Jim
Underwood
, Banning
, California
, United States
Posted on
2020-02-23 16:10:59
“This is what I wrote in the comments for the proposed rule:
I am 60 years old and I only started flying RC planes 1 1/2 years ago. I got interested when I found the Flite Test website and videos on the internet. I wanted to do this since I was a teenager. I found that using 2 sheets of 20″ x 30″ foam board costing about 3 bucks I could create a plane to fly. I did get a transmitter, receiver, ESC, electric motor, servos and some other items so I could go flying a remote control plane. I started learning in a park with a large dirt parking area with open fields all around. This first plane I started with was the Flite Test Tiny Trainer. I still use the plane to warm up with before flying other planes. I have built several new wings and fuselages for the plane after many crashes as I was learning to fly and even now with mistakes or malfunctions (I attached a picture of what the Tiny Trainer looks like now). The receiver, ESC, motor and servos have been replaced at times and can be used in other planes. Sometimes a plane will only make 1 flight and the electronics are pulled out and used in another plane. I have 3 planes now and will be building more.
I share this with you because as I began to hear about this proposed rule I became concerned about how this will affect what I can build or fly cheaply. I understand that the air is getting more crowded and delivery drones are already being tested and safety and security are a big concern. I know you need some over site to keep the air safe. I also thank you for all the work you all do.
This rule will take a hobby that to me at this time is real simple to get into and make it complicated and more expensive if I have to ID every plane and make sure the ID still works after every hard landing.
According to the provisions of the FRIAs I would no longer be able to fly in open fields if I do not have an ID and if the closest AMA field (20 minutes away) closes anew cannot be approved. So I would have to find another one that would be about an hour away or more.
I am asking that you would take a new look at this rule as it pertains to flying RC planes. Please consider all the input you are getting from leaders in the industry like Flite Test and Horizon Hobby.”