I am new to flying and this forum, but one thing seems quite obvious to me in my few short weeks here. Pilots not only need to have extensive knowlege, they also need wisdom and humility. It is truly a privilege to fly unmanned aircraft in the public space and that privilege WILL BE curtailed drastically if pilots do not pay attention to the signs at hand. Here is one sign I heard on NPR just yesterday:
On Point for January 28, 2019
The other sign is the hubris I have witnessed when pilots (and I use this word reluctantly) crash their drone and then come to this forum for help with a self-righteous attitude. Time and time again I have watched experienced pilots dissect flight data of a crashed drones only to reveal that the operator was flying at an AGL 3 or 4 times higher than what is considered safe within our community. Then these seekers of help defend their blatantly poor judgment (like flying downwind in 40 MPH wind for miles) on DJI, software, wind, or __________ by asserting some modicum of experience they possess. It is a comedy of sorts but my laughter is filled with reserve.
I am thrilled by the opportunity to fly and I would hate to have it ruined by those who willingly read long threads like those in this forum and simultaneously fail to study even the basics of Aeronautics. I know this is a bit of a rant, but it does come with a few suggestions:
1. Humility is born from knowing how little you actually know, so thank your teachers and drop the self-righteousness.
2. UAS Part 107 study material is a great base of knowlege even if you do NOT want to be a commercial pilot, so start studying.
3. Knowlege is only good if your experience can manage it, so take what you have learned and test it out in the air while practicing number 1 above.
4. Managing knowlege in a crisis is challenging and requires practice, so challenge yourself in a safe place.
Fly wise, fly humble!
On Point for January 28, 2019
The other sign is the hubris I have witnessed when pilots (and I use this word reluctantly) crash their drone and then come to this forum for help with a self-righteous attitude. Time and time again I have watched experienced pilots dissect flight data of a crashed drones only to reveal that the operator was flying at an AGL 3 or 4 times higher than what is considered safe within our community. Then these seekers of help defend their blatantly poor judgment (like flying downwind in 40 MPH wind for miles) on DJI, software, wind, or __________ by asserting some modicum of experience they possess. It is a comedy of sorts but my laughter is filled with reserve.
I am thrilled by the opportunity to fly and I would hate to have it ruined by those who willingly read long threads like those in this forum and simultaneously fail to study even the basics of Aeronautics. I know this is a bit of a rant, but it does come with a few suggestions:
1. Humility is born from knowing how little you actually know, so thank your teachers and drop the self-righteousness.
2. UAS Part 107 study material is a great base of knowlege even if you do NOT want to be a commercial pilot, so start studying.
3. Knowlege is only good if your experience can manage it, so take what you have learned and test it out in the air while practicing number 1 above.
4. Managing knowlege in a crisis is challenging and requires practice, so challenge yourself in a safe place.
Fly wise, fly humble!