FAA staff
#4

Provided those 20,000 are working to solve issues with manned aircraft I would agree. If it were to become known to the general public that flights are being delayed or new aircraft were being put into service with known flaws while the FAA were chasing model airplane pilots it could make them look even worse.
#5

Provided those 20,000 are working to solve issues with manned aircraft I would agree. If it were to become known to the general public that flights are being delayed or new aircraft were being put into service with known flaws while the FAA were chasing model airplane pilots it could make them look even worse.
So I'm perfectly happy if FAA has some of those 20,000 watching "model airplanes," as that's where the R&D is taking place. And it's not a stretch to think some could be training at RC clubs in the same way the bag guys trained at flight schools. FAA watching "model airplanes" might just provide advance indicators they can feed to DHS and/or DOD.
#7

A model plane that with demonstrated capability to self navigate 10km away shows the capability already exists. The hard part is done. At this point it's just a matter of payload capability. And it was the "model airplane" and drone community that showed it can be done. Any number of videos like this on the web.
#8

OK, so you IMAGINE that SOMEWHERE out there SOMEONE COULD be unknowingly teaching SOMEONE to fly who MAY have harmful intentions with an R/C airplane. Of course that is your reasoning to implement more regulations/laws on individuals who are already breaking the law but adding another layer of laws that can’t be enforced is going to make our skies much safer.
#9

Remote ID helps simplify threat / non-threat sorting problem which makes skies safer. It also helps identify when things are not where they should be which makes skies safer. And it also establishes whether the toy plane community will follow rules or not. Which makes skies safer.
#12

You're making my point - RFID / following the rules simplifies the sorting problem. RFID? No. At a FRIA? No. Then easy to throw into the bad guy category - at least until confirmed not.
#13

Here ya go, a full ten YEARS ago this Ahole was sentenced for doing what's being discussed here.......
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
#16

Here ya go, a full ten YEARS ago this Ahole was sentenced for doing what's being discussed here.......
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
I find this a bit funny actually. Many issues with using an F-86 for that task to the point of being very little risk of success.
#18
Senior Member

Here ya go, a full ten YEARS ago this Ahole was sentenced for doing what's being discussed here.......
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
"BOSTON — A Massachusetts man who admitted to planning to blow up the Pentagon and the United States Capitol using remote-controlled planes laden with explosives was sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison.
The man, Rezwan Ferdaus, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of attempting to damage and destroy a federal building with explosives, and another of attempting to provide material support to terrorists.
Government prosecutors said Mr. Ferdaus had worked with undercover agents to obtain materials to equip F-86 drone aircraft with C-4 explosives and conducted surveillance in Washington, developing plans to detonate them there."
#19

Had this guy fell in with the "right" (for him) people, VS undercover FBI agents, the story coulda had a far different ending.
The one point of optimism in the story is the fact that it was his own Mosque that turned him in to the FBI for talking seriously about blowing stuff up

#20
Senior Member

that is good to hear!
#21

I don't see Air Traffic Controller on lists of high priority in high school guidance offices. Its another field that is seeing a large amount of talent retiring and requires a number of years of training to become efficient.
Maybe if a few billion more could go to automating and updating the ATC system, we wouldn't need so many controllers?
Maybe if a few billion more could go to automating and updating the ATC system, we wouldn't need so many controllers?
#22

My Feedback: (3)

Remote ID helps simplify threat / non-threat sorting problem which makes skies safer. It also helps identify when things are not where they should be which makes skies safer. And it also establishes whether the toy plane community will follow rules or not. Which makes skies safer.
It would take a pilot with advanced skills to fly an overweight model via FPV some distance to a target and place the package on target. I can't see some terrorist putting in the time to become a competent rc pilot to deliver 10 to 20 lb payload when they could deliver a much bigger payload in a vehicle or after soloing in say a 172. After all the biggest bang for the buck is the intent.
Most models would fly terribly if a 10 to 20 lb payload were attached to them. That leaves designing an airframe to lift the weight which most beginners would lack the expertise to design and build such a subject.
They would need a significant piece of property to take off from unobserved and unquestioned as to what they are doing.
The payload and effect would be much more with a vehicle or private full size plane in the hundreds of lbs I would think. All one has to do is solo in a private plane both far less complicated than trying with any of our models.
#23

The Feds stop a guy and throw the book at him for a terrorist act that had no chance of success then publicize the arrest so that those without the knowledge to understand how ill planned the attempt was would buy the propaganda. Some buying into it to the point of thinking it a good example.
#24

The US is facing a ATC staff shortage and technology lag that will cause disruption in commerce and personal air travel, yet the main focus and money spent will be on preventing terrorists from using a DJI as a weapon.
Look, a Squirrel!
Look, a Squirrel!
#25

My Feedback: (1)

What did rc airplanes have to do with 9/11?????????
Using hobby rc for terrorists plots is sort of counterproductive since the purpose is to cause significant damage and the payload of the average model is rather insignificant.
It would take a pilot with advanced skills to fly an overweight model via FPV some distance to a target and place the package on target. I can't see some terrorist putting in the time to become a competent rc pilot to deliver 10 to 20 lb payload when they could deliver a much bigger payload in a vehicle or after soloing in say a 172. After all the biggest bang for the buck is the intent.
Most models would fly terribly if a 10 to 20 lb payload were attached to them. That leaves designing an airframe to lift the weight which most beginners would lack the expertise to design and build such a subject.
They would need a significant piece of property to take off from unobserved and unquestioned as to what they are doing.
The payload and effect would be much more with a vehicle or private full size plane in the hundreds of lbs I would think. All one has to do is solo in a private plane both far less complicated than trying with any of our models.
Using hobby rc for terrorists plots is sort of counterproductive since the purpose is to cause significant damage and the payload of the average model is rather insignificant.
It would take a pilot with advanced skills to fly an overweight model via FPV some distance to a target and place the package on target. I can't see some terrorist putting in the time to become a competent rc pilot to deliver 10 to 20 lb payload when they could deliver a much bigger payload in a vehicle or after soloing in say a 172. After all the biggest bang for the buck is the intent.
Most models would fly terribly if a 10 to 20 lb payload were attached to them. That leaves designing an airframe to lift the weight which most beginners would lack the expertise to design and build such a subject.
They would need a significant piece of property to take off from unobserved and unquestioned as to what they are doing.
The payload and effect would be much more with a vehicle or private full size plane in the hundreds of lbs I would think. All one has to do is solo in a private plane both far less complicated than trying with any of our models.
Miss the entire point much? LOL
Astro