Idiot Pilots

[CT]

Well it has finally caught up with the general RC pilot population. Today I visited one of my favorite flying fields which is just 3 blocks from my house. Great field for 1400 and under. The park district hired security to roam the premises 1 year ago, primarily
to control loitering from the nearby High School. I have never been hassled by the Park District or their security except today. In the middle of removing my plane from the van, the security guy whom I have not seen before let it be known that I would not be flying there anymore. Asked if there were any complants, he sidestepped the subject and started to rant about security and privacy from "drone" flying.
Long story short, the few idiots who have made National exposure have caught up to the general pilots pop. I strongly encourage everybody to be especially vigilant when flying at a non-sponsored field, and of course fly responsibly, our future hobby which we love may be in jeopardy.
CT

[Lon]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Well it has finally caught up with the general RC pilot population. Today I visited one of my favorite flying fields which is just 3 blocks from my house. Great field for 1400 and under. The park district hired security to roam the premises 1 year ago, primarily
to control loitering from the nearby High School. I have never been hassled by the Park District or their security except today. In the middle of removing my plane from the van, the security guy whom I have not seen before let it be known that I would not be flying there anymore. Asked if there were any complants, he sidestepped the subject and started to rant about security and privacy from "drone" flying.
Long story short, the few idiots who have made National exposure have caught up to the general pilots pop. I strongly encourage everybody to be especially vigilant when flying at a non-sponsored field, and of course fly responsibly, our future hobby which we love may be in jeopardy.
CT

I've had the same thoughts, wondering when national exposure by a few idiots would start effecting the general RC pilot population.  I live in a very small town in rural Iowa (Pop. 400) And this fall, I was asked if I was at the football game last night.  I said no, why? (This person knew I flew RC planes) She replied "at the game last night, someone flew a "drone" over the HS football field during the game." I told her that no responsible RC pilot, would do such a thing. I'm thinking too, someday at the park here in town that I may be confronted like you.  I normally go to our clubs sponsored field.  But sometimes, when I just want to get a quick flight in before sunset, and not drive 40 minutes to the field.  I fly at the park.  sigh...... 

[retiredflyer]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Well that is depressing and disappointing to hear. As usual, the irresponsible few will screw it up for the responsible rest of us. I personally fly off a lonely, non-resident area road so no one has approached me about getting out yet. I think it's great the hobby has expanded to the quadcopter arena, and the technology has become so good as the average person can experience what only what used to be in movies. However the childish mentality of those, as you said CT, idiots, will ruin, and ultimately shut down the sport.

[Hippie 64]

RE: Idiot Pilots

I can say I'm very lucky . I do most of my flying at our local high school on a football/soccer practice field . The grass is better than mine at home and is taken care of like a golf green . One day there was a guy mowing and such , I asked him if I was causing any problems being there . His response was " I wish everyone who came out here was like you . You never make or leave a mess and notice your only here when no one else is ".
I was also told that I pay taxes and I have every rite to use it .
I am very happy because it has a five lane running track around it so if I need a hard surface it's there .
I do feel , knowing the way I am , that if a smart a*s said something that my response is something I cannot post . Unsolicited comments or arguments have been known to get a little ugly . I don't do well with pri*ks or idiots .


Bryan

[Rocketeer]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Greetings Guys,

You are right on the button here.
Last week an Oklahoma legislator submitted a bill that would allow anyone who spots a "drone" within 300 feet of "private property" to legally "remove it from the sky" or "bring it down" by what even means necessary! 

Now, living a state where even the pets have an open carry license, and the locals look for any excuse to fire their shotguns, I see nothing but trouble on the horizon. 

Bill L.
In Okla.

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: Idiot Pilots

The problem is pri*ks and idiots make up a vast amount of the population. With the hobby growing like it is, we are going to hear more and more negative stories about the rc world. Go on you tube and you will see all sorts of idiots flying over parks full of people and parking lots full of cars...places most of us would never fly. Its going to be interesting to see where this hobby will be in 5 years...

Jeff
[hr]

Greetings Guys,

You are right on the button here.
Last week an Oklahoma legislator submitted a bill that would allow anyone who spots a "drone" within 300 feet of "private property" to legally "remove it from the sky" or "bring it down" by what even means necessary! 

Now, living a state where even the pets have an open carry license, and the locals look for any excuse to fire their shotguns, I see nothing but trouble on the horizon. 

Bill L.
In Okla.

Ok...I have to admit... blasting a drone out of the sky with a shotgun sounds kinda fun :D

A new twist on skeet shooting

Jeff

[Loneflier]

RE: Idiot Pilots

I read this thread this morning, and have to admit, it kind of made me a bit apprehensive about the future of RC flying. Like Bryan and you guys, I am always careful where and when I fly, since it is a private field, and am careful not to leave anything behind when I am done. I've had a lot of people pull off the road and come talk to me about flying, and wanting to know how to get started, or simply to watch. So far, no one has ever been negative about it.

But like you all have pointed out, it is up to us to leave a good impression with the public about our hobby, and always be ready to act as an "ambassador" for the hobby when other ask about it. Let's not let a few bad apples ruin this for everyone.

