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Drones Are Becoming A Threat!
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Syma Freak
Admin
August 6, 2015 - 4:15 pm
Member Since: November 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 1452
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Thanks MikeK,

I had to put a a friend of mine after a 35 year friendship into a nursing home as he has bad dementia, worst illness a human could ever get.

Any way, X8 review soon, different to the X5c and to be honest the X5 for the price has to be the best quad for fun ever had, and I have lots of them. The pocket quad bought,and doing review on that is great fun.

I like the idea of the boat. Supernova is into boats and he makes them and has a self righting boat, will try to find video, but imagine taking off from water to fly and land on earth..all I see is this is doable and will be available soon, again thank you for your posts, much appreciated.

"Fly like a butterfly sting like a Syma" http://syma107.com

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MikeK
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July 28, 2015 - 12:59 pm
Member Since: February 1, 2014
Forum Posts: 178
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Syma Freak said
Great post guys- gives me a idea to start a new thread on-are we flying Drones or Quadcopters and the difference for us as hobby flyers to others that are risking a potential to kill this hobby... give me your thoughts guys. Syma is getting into quads big time now, due to a family crisis not finished my review of the Syma X8..Also check this neat quad from Syma, the X9, a car that flies, does not seem to be available yet to purchase.

 

SF,

The quad/car is a cute idea.  I think another good idea would be a quad/boat, a simple, floatable body that wouldn't sink if it dropped into water.  I live on one side of a small lake.  I have a friend who lives on the other side.  I would like to fly a quad across this lake and harass him but I wouldn't dare because I know it would unavoidably fall in (my luck).  But a body, or an attachment, with simple plastic pontoons in place of landing skids would solve that problem for quad pilots who want to fly near or over water.  

Anyway, sorry about your family crisis.  Hope it goes away soon.  We look forward to your X8 review.  I'd like to know how you think it compares with the x5c (which is a hard act to follow).

 

Regards

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Syma Freak
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July 27, 2015 - 12:11 pm
Member Since: November 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 1452
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Great post guys- gives me a idea to start a new thread on-are we flying Drones or Quadcopters and the difference for us as hobby flyers to others that are risking a potential to kill this hobby... give me your thoughts guys. Syma is getting into quads big time now, due to a family crisis not finished my review of the Syma X8..Also check this neat quad from Syma, the X9, a car that flies, does not seem to be available yet to purchase.

https://youtu.be/yIDif6swkEo

"Fly like a butterfly sting like a Syma" http://syma107.com

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MikeK
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July 22, 2015 - 6:04 am
Member Since: February 1, 2014
Forum Posts: 178
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JamDJ said
Mike,

   I saw the report also, and admit I had the same thoughts. Thankfully no one was

seriously injured, but there was literally $10s of thousands if not more, damaged to the

vehicles burned in the fire.

   I must admit that during my brief time here as an admin added to the 3 years I've been

a member of this forum, this post is without a doubt, the single most thought-out piece

I've seen written. I'm assuming you live in the USA.

   Normally, I like to keep our posts focused on the S107, but as the technology as well

as our forum grows, I felt the need to reply. We all pretty much started with the 107, then,

we wanted to fly outside, thus the arrival of the S03x and S3x series. Next we all wanted quads,

4 channel, etc. Follow the pattern?

   I just finished the official forum review of the X6 and hope to have it to SF by this weekend.

Spoiler alert: I'm amazed by this thing, it's speed, height/range, and flight accuracy.

That said, I hope you are wrong, also. I can see the benefits of commercial-grade drones

like anyone else on here. Unfortunately, some take it too far like we saw in California and

will spoil the hobby for the rest of us. They may be hobbiest drones and quads, but those

flying them are far from "hobbiests" whom respect what these aircraft can do now.

Like yourself, I see a predicament soon approaching that will "keep the good guys off

the streets". I fully understand that they  should not be flown where there is any danger

to the public if a quad gets away, or a drone may disturb the tranquility of our National

Parks. However we, as hobbiests, who don't misuse these flying machines, should have

a right to exercise the freedom of flight! We need to establish what constitutes a hobbiest/

toy flying machine as opposed to something that might be developed by Boeing or Airbus.

Problem is that it was the operators of hobbiest-grade helis that caused problems in California,

not the quads themselves. I believe we may be in a no-win situation. Maybe we need to

lobby Congress and Legislature before we loose yet another freedom.

   Meanwhile, keep flying your X6 proudly, ironic that the body of the quad is red, white, and blue!

JamDJ,

Thanks for the kind words.  

The fact is I have given a lot of thought to the possible consequences of drone interference with firefighting operations in California.  I'm concerned because I've been around long enough to know there are U.S. Congressmen who leap at opportunities to pass restrictive laws.  They do it for three reasons: (1) Ego (a law with their name attached to it), (2) It makes them look busy, (3) It looks good on their re-election resume.  I perceive this issue to be one that will attract a lot of attention by federal (FAA) officials and Congressmen.

