ORIGINAL: cj_rumley
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
I hope no one takes my earlier comments to mean I hate, or am fearful of FPV in general. I'm not. I may well like to get into it someday.
I think AMA's position is taken from what they felt they (we) had to do:
Embrace the new kids on the block , both from a moral, all inclusive standpoint, (not to mention money to be made)
and keeping an eye on safety by way of line of sight operation. I'm all for it.
AMA's position will, I feel, help protect our public image, because it keeps FPV within the realm of modeling, pretty much as we (and the public) have known it.
But, cfircav8tor made an excellent point earlier: "In the past you got involved in R/C aviation through a love of flying and aircraft. With FPV many have no interest in aviation beyond the the point that it is a tool to carry their equipment to specific vantage points."
Right or wrong, many see FPV as an entirely separate hobby. And if we talk about going out beyond line of sight, the distinction becomes even greater. Is it flying a model airplane, or is it operating an airborne camera?
This past summer, I for the first time in about 20 years went flying in a couple of light aircraft. I got to fly a Mooney around, and I took an intro lesson in a R-22 heli.
They were both from the same airport, Indy Metro, about 20 or so mi. North of downtown Indy.
So, fairly busy and crowded airspace. I was struck by how easy it was to actually fly both machines, but how much concentration it took to keep track of what
is going on outside the cockpit.
I'll be honest, I've adjusted my attitude a little concerning the possibility and plausibility of mixing full scale and FPV and UAV and Drones and whatever.