Originally Posted by
HoundDog
What's so different about (MR's Quads/Drones). They Fly, they Use Radio control, They have an auto pilot stabilization system so do many of the newer trainers that are supposed to make Self Taught Pilots a possibility. The only real difference between Quads and fixed wing is they are able to be launched and recovered just about anywhere. Here in is the problem, these people, for the most part, Don't know or don't care, or even realize there is a safety issue about when and where they fly.
The difference between DRONES (DRONES are not necessarily MR's. They can be fixed-wing as well) is exactly what you said, "
The only real difference between <snip> is they are able to be launched and recovered just about anywhere. Here in is the problem, these people, for the most part, Don't know or don't care, or even realize there is a safety issue about when and where they fly."
I don't agree that the simple fix is to make them join the AMA and then they will "magically" be aware of and follow the rules.
DRONES are a completely different hobby from traditional modeling (has been discussed/debated at length in other threads) in that it is NOT about the building and flying of model aircraft, it is about the technological capabilities (auto-pilot, camera, GPS, video, etc.). Due to this, they are operated in different environs and under different conditions than our 'traditional' model aircraft. This can be clearly evidenced by all the negative press they have received in the past couple of years. The general public has no problem with 'traditional' model aviation as evidenced by our almost 80 years of stellar relationships and almost zero issues.
Astro