Originally Posted by
HoundDog
Franky:
For an educated person that can put a 20 ton fighter on a pitching deck U certainly don't think things through very well. JMHO
Again I'll bet that the people pointing lasers at air craft and flying QUADS on approach paths to busy airports are not AMA members.
Pointing a Laser at any aircraft is a felony and is subject upon conviction to 5 years in federal prison and/or 250 thousand dollar fine.
Now it time for the AMA to partition congress to add Intentional flying of sUAS's in the path of aircraft with the same prison term and fine.
This Threat of Imprisonment and large fine has not deterred people from shining lasers at air craft. What it has done is to make the individual responsible for their actions. The news media commented that there on average 11 laser pointing incidents per day in the USA. The ones that happened most recently where were directed at planes 30 miles from the air port and at 8000'. Incidents of sUAS's interfearing with aircraft are at a miniscule amount and happen at much lower altitudes but all or most have been reported by Landing aircraft and most at an altitude around 2000' AGL.
Again Banning all R/C TOYs from flying over 400' no mater where in the NAS is just competently LUDICROUS. It's akin to closing all places that serve alcohol, for all but the lunch hour, so we won't have any more drunken driving accidents. Or Banning all cars from exceeding 20 MPH so accidents are not so severe. Or Killing all Canada Geese and other birds, in the USA because they cause millions in damage to aircraft and endanger millions of the flying public every year. OH I suppose we should ban all GUNS too, because they are used by individuals to commit crimes and kill people.
Again limiting ALL R/C TOY flying devices to 400' AGL is simply Ludicrous and will not stop the IDIOT.
What it will do is eliminate a large segment of Model Aviation and accomplish NOTHING in the way of sUAS vs maned Aircraft because those that now are causing the problem won't stop or obey the law. Criminals and HOT DOGGERS don't care about the rules and Laws.
Despite the sarcasm and mild personal attack, I don't totally disagree. However, I do understand how lawmakers solve problems, and they use a sledge hammer to put in a finishing nail. If we allow it to become such a problem that they solve it for us, who knows what we'll see. Remember when AMA practically broke an arm patting themselves on the back for section 336? Well, now that it's gone into the rulemaking process, I'd be willing to bet they wish they'd had different language. I fear the same problem, but much worse, if we don't find a way to stop this ourselves (or at least show we're taking strong steps to ensure it's not AMA members).