Originally Posted by
grognard
On the other hand -- the FAA "gets it". FAR Part 107 does NOT refer to model aircraft as "toys". It calls them small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). Operators are Pilots In Command (PICs) just as they are in the full-scale world. Might be a little pretentious, yes. But at least the FAA understands that if you expect people to behave in a professional manner there's no harm in giving them a little professional respect. You don't belittle them in order to put them in their place.
Don't be fooled that because the FAA gave our toys an official designation, that they think that they are any more relevant than they were. You can put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig. Rest assured this sUAS thing is just a PIA of the FAA. Other than to insure the safety of their NAS, the FAA wants nothing to do with our toys! It has nothing to do with them all of a sudden, "giving us a little professional respect".
Astro