What disappoints me is the lack of professionalism and imaturity demonstrated by Mr. Mathewson. AMA's history is a moot point in this case. With advances in technology the AMA membership (20% <= 19 years old) now had access to fly unmanned aircraft out of the pilots line of sight. This places an unlicensed pilot at the controls of the machine with no requirements as to the pilots knowledge of airspace regulations. As I mentioned earlier I have had conversations with FPV pilots who self admit taking photos from within 10 miles of a class B airspace at an altitude between ground level and 3000 ft.
IMHO both FAA and AMA are having difficulty understanding the issues at hand. I am a person that would prefer to believe that human beings always assume personal responsibility but have seen behavior to prove myself wrong far too many times in my 57 years. This includes the idiotic activities of my young adulthood.
There is allot at stake here: I hope folks on both ends can down-regulate their testosterone receptors; not listen to pride and ego and address the situation at hand through definition of the hobby, potential risks, known rewards and democratic process.
Perhaps something like this:
The AMA believes that any sudden action to limit the use of FPV aircraft by the general hobbyist interferes with the constitutional rights of both the manufacturers and hobbyists alike.;
The AMA recognizes that the capabilities of remote controlled aircraft have changed: allowing the operator to fly beyond line of sight. The AMA acknowledges additional risks to civilian non-participants and suggests go-forward strategy wherein the AMA and FAA create a special committee to 1) determine if further legislative activity is required and 2) draft such legislation with sufficient public comment period as would be the case with any new or altered FAR. Until such time the AMA will notify its membership of the need to assure FPV aircraft are flown within line of sight of the operator or his/her designated lookout. All rules for maximum altitude and operating distance from airports listed on common sectional charts will remain the same.