Josh

, United Kingdom

Posted on
2020-02-19 18:51:23
“Hello, my name is Josh. I began flying FPV quadcopters just over a year ago, this hobby has taught me so much that I would never have learnt in school. E.g. How to properly solder, how to diagnose electrical and software issues effectively. Without this hobby I would never have found what I truly love to do, build and fly. I was originally studying computer science, but after discovering FPV I realized that my true passion is in robotics and I am now beginning a University course in Robotics and AI this September. However it isn’t just that, this hobby also saved me from a mentally dark place. After the death of my Uncle 2 years ago to suicide, I became extremely depressed and was denied from serving in the Military because of that mental illness. I was borderline suicidal myself. This hobby gave me a reason to improve myself. I wanted to become a better pilot, I wanted to get better at building, I wanted to go out and explore areas in a way that I never could before with the help of my FPV quadcopter. I began striving to become a better person and can confidently say that I am doing so much better now than I was a year ago. This hobby not only taught me valuable skills, it also gave me a reason to reach out and talk to people I would never have talked to before. I have made friends through this hobby that I wouldn’t know otherwise. To me (and many others), flying isnt JUST a hobby, It’s a lifestyle. To see it disappear due to this proposal would be heartbreaking to say the least. If the FAA’s proposal were to be put through in it’s current state, it would destroy the hobby and community, causing so much harm to so many people. I know for a fact that I am not alone when I say that FPV saved my life. Thank you for your time, and I hope that you take my testimony into consideration. -Josh”