Darren
Maunu
, Canada
Posted on
2020-02-23 13:53:38
“I’ve been flying models for about 40 years and it started out as a family activity. I’ve always loved aviation but over the years have dealt with heath issues. Between failure to hold a medical and financial costs of manned aviation, model aviation has allowed me to continue my love of aviation.
I fly model planes and helicopters along with camera carrying drones for recreational and commercial use. Due to how and where some drones are operated I have no issue with some aspects of drone ID, like positioning information of the drone being made available to those who require it for safety (air traffic, police etc.). But my model aircraft are not operated in the same way as some of my drone operations. They are flown strictly line of site and within a limited distance of me and ave no complex electronics to allow for GPS positioning or any autonomy. I fly them for the love of flying and have been flown safely for 4 decades.
Just like in manned aviation, where you have different types of aircraft (ultralight, light sport, rotary wing, etc.) and different ratings (VFR, IFR, multi-engine, float, etc.) all treated differently with different rules/regulations, you have the same with remotely piloted aircraft. You have model planes and helicopters that are flown line of site, you have FPV with capabilities to fly beyond visual line of site, then you have drones design for a purpose like aerial photography and have GPS, autonomous capabilities, etc. None are the same nor should they be seen as the same. Just like in manned aviation, a good set of rules is based on what is being flown and how it’s being operated. It should be the same for remotely piloted aircraft where rules are based on what and how something is being flown.
Model aviation is a very important part of my life. After enjoying it for 40 years, I couldn’t imagine not being able to fly like I safely have because it is almost restricted out of existence.”