I have a suggestion, which may not be practical for everyone, but may be for many. Go out to the airport. Talk to the FBO manager and employees (if a bigger airport, find a flight school). Tell them what you do. Buy an hour of flight time (they’ll often give you a discount for a short flight for a discount; ask for a “Discovery Flight”) to see how the airport operates, how low they get on takeoff and landing, etc.
Of course, you still need to go through the proper channels to make sure you’re ok to fly.
As both a pilot and drone operator, I understand both sides of the airspace issue, and I understand why many pilots and airport operators are worried about drones. We worry about the same sorts of over regulation as drone pilots do (which is why we as drone operators are lucky to have AOPA on our side, which looks out for pilots and airports). But most pilots and airport folks will have a connection to anyone who’s interested in flying and understanding the airspace if you get to know them.
Pilots are worried about the yahoos who buy an expensive drone, don’t follow the rules, and cause us to have to do a go-around. Explain that you’re not one of those people and I suspect you’ll be fine. Better yet, invite them over to fly your drone (with appropriate supervision, of course). Many of them will probably become obsessed and come join us on this side.