On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:16:38 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
On Wednesday, August 13, 2014 8:28:41 PM UTC-4, wrote:



The scary thing is that any idiot with the money to get one can endanger themselves and others, they are remarkably easy to fly. I'm just waiting for the first serious midair with a GA aircraft, a balloon or a glider.



That's a valid concern, but to put the risk in perspective, they weigh 3-5 pounds. Given their long-armed-structure, shape and size, a mid-air would probably be a glancing blow. A serious accident is certainly possible.



I think the people flying these are birds-of-a-feather with glider pilots and I'd hope that we stay on friendly terms and not be antagonistic when and if our paths cross.

Dear SOF, being clueless and naive should not be an excuse for spouting nonsense. Who is going to pay for the hole in your wing or the damaged canopy or worse after that "glancing blow" you envision? Being hit on your turn to final can well bring down the glider, especially when considering a solo student pilot. This subject is not trivial and we should be unflinchingly opposed to mixing drones with piloted aircraft, including the scenarios Sean is proposing with his "non-profit". He knows that flying drones commercially is verboten right now. Wonder who is going to insure his activities?