We need a PR Campaign

[Sandwich]

To those who have no idea of the capabilities of UAV, most hate them. I’m sure there are reasons, but even those who don’t have specific reason, they hate them. For the life of me, I don’t understand it. My prediction is that an uniformed public will demand they’re banned. For more than 60 years, model aircraft have had no problem, but 5 years of UAVs and we’re being restricted to the death of their use. Please use good judgement in future flights, I want to keep the ability to fly.

 

[RadioFlyerMan]

To those who have no idea of the capabilities of UAV, most hate them. I’m sure there are reasons, but even those who don’t have specific reason, they hate them. For the life of me, I don’t understand it. My prediction is that an uniformed public will demand they’re banned. For more than 60 years, model aircraft have had no problem, but 5 years of UAVs and we’re being restricted to the death of their use. Please use good judgement in future flights, I want to keep the ability to fly.

I agree.

Until UAV's are integrated into society via a widespread public use and need (like cars and iPhones), they will never be ignored nor accepted. Many of the things that we use in life have negative impacts (people die in cars), the risks for which society accepts... the good or the need outweighs the bad. But we haven't got the good or the need for UAV's yet. I'm doubtful that even more regulations, information campaigns, or deliveries by Amazon will solve that problem. There will always be the bad apples that will only make a general dislike or suspicion of UAV's increase.

That cynical outlook makes me hold off upgrading to the next model.

 

[Brockrock]

The primary difference between old day RC aircraft and today's UAV'S is the camera. That is what most folks are not comfortable with. They have no control over this device from above that can capture pics and vids, and they can really act out, way beyond measure.

Funny enough though, you pull out your phone to take a pic with them or their kids possibly in it, and they hardly take notice.

 

[superstarpup]

A few problems with public acceptance-

No barriers to entry. The fact any idiot with a hundred bucks can start operating one over their neighbor’s house with zero training, knowledge or experience doesn’t do much to convince people they are safe.

Too many people doing stupid things. Even on this website, plenty of examples of people operating carelessly with seemingly zero idea of consequences.

No perceived need. Even to someone who enjoys flying them, do you really think amazon needs to be delivering things with them? Sure they are great for photography, but that doesn’t make the average person feel any better about their weird neighbor flying them over and around their house.

 

[Kazzaaz]

I hate the fact that most people automatically associate drones with some type of heavy-duty surveillance operation.
The best PR is to just talk to people that look your way or seem curious about what you're doing.
Any chance I get, I try to show people my screen and demonstrate that "spying" is literally the last reason for me to be flying.

My interactions usually go something like,
"Have you ever seen our suburbs from the sky? Come check it out!"
"I know I look super weird standing around with this thing (remote), so I try to show everyone what I'm doing"

and if they say anything regarding privacy my favorite truth is:
"If I'm close enough to see through windows then I'm going to crash into it."

Flying around the suburbs has caught quite a bit of attention - I've had reactions from people laughing in amazement to one particular couple who followed the drone 2+ miles to my house, pulled out their phones to record me flying (quite legally), threatening to sue.
I've only had one altercation like that, but having my FAA registration number handy immediately shuts down any hostility once they realize (1) you are aware of the rules and are complying with the laws and (2) if they have any doubts they can contact the FAA directly.
Even in that case the situation was calmed down enough for him to put away his phone...

99% of the time I am flying at 30+ mph at 200+ ft. AGL and very, very, obviously unconcerned with any particular subject on the ground.
At the end of the day, people like that are just ignorant and looking for confrontation (unless you are clearly infringing on their space or hovering in their backyard or something).

That being said, always be conscientious about people and their peace and quiet.
With that couple, I offered to avoid the general area to which they snapped back with, "WE DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW WHERE WE LIVE".
Okay, then you're going to see it again. Have a nice day.

Paranoia will not keep me from my favorite hobby.

 

[SandiSCE]

The primary difference between old day RC aircraft and today's UAV'S is the camera. That is what most folks are not comfortable with. They have no control over this device from above that can capture pics and vids, and they can really act out, way beyond measure.

Funny enough though, you pull out your phone to take a pic with them or their kids possibly in it, and they hardly take notice.

What really astonishes me about this particular concern/fear is that they don’t seem to make any connection to the fact that satellites and manned aircraft are able and in fact already doing on massive scale and pinpoint accuracy what they are afraid the drone operator is doing on a much smaller scale and degree of detailed accuracy. They cannot claim ignorance of that since the results are on their phones and computers in full view every day. I don’t recall anyone vehemently protesting Google vehicle operators or aerial photo airplanes when they patrolled their homes with high powered cameras and technology to produce Google maps and Google Earth.

 

[DanMan32]

I've only had one objection by someone after having finished flying. They introduced their concerns about flying over private property, which I thought was about being photographed. Turned out my P3 was disturbing their dogs and wanting to chase it, even at over 100ft up.
Otherwise they didn't care and thought it was cool.
Park officials in Tampa area seem to have issues too. I'd love to fly from a good spot along the Hillsborough river.