[Grossman56]

RE: Idiot Pilots

I hear you loud and clear!  I have a nice big park not far from me but don't fly there for the simple reason that there are kids there and its surrounded by houses.  Last year at the Fourth of July parade, which is HUGE in Cody (3 hours long) I look up and over the thousands of people, there hovers a drone!
That seems to be the thing, its not us, its the frigging drones!

Grossman56 

[SOB8604]

RE: Idiot Pilots

The drone thing its everywhere unfortunately. It came up again over the weekend here in the Boston area, a United jet going to to Logan reported something ABOVE them as they were on final, they were at about 400 or so feet, no one ever got caught but there it is again right in the news....

[Hippie 64]

RE: Idiot Pilots

My gut feeling is the Drone thing is new and fun , I think it will peak then all the newness will wear off . In the meantime we will have to put up with all the irresponsible little Bastards doing the stupid crap such as the White House and airport thing . 
My hopes anyway 


Bryan 

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Here in Iowa I think the drone phase is just beginning with no end in sight. More and more farmers are getting them to check their crops to see what areas need more fertilizer and what areas don't. Insurance companies are starting to utilize drones to survey fields for crop damage due to hail, wind etc. and adjust their claims accordingly. While these are legitimate uses for drones, its the irresponsible ones that will ruin it for the hobby. Like Loneflier said, "act like ambassadors for the hobby" Hopefully doing that will soften the blow with the new rules and regulations that are inevitably coming. My hope is that the FAA will separate the drones from the model planes with the regulations. I HOPE
I could care less about drones, I just want to fly planes!

Jeff

[StormyDog1962]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Unfortunately in all Hobbies there are a few who operate regardless of public safety and common sense. I did see a news report where DJI is going to modify the software where the Drones will not function in certain areas. Like at the White house, near airports and other sensitive places. I do not have the desire to operate one of these but there is a purpose for them and when used properly and safely can produce some spectacular video. Let's hope Big Brother uses some common sense and makes a distinction between the true Hobbyist  and the idiots.

[Grossman56]

RE: Idiot Pilots

I hope you're right, but I just keep thinking of the responsible gunowners versus the idiots out there, Big Brother seems to have trouble with the distinction there. 
I agree that we as responsible hobbyists set the example to the public.  I've had people walking by when I'm getting ready to take off and its no big deal to wait a minute or so to make sure that its safe for them and for me to take off.  I've actually met some interesting people that way, some who knew people in the past that flew RC for instance.  So you never know.  I'm waiting for someone to cross my path that has a nice big field with a paved road running through it!!!
BTW, does anyone know what the scoop is on BLM land?  We have a great big prairie that has a long stretch of road that is hardly ever used.  The hilly area to to north is used for shooting but this road would be three miles away I'm guessing and it crosses a huge prairie that would be great to fly over.
Also, Yellowstone is just a stones throw away and I've heard that there are RC fields on some of the National Parks, now that would be cool!

Grossman56

[Loneflier]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Wow, Yellowstone?? I didn't know you were so close to that. Visiting there is on my bucket list to see sometime. I have never been there, but flown over few times on business trips. One of these days I want to drive out that way and see Yellowstone, go on into Utah and see the Arches, and take about a month just to travel and visit.

I thought I read somewhere that all National Parks were now No Fly zones for RC planes. Maybe I misunderstood, hope so!

[Grossman56]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Cody is the Gateway to Yellowstone (East Gate) about an hours drive through some amazing country.  Past Cody Dam which s a miniature Hoover Dam and past our reservoir  which is miles long and through the canyon with some cool cliffs. the drive itself is something to see.  The wife and I go up there three or four times a year, sometimes more if we have company coming.  Its really something to see all the seasons.  Tons of Buffalo, Elk, Bear, crazy tourists and one RC pilot who wants to fly in the park!  Whats up with that?

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Greetings GMan,

Have you been feeling any of the many reported tremors eminating from the Yellowstone area??


Bill L.
in Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Naa, only the ones when the public reacts to another Obama speech!
They keep reporting these things like we're about to drop into purgatory, but no one feels anything on ground zero, slow news day I guess

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Greetings Guys,

Hay, you think we have issues with idiots and drone now?
Check this guy out!!!

http://www.ericsonreport.com/drone-with-a-machine-gun/

If these come to bare we are in deep stuff!!

Bill L.
in Okla.

[OV10]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Greetings Guys,

Hay, you think we have issues with idiots and drone now?
Check this guy out!!!

http://www.ericsonreport.com/drone-with-a-machine-gun/

If these come to bare we are in deep stuff!!

Bill L.
in Okla.

WHAT DA SH!T MON. Totally mesmerized and still wondering if that was an American prankster doing some bad rooskienglish like I tried to do in the opening sentence. The outdoor area looks like it was of the southwest US. Well my friend, I just can't imagine that coming either. 

[Rocketeer]

RE: Idiot Pilots

Greetings Charlie,

I know right???

I agree it was definately a bogus accent (the guy in the video).
I have to admit that I totally freaked when he shot the back window out of the car and then sent the drone right through the hole and detonated it!!!

They say what you don't know can't hurt you ........... these days I say Bull Crap!!!
I didn't know about that and it could definately hurt me!!!!


Bill L.
In Okla.