The direction of Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA), and her partners is clear: to profit from the industry. Their emphasis on regulation and implementation of their ideas, such as the proposed “verified operator,” shows this. The general public needs to understand the current drone laws and why they were passed, but proposals like Ellman’s are yet another way to profit from this industry.
The “Before You Fly” apps are a prime example of this. Why do these apps require user fees? Couldn’t the money appropriated to create such apps be used to create free apps for users?
This initial fear of drones will pass as it did with the automobile, airplanes, cell phones, and other forms of technology we now take for granted. From what I know, drones have yet to kill anyone in this country. Can other forms of transportation say the same? I thought people and businesses had the right to conduct their businesses. Police already have their hands full, now they need to investigate why a drone is being flown ? Remote id has its place. I think using the point of sale would work more efficiently to track UAV’s. As someone who flys for fun and I am preparing to get my remote pilot license only to protect myself from the public and their scrutiny as well as to open more airspace to fly freely. I have to contend with the public everytime I fly. So many times as I am flying do I get approached by someone who “knows more of the rules than myself.” And the judgement, is awful. Some of the things people have tried to imply on me because I enjoy flying my drone.
Educate the people, register UAV’s at the point of sale, keep remote pilot licenses for commercial use in place, provide a user friendly, free app that one must sign into to utilize LAANC and other helpful features. And yes certain places of importance need to be protected with a no fly zone. But at the same time maybe offer one day a year where in a controlled setting we allow pilots an opportunity to fly in these areas. Im talking places of interest, landmarks not business or critical infrastructure. I hate to see this industry fall like how they did it to the vape movement. Government should foster new ideas and technologies. More voices, ideas & views need to come from the remote pilots and public, not just the Politicians and business leaders.