Dick,

It's been 20+ years since I was actively flying; that covered the time when the radios changed from SSB to VHF. Once in the air, and with decent eyesight, I think we were more than 400' out, but not significantly, our field was bigger than that. I realize that the military control systems have very different control technology,but they are essentially "grown up models". My point was mainly that R/C Models without much government control-- it's probably one of the few activities that they haven't butted into yet.

That said I am unalterably against the FAA giving there blessing to unlimited drones over our homeland, except for very limited law enforcement and search and rescue missions. The thought of thousands of drones mixing it up with all the commercial and private flights over towns and cities is an invitation to disaster.

I haven't seen anything in the news about the $10,000 fine, but I suspect it was unlicensed.

I love the hobby... but I have seen irresponsible people do irresponsible things.

The R.C. field in my home town is MILES from the airports and NOT in any flight path, save one; the RARELY used paths assigned to medical helicopters flying from the towns in the S.E. to our regional medical center and specialty hospitals.

And even though the field is basically on a closed down Solid Waste Landfill, there are a number of subdivisions in every direction and over the years there have been a number of VERY expensive accidents caused by irresponsible pilots being irresponsible. I've SEEN it with my own two eyes. :x

Contrary to popular belief, MOST regulations are put into place because of something bad that has already happened in an attempt to keep it from happening again.....

This is really ridiculous. My son started flying radio controlled aircraft many years ago. One of his planes had a seven foot wingspan with a two cylinder weed wacker size engine. There was no problem with this, it was a hobby. He had a jet plane powered by a battery powered electric fan engine that flew well over 70 MPH. It too was a just a radio controlled plane. At one point her put a camera in a plane and recorded his whole flight. It was still a radio controlled airplane. Then he advanced to radio controlled helicopters, performing stunts. Again it was just a radio controlled helicopter. No problem. One of his friends put a gimbaled camera on a radio controlled helicopter. OMG it’s a drone.
My son now builds four bladed helicopters a quad-copter it is considered a drone, come on. The technology has progressed so far that people are flying planes, helicopters and quad-copters with cameras. You can actually get gear to allow you to use the camera real time with special receivers to fly the device as if you were in the cockpit.
I find the term drone interesting. It was a military term used for unmanned aircraft. A normal person flying a quad-copter is not out to kill or harm anyone. It is their hobby, it is not a drone used for spying or destroying targets. Like anything else there will be people that will use the things for nefarious reasons. I am sure paparazzi would have no qualms using it to catch someone in an awkward sellable situation.
Now why is it illegal to make money with his hobby? He would love to take videos of houses and the surroundings for a realtor. Many amateur photographers use their skill to sell photos they take what is the difference?