What are some of the most ludicrous things you've heard pertaining to this hobby?

[GadgetGuy]

In my experience, I usually place confrontations in three categories and deal with them accordingly:
A. Those who are intrigued about drones and have questions.
B. Those who are misinformed, but willingly accept correct info when told.
C. Those who are misinformed, but unwilling to accept any correct info no matter how utterly wrong they are.

C. Can also include security guards and even LEO's! Best not to argue with anyone carrying a badge and a gun! Never ends well.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Your family member is not alone in feeling this way. If you ask around, and tell others of your drone flying, you'll find similar reactions. it isn't about legality. It is about their perception, and no amount of logic or reasoning will dissuade them from such beliefs.

Not sure this is entirely true. For instance, on the occasions I've had someone upset about "spying" on their family and property, I've been successful in changing their minds a few times by simply showing them what the wide-angle view is from 150 feet.

Doesn't satisfy everyone, but some people are reasonable and will respond to logic and actual evidence.

 

[Dave Pitman]

Been doing this so long, I have all the usual stories. I just wanted to share one story that even surprised me.

I was operating from a parking lot of a small marina where I was collecting video. I had just landed the drone when a guy comes heading over to me from across the parking lot. He was being very loud yelling at me that I was intruding on his privacy as he saw the drone pass over his live-aboard boat. To my shock, he got the attention of a lot of the other people doing whatever in the parking lot. Before he could get to me and before I said anything to him, several of the folks intercepted him and started "educating" him that the marina was a public place and quite photogenic, and if he didn't like the marina being photographed, then that was his problem. I did not know any of these people, and I didn't even talk with them afterwards.

The angry dude confronted with a group of strangers telling him to calm down did the trick. And he turned around before he ever got to me. It was an amazing encounter!

 

[paulhackerllc]

Well, I am on almost 5 acres here that backs up to several hundred acres of what is essentially uninhabited woodlands that I have a clear line of sight to where I am. In a nutshell, this was supposed to be a new hobby that I could enjoy without leaving the confines of my own home. A long commute and long work days means I really don't want to leave home if I don't have to.

I never imagined that I would get the backlash on this that I have and I am by no means obnoxious about it. I am always between 200-400 feet in altitude, I never fly directly over homes, and if I end up having to transit over someones property I make sure I am above 300 feet and fly as fast as I can.

Part of the problem is I started sharing images/videos with people close to me not realizing they either couldn't care less or have an issue with drones. The attached photo ( screenshot from a video ) shows what I am mostly interested in looking at...I consider it harmless, I was surprised when others had a different opinion.







I already have an Air3S and a M4P..mentioned in the OP.

It’s unfortunate that you have already ran into people with negative attitudes towards the industry. This can squash your enthusiasm and make you question when and where to fly.

Here is what I do to help offset that feeling, of course follow the rules being number one, check TFR’s in the area, LAANC approval if you are questioning the area and I call local non emergency number to let them know who I am and where I’m flying.

Outside of that, surround yourself with people who enjoy drone photography and try to educate those that will listen.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Not sure this is entirely true. For instance, on the occasions I've had someone upset about "spying" on their family and property, I've been successful in changing their minds a few times by simply showing them what the wide-angle view is from 150 feet.

Doesn't satisfy everyone, but some people are reasonable and will respond to logic and actual evidence.

There are exceptions, but the law of unintended consequences suggests that actually showing them what your camera is truly capable of capturing today will likely only cause even greater concern, especially with the new 3x and 7x telephoto cameras of the Air 3 series, Mavic 3 series, and Mavic 4 Pro. At a distance of 150 feet, you can easily read license plates. Add in up to 4x digital zoom on the 7x telephoto and the 28x hybrid zoom is better than most binoculars, and certainly good enough for search and rescue from much higher altitudes. It has been useful enough in Ukraine for surveillance that they were needing 10,000 Mavic 3's per month to replenish the drones being shot down, and used for Kamikaze flights with grenades attached!