of those people will take up control line or ff?

I seriously doubt that R/C will ever be banned outright!  It's a fairly large industry and they do have some money and clout and lots of lawyers.
I would expect it to be more regulated than it is now and I would expect "Park Flying etc" is likely to be highly restricted or banned altogether!  Flying over populated areas like houses etc probably will be banned.

If restrictions like that are made on a full scale I expect control line to be lumped in right along with R/C.  Most townships and even some counties will find it easier and less expensive to just ban the operation of all flying models rather than deal with the individual differences which most of them will not understand.

Model flying of any type could easily be restricted to specific areas (usually remote) away from populated areas.  In fact that has happened in some areas already.

Randy Cuberly