ORIGINAL: 804
Until recently, we have not had the ability to fly 5 or so miles away, have not had the ability to fly by video, and record by video, and post video for all to see, good or bad.
This is not about what we as hobbiests think anymore, we are no longer out of sight, out of mind.
This is about what the public thinks from the standpoint of media spin,
how FAA reacts to that, and what we may need to do to counter that should the worst happen.
I am not uncomfortable with FPV as a technology by itself.
I am bothered by the way many, and I mean many, not just a few, practice FPV.
Why would I expect modelers flying FPV as a class to act any less responsibly than I do?
Because in my estimation, and in the opinion of many, many others, they do.
804,
I respect your perspective on issues that concern us as modelers.........we wouldn't be having this discussion if that were not so. I will respond with my take on your legitimate concerns, but later. When I get to pontificating too much I get an eerie sense that I'm stifling discussion and that deprives me of an opportunity to learn from others, my real reason for being here.
One thing by way of an interim summation sort: as this is discussion about AMA and what we feel AMA should/should not do, is it better to welcome/enable FPV modelers to do their thing within AMA's sphere of influence (as they have done and nicely documented with the latest version of AMA Doc 550), or kick them to the curb and attempt to influence FAA/other-powers-that-be to ban the activity in the interest of protecting our public image?
Tnx, out for a break, CU later.
CJ