ORIGINAL: KidEpoxy
folks here talk of all the thought that went into this,
could some of that refered thought get pasted in here to explain the rationale to my repeated question of unsafe Buddyboxing? Or maybe paraphrased to put sense to the silly buddybox weight limits
Well perhaps I wasn't clear in [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8276179/anchors_8276179/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#]Post #9[/link] and [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8276179/anchors_8276179/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#]Post #16[/link], so I'll try this again..
The 5 of us wanted the FPV guidelines accepted by the AMA the first time. We didn't want to waste community time, nor the AMA's time going back and forth trying to negotiate the impossible.
As far as weight we took a [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=892862]community poll[/link] for 30 days and had people vote. We knew asking for unlimited weight wouldn't work. There was plenty of discussion on the subject. For example you can see a post by [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10141644#post10141644]JettPilot and TVDude[/link] saying "There should be no additional weight limits placed on FPV" and "Your FPV guidelines are poorly thought out, you making them so restrictive implys that FPV is more dangerous than normal RC Flying".. In the end the public voted and that's what we submitted to the AMA. There is no smoke and mirrors behind what we submitted. The 5 of us listened to the community, compiled the information and submitted it.
As far as the buddy box... Once again as I stated in [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8276179/anchors_8276179/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#]Post #16[/link] I was told by Muncie if we came to a compromise and allowed the buddy box rule, we had a very good chance of getting SC550 cleared by the end of the year. Our original document included the use of Spotters and limited the range of flight to VLOS, no buddy box. So it was basically the debate of accept SC550 with the buddy box in there, or walk away and throw everything the community worked on over the summer away. As I've stated before, I talked with Muncie and it was agreed we could look at cutting the cord later on down the road. If you want to know more information on WHY the buddy box was essential then I'd suggest you contact your DVP or someone that was at the meeting.
In fact to [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=10408838#post10408838]quote Hossfly...[/link]quote Hossfly..
ORIGINAL: Hossfly
4. My BIG Fear: RC pilots are NOT trained for Situational Awareness and when they have goggles on they will never see anything but their model. In fact my experience dictates most are far too focused even without goggles. For the past 30 years so many young pilots are "instrument pilots" from day one. They don't know how to "Check Six" or what it means. Once the RC people start using these Video machines all the younger ones will want the same and never learn to be aware of the potential weapon they are trying to control.
If you look at the [link=http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/design_approvals/uas/reg/media/uas_guidance08-01.pdf]UAS Guidance document[/link] the FAA put out carefully, I'm sure you'll see why there is the need for two people. In that document specifically look at section 8.2.1 which states...
The task of the observer is to provide the pilot of the UAS with instructions to steer the UA clear of any potential collision with other traffic. Visual observer duties require the ability to maintain visual contact with the UA at all times while scanning the immediate environment for potential conflicting traffic. At no time will the visual observer permit the UA to operate outside their line-of-sight. This ensures that any required maneuvering information can be reliably provided to the PIC.
AND Section 9.1 which states the following..
• One pilot in command (PIC) must be designated at all times.
• The PIC of an aircraft is directly responsible, and is the final authority of, the operation of that aircraft.
• Pilots must not perform crew duties for more than one UAS at a time.
• Pilots are not allowed to perform concurrent duties both as pilot and observer.
Since the AMA has a member, Rich Hanson, on the ARC they are privy to information that may affect model aviation. If they buddy box makes it easier for the AMA when it comes to the FAA, then so be it. Again once the AMA gathers data on safe model FPV flight, the rules can be discussed and changed.