An interesting discussion on drones. Let's take a realistic approach. First, who labeled them drones ? I don't know. The FAA ? Some other govt. official ? Perhaps. You can be pretty sure it was someone who wanted to create panic with the general population. After all what is the first thing that comes to mind when you mention drone . . . . Spying ? Something hovering outside your bedroom window ? Or maybe your car or house suddenly blown up. The first ones ( hexacopters, octocopters, or whatever ). Were put together by hobbyists to try to capture images that otherwise required an expensive plane. Of all the articles and ads I have read none mention spying on your neighbors. Instead they show the usefulness of these vehicles as tools for documentation and education. And some just for the joy of flying them the same as any other model airplane. Someone is desperately trying to create a negative public image of these devices . . NSA perhaps ? I see tremendous positive potential for these things. Surveying, wildlife studies, photographing remote areas, emergency searches, unique photographic angles of difficult subjects . . . . . And I am sure there are dozens of uses which could eliminate having to use an expensive aircraft, not to mention photographing areas that conventional aircraft simply cannot safely access.

So what is the down side to this ? The most obvious answer would be IDIOTS.
Common sense should tell you not to fly near an airport or it's approach & take off points. Don't fly it down the highway, causing an unsafe distraction, do not fly near emergency operations i.e. Fire or police operations , do not Hoover outside your neighbors window. Don't be a show off or use it recklessly where you could endanger someone's health. DO NOT invade someone's privacy. Get permission - a little good will goes a long way.

I am all for this technology if used in a positive and responsible manner. It has so much positive potential.

So what is the down side to this ? The most obvious answer would be IDIOTS.
Common sense should tell you not to fly near an airport or it's approach & take off points. Don't fly it down the highway, causing an unsafe distraction, do not fly near emergency operations i.e. Fire or police operations , do not Hoover outside your neighbors window. Don't be a show off or use it recklessly where you could endanger someone's health. DO NOT invade someone's privacy. Get permission - a little good will goes a long way.

I am all for this technology if used in a positive and responsible manner. It has so much positive potential.

Guys, MOST of the current anti-drone legislation is out of sheer ignorance.

SERIOUSLY!

State legislators hear the word "Drone" associated with killing terrorists abroad and have the knee jerk reaction of banning them, incorrectly thinking that ALL drones are dangerous and can be used for assassinations or surveillance.

The F.A.A. wants to control them because they could present a hazard to aviation.

I think they should be regulated like R.C. Model airplanes and helicopters.

Hey... that's a good question! If I put a GoPro on my R.C. model Helicopter and take pictures, can/will they fine ME $10,000?!?! :D

I flew R/C model airplanes for about 25 years when I was younger. The only FAA rule then was that you couldn't fly within some set distance of an airport--I think the limit was 1/4 mile, but I don't remember. Most of the "rules" regarding model planes were the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) guidelines. Model planes and helicopters were the 'drones' of their day and the distance from the controller and altitude at which they flew was generally limited by how far you could see the plane well enough to control it. That's still true, but the modern controls will operate the plane long after it is out of sight. If a modeler had the equipment the Air Force is using for their (our) drones and the fuel capacity was increased, there is no reason the models couldn't be controlled for hundreds of miles. Attach a camera, which some modelers were doing back in the '70's, and you have a spy plane, & unregulated. :D

I flew R/C model airplanes for about 25 years when I was younger. The only FAA rule then was that you couldn't fly within some set distance of an airport--I think the limit was 1/4 mile, but I don't remember. Most of the "rules" regarding model planes were the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) guidelines. Model planes and helicopters were the 'drones' of their day and the distance from the controller and altitude at which they flew was generally limited by how far you could see the plane well enough to control it. That's still true, but the modern controls will operate the plane long after it is out of sight. If a modeler had the equipment the Air Force is using for their (our) drones and the fuel capacity was increased, there is no reason the models couldn't be controlled for hundreds of miles. Attach a camera, which some modelers were doing back in the '70's, and you have a spy plane, & unregulated. :D