As if the firefighting issue isn't enough justification to propose anti-drone legislation, now there are YouTube videos (several) of drones with lethal handguns attached -- and they work intimidatingly well!  I've posted one video elsewhere and there are more.  What comes instantly to mind when watching these videos is potential in the hands of terrorists or technologically competent crazies. 

Why I find this issue personally relevant is it will affect my decision about spending a substantial amount of money on a sophisticated drone, one which is capable of attaching a GoPro camera -- or a .45 automatic to, and then having a law passed forbidding or severely restricting its use.  And, as I've said, we may rest assured there are FAA officials pulling the coat-tails of Congress, and there are Congressmen who already are contemplating language of a prospective bill.  

I once compared the progress of hobby drone technology to that of microcomputers.  But it appears the progress of drone technology is significantly outpacing that of computers.  Every day there is something new.  

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JamDJ
Lancaster, PA, USA
Admin
July 20, 2015 - 12:59 pm
Member Since: February 14, 2012
Forum Posts: 264
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Mike,

   I saw the report also, and admit I had the same thoughts. Thankfully no one was

seriously injured, but there was literally $10s of thousands if not more, damaged to the

vehicles burned in the fire.

   I must admit that during my brief time here as an admin added to the 3 years I've been

a member of this forum, this post is without a doubt, the single most thought-out piece

I've seen written. I'm assuming you live in the USA.

   Normally, I like to keep our posts focused on the S107, but as the technology as well

as our forum grows, I felt the need to reply. We all pretty much started with the 107, then,

we wanted to fly outside, thus the arrival of the S03x and S3x series. Next we all wanted quads,

4 channel, etc. Follow the pattern?

   I just finished the official forum review of the X6 and hope to have it to SF by this weekend.

Spoiler alert: I'm amazed by this thing, it's speed, height/range, and flight accuracy.

That said, I hope you are wrong, also. I can see the benefits of commercial-grade drones

like anyone else on here. Unfortunately, some take it too far like we saw in California and

will spoil the hobby for the rest of us. They may be hobbiest drones and quads, but those

flying them are far from "hobbiests" whom respect what these aircraft can do now.

Like yourself, I see a predicament soon approaching that will "keep the good guys off

the streets". I fully understand that they  should not be flown where there is any danger

to the public if a quad gets away, or a drone may disturb the tranquility of our National

Parks. However we, as hobbiests, who don't misuse these flying machines, should have

a right to exercise the freedom of flight! We need to establish what constitutes a hobbiest/

toy flying machine as opposed to something that might be developed by Boeing or Airbus.

Problem is that it was the operators of hobbiest-grade helis that caused problems in California,

not the quads themselves. I believe we may be in a no-win situation. Maybe we need to

lobby Congress and Legislature before we loose yet another freedom.

   Meanwhile, keep flying your X6 proudly, ironic that the body of the quad is red, white, and blue!

The following users say thank you to JamDJ for this useful post:

Syma Freak
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MikeK
Member
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July 19, 2015 - 5:45 am
Member Since: February 1, 2014
Forum Posts: 178
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I'm at the stage where I can keep my Syma s5c flying through a full charging cycle without the slightest bump or misbehavior.  While my reflexes automatically respond to up/down, left/right, forward/back requirements my aging brain is yet to reflexively master the fourth-channel (turning 'round) movements.  But that will come in time.  And when it does I will then begin contemplating the next step up from the venerable x5c to a serious quad -- a real drone.

What I mean is a quad which is big enough and heavy enough to fight a 20mph wind and has GPS, auto-home, a gimbal-mounted Go-Pro camera, FPV and fixed hover capability.  I've already begun pre-consciously planning how I can squeeze a $1,500 - $2,000 expenditure into my already squeaking budget -- but something is happening which I'm beginning to expect will permanently limit me to flying the S-107 and mini-Chinook around my living room and the x5c around my back yard.  That something is the likelihood of federal restrictions on the use, and possibly the possession, of any r/c heli bigger than and more capable than the x5c and similar toy category helis.  

This morning the tv news reported on a California forest fire that swept onto a major highway, halting traffic, setting fire to several stalled cars and sending hundreds of stalled motorists running for their lives.  And when firefighting helicopters arrived they were unable to descend onto the affected area to dump water on the burning cars because they were impeded by the presence of four "hobbyist" helicopter drones! 

Rest assured this event, and several more I've read and heard about, will not escape the attention of various official categories, mainly the FAA, which will push very hard for restrictive laws.  And while I hope I'm wrong, I expect that right around the time when my skill level justifies my shopping for a serious drone there will be restrictive licensing requirements and usage constraints which will not only dampen my enthusiasm but will apply the brakes to this new and rapidly developing industry.  

Again -- I hope I'm wrong.  

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