 

[Bill combs]

What really astonishes me about this particular concern/fear is that they don’t seem to make any connection to the fact that satellites and manned aircraft are able and in fact already doing on massive scale and pinpoint accuracy what they are afraid the drone operator is doing on a much smaller scale and degree of detailed accuracy. They cannot claim ignorance of that since the results are on their phones and computers in full view every day. I don’t recall anyone vehemently protesting Google vehicle operators or aerial photo airplanes when they patrolled their homes with high powered cameras and technology to produce Google maps and Google Earth.

your average person doesn’t think about how those maps are made only that they are there to be used

 

[Mr. Salty]

To those who have no idea of the capabilities of UAV, most hate them.

I haven't found that to be true and it's a vast overstatement.

I recently started a new job and when my coworkers found out I had a job they all wanted to see it and talk about it and I was asked to bring it to a company picnic. And in my four years of flying I've never had a negative comment. The people who have approached me have all been curious and positive about it.

 

[kensteele]

To those who have no idea of the capabilities of UAV, most hate them. I’m sure there are reasons, but even those who don’t have specific reason, they hate them. For the life of me, I don’t understand it. My prediction is that an uniformed public will demand they’re banned. For more than 60 years, model aircraft have had no problem, but 5 years of UAVs and we’re being restricted to the death of their use. Please use good judgement in future flights, I want to keep the ability to fly.

you honestly don't know why model aircraft have not had a problem? go to an event and see for yourself, inside 5 minutes you'll understand why.

 

[Slade]

The primary difference between old day RC aircraft and today's UAV'S is the camera. That is what most folks are not comfortable with. They have no control over this device from above that can capture pics and vids, and they can really act out, way beyond measure.

Funny enough though, you pull out your phone to take a pic with them or their kids possibly in it, and they hardly take notice.

And let’s not forget the multiple satellites overhead with high resolution cameras.

 

[kensteele]

a pr campaign won't work. people are selfish. they don't care if you fly drones downtown or over other people's property...they just care when you start flying over their property. then, it's a problem.

just like cellphones, nobody cares if you talk on the phone until you're in their way. nobody cares when the press take pictures of celebrities in public. it's not a problem until it's about me.

the only way to combat this is to push back. that's the only way it's going to work. don't spend many years on trying things that are a waste of time, we've already been through this before.

 

[SandiSCE]

your average person doesn’t think about how those maps are made only that they are there to be used

Exactly!!!

 

[Harro]

Model aircraft don't usually have cameras, fly from their airfield, are always within line of sight and don't fly over densely populated areas, hence people are more ready to accept them.

 

[KS-6]

Model aircraft don't usually have cameras, fly from their airfield, are always within line of sight and don't fly over densely populated areas, hence people are more ready to accept them.

Exactly. Plus, they have limited range and fairly short flight durations in comparison.

I have joined this site to give my impression of drones from perhaps a unique standpoint. I have been a professional advertising and fine art photographer for over thirty years and have flown hundreds of aerial missions in everything from small fixed wing, helicopters, ultralights and even fighter jets. The aerial perspective is a dynamic and informative one, it is a favorite POV of mine. But it is serious business up there, period.

So when drones first appeared on the scene, I was not all that interested in them because the still image quality was just not there. And before sensible protocols were put into place regarding airspace, especially over National Parks, I was pretty freaking annoyed by them. I vowed to not join this parade until the free-for-all mentality was put into check and now it is moving that direction.

Even as new part 107 cert holder and a user of a Mavic 2 pro, I still find these devices to be at the very least, annoying, it's by far the most disruptive piece of equipment I own do to my job so I tread lightly with it and play it safe.

I think things will progress on both the regulation and hobby ends of it all but I have asked people about what is the most troublesome aspect of these aircraft and it is that they are disruptive and if used with lack of consideration, intrusive. Hopefully both technology and sensible public awareness will bring about consensus but up until recently I have been in the annoyed camp more than anything. This was especially true when the aerial firefighting effort was hampered last year near our home due to someone flying a drone despite the TFR notifications.

I'd say if you want a PR campaign, then you find a way to stop hobby users from spoiling it for you, because as long as it is abused, I am on the side of the reporting party and can fully empathize with them.

 

[kensteele]

..., then you find a way to stop hobby users from spoiling it for you, because as long as it is abused, I am on the side of the reporting party and can fully empathize with them.

this is part of the problem right here.

 

[Smokieflies]

The camera is the issue. Even with my expensive Dslr's I have had people question why and what I am photographing. While I don't run as in as much problem as with my drone (drone is louder and draw more attention to itself), once I show people what I am photography, I usually do not have any issues. I am mostly a nature photographer so that is what I am photographing. If people are in my shots, they are small, un identifiable, and there more for sense of scale then anything else.

Satellites, yes have camera's on them (as does google and the iPhone maps cars), but again people picked up are not noticeable, and the government is not posting their spy pictures on twitter or you tube. It is why I usually shoot in the morning, less people, better light (usually) and its also when I have most of my free time.

 

[gnirtS]

A PR campaign is pointless until the idiots causing annoyance and problems are removed.

 

[Harro]

Unfortunately as far as drones are concerned the only action we see, and will see in the future, is more government restrictions on the hobby. As is the general case, the vast majority that are affected by the restrictions will not or cannot do much about the problem.