"William W. Plummer" wrote in message
news:rhVic.20812$YP5.1530448@attbi_s02...

I had an opportunity to speak with a Marine who operates UAVs as the
remote
pilot. He said he and others doing that job must be instrument rated
pilots
and the UAV must be on an IFR flight plan.

That may be true in his case (instrument rated pilot), but it isn't
required according to Larry's original post.

Given that, why would the
accident rate for UAVs be any different than normal IFR traffic?

1) Conventional traffic must "See and avoid" when in VMC even if
flying IFR.

2) The remote "pilot" doesn't need to keep alert to the extent that
the rest of us do because his life isn't on the line.