Originally Posted by
FLAPHappy
Duncman: I feel exactly the same way you do. My gut feeling is they , meaning the FAA will define EXACTLY WHAT TYPE of aircraft they are talking about, but also give spec's of these aircraft. Right now we do not know anything until the Rule is out. I do not think they are concerned about Traditional RC Aircraft, for the last 50 years or so. This hobby is a Big Money dollar business , weekly, but will conduct their business of Personnel Safety of Aircraft in the Flying Public, their First concern, I agree with that, and they should! That is their JOB!
I do not think they will want every modeler to register their aircraft.......Can you just Imagine the confusion!!!!!!!!!! Serial numbers for every aircraft, NO WAY HOSE. Ain't gonna happen, relax.
I am hoping you are correct but at this time I do not have a warm and fuzzy. I can't help but remember that we are dealing with an agency that at one time or another considered controlling all airspace from the ground up everywhere not just within 5 miles of an airport, which is probably still on the table, or the one that was bantered about requiring RC pilots within the 5 mile radius of a controlled airspace to get clearance to fly from the tower, which also may still be on the table.
There is a formula in place for at least a knee jerk reaction and at worst emplacement of draconian measures. First the FAA is in an empire building mode, second they have a noble cause in the Drone issue, third they have been given a drop dead date by both the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government. Mix all this together in a bowl and bake for a while at 350* and you get disaster cake. I apologize for my pessimism but I spent 25 years working for them, I know all to well how quickly things can spiral out of control and the effort required to effect recovery. My optimism side does tell me that eventually we will get it right but at what effort.