Growing Pains for Drones

[Gaidin]

The FAA does care about the low level operators, that's why they've resisted imposing more requirements at that level, and for some things have even loosen up (allowing controlled diabetics to fly general aviation, for example).

I actually wouldn't think to suggest otherwise.

It's why I was suggesting earlier about a difference between general aviation licensing and uav licensing, be it professional or private. Theoretically, you could do a lot if a license is required to set aside and prioritize things specifically for the licensed private uav pilots if they stay within their rulesets. Sure, a license is required. But it goes both ways if it's done right. If rules are followed then the FAA goes to bat for the private pilot because that's what the policy says. What those rules would be, hell you'd be a better judge of that than I would. I can only bet on the outcome were it to happen in a technical sense because I've seen it happen in another area, even though, yes, an argument can arise.

Right now it's just the authorities or someone else going "You accidentally flew your plane into something you didn't know was there, pay up" if it wasn't just a crash into the wilderness.

[PKRudeBoy]

I see problems with enforcement though. With a regular plane, there's someone inside it and they will have to land at an airstrip somewhere. With a UAV, on the other hand, you can just abandon it and I don't really see a way to trace it back to you. You might be out a grand or so, but if Shadowrun has taught me anything, it may very well be worth it.

[Gaidin]

I see problems with enforcement though. With a regular plane, there's someone inside it and they will have to land at an airstrip somewhere. With a UAV, on the other hand, you can just abandon it and I don't really see a way to trace it back to you. You might be out a grand or so, but if Shadowrun has taught me anything, it may very well be worth it.

Sounds like more of a problem with having them on the market altogether. That idea's about a few decades too late, at least when considering anything that can fly unmanned and could be left behind.

[Broomstick]

Building from scratch isn't that hard, and the information on how to make a working aircraft has been out in the world for a century now.

[LaCroix]

Most RC pilots build from scratch. Making a big jet isn't that hard. You can build a big styrofoam triangle, put a few wooden struts in, and mount a 100$ pulse-jet on it (or build your own, they are easy to make). Slap 200$ of RC equipment on it, done. Even with the camera equipment, this can be done well under a grand if you know what you do and don't care for looks. The expensive part in RC modelling is making it look like a real plane.

[Broomstick]

Maybe they're still scratch-building in Europe but the US market is becoming dominated by pre-built "ready to fly" or "almost ready to fly" that require minimum building on the part of the pilot.

[Simon_Jester]

Well, that should make things relatively simple- put identifying serial numbers on the parts of the plane. If a remote-controlled aircraft is retrieved and there is reason to think it was involved in a crime, go to the manufacturer and try to figure out who bought that particular plane. There aren't so many RC aircraft hobbyists that this should be hard to do.

Of course, it does nothing to stop the roll-your-own crowd. On the other hand, it doesn't cost much.

[Zaune]

Maybe they're still scratch-building in Europe but the US market is becoming dominated by pre-built "ready to fly" or "almost ready to fly" that require minimum building on the part of the pilot.

They're pretty common over here as well, from what I've seen in magazines in doctor's waiting rooms, but there's always enthusiastic modelmakers who'll either build their own from scratch or modify an existing kit almost beyond recognition.

[LaCroix]

Maybe they're still scratch-building in Europe but the US market is becoming dominated by pre-built "ready to fly" or "almost ready to fly" that require minimum building on the part of the pilot.

At first, you buy pre-built entry level planes. Then you might buy something of higher quality. But most people I know would rather build their own planes from kits or scratch than buy anything RTF. It's frowned upon like a cook using convenience food.

[Broomstick]

Really? I started with scratch-built - but then, I built my first model 40 years ago when RTF wasn't an option.

As I said, it may be different in Europe but around here the new entries are all getting RTF, only the old timers are still buying kits to assemble, much less scratch building. Not just my impression, that's what the local hobby shop owner has told me. He's carrying fewer and fewer kits and more and more RTF's because that's what's selling right now. Nobody seems to frown on it. Seems Americans are more interested in flying than building these days.