I think we will all agree that there is no stopping the drone interest explosion. They are here to stay. Currently the FAA requires all commercial use of drones to be done by a certificated pilot. Perhaps we should lobby the FAA, AOPA, EAA, and our elected representatives to make this part of the FAA's final drone regulations. I'd feel much better with a real pilot at the controls of a drone, and we'd see a swelling of GA's ranks.

You mean you dont feel as safe as if a bunch of kids that grew up playing video games and thinks flying a "video game" airplane around in the real world sounds really really cool? They've been training they're whole life for this. To go out there and really virtually fly from they're couch while eating Cheetos and drinking monster drinks.
I can't think of a more well rounded and suited generation to operate these safe computer controlled missiles in the GA airspace than them.
Why actually go out and physically have to learn how to actually fly a real airplane!? Do you realize how tiring that is? So much effort involved.
Virtual stuff is just as good. Come on Phil. Your being silly.
Besides. If they wreck it all you have to do is hit reset. Or fly through the rainbow and get an extra life.
My brother will be first in line for these jobs. (;
He's already got a supply of monster drinks stacked up beside the computer.
If you ask him. He's just as good a pilot as any of us. (;
Yep. Time to kill this morning.

I think we will all agree that there is no stopping the drone interest explosion. They are here to stay. Currently the FAA requires all commercial use of drones to be done by a certificated pilot. Perhaps we should lobby the FAA, AOPA, EAA, and our elected representatives to make this part of the FAA's final drone regulations. I'd feel much better with a real pilot at the controls of a drone, and we'd see a swelling of GA's ranks.

Not only must these drone pilots be certified pilots, they also must be current certified pilots. Currency is the big thing here.

SkySteve wrote:

I think we will all agree that there is no stopping the drone interest explosion. They are here to stay. Currently the FAA requires all commercial use of drones to be done by a certificated pilot. Perhaps we should lobby the FAA, AOPA, EAA, and our elected representatives to make this part of the FAA's final drone regulations. I'd feel much better with a real pilot at the controls of a drone, and we'd see a swelling of GA's ranks.

Not only must these drone pilots be certified pilots, they also must be current certified pilots. Currency is the big thing here.

Proficiency might be more important

Proficiency might be more important

True, but just like us, they will need a BFR. In other words, "THEY" are us.

Ummm, I think you guys are missing an important point here: In future, the vast majority of these things are going to be autonomous.....if the current crop of developers have their way.

Think Amazon....

MTV

I think the Private pilot requirement to fly a drone commercially is pretty ridiculous.
Do they need a multi-engine rating if the drone has more than one propeller?

If anything, there should be a separate license category for them because - past airspaces rules - there is very little commonalities.

They need their own training and certification path that runs along side the PPL.
Private Pilot
Recreational Pilot
Sport Pilot
Drone Pilot

They should be required to experience a violent mid air collision with with a baseball bat to the face, then the resultant rush of tear-drying wind and noise and then have blood drizzled in their eyes while looking for a good place to land.

Zzz wrote:They should be required to experience a violent mid air collision with with a baseball bat to the face, then the resultant rush of tear-drying wind and noise and then have blood drizzled in their eyes while looking for a good place to land.

That would do it. You should write the AIM section for drone pilots.

This week I've done two medicals on pilots who don't currently fly. They needed the medical for drone operations.

Mountain Doctor wrote:This week I've done two medicals on pilots who don't currently fly. They needed the medical for drone operations.

For the dreaded "heart attack at the sticks" scenario where the pilot, in the heat of his fatal infarction, falls onto the transmitter pinning the stick full forward, preventing the drone from automatically performing a GPS-assisted stable hover.

I just find that the oddest of requirements, while at the other end of the spectrum we lobby for getting rid of the medical for privately piloting aircraft up to 6,000 lbs.

Maybe drone pilots should wear a "dead man's switch" that monitors their vitals and lands automatically if the pilot slumps over. It's an afternoon's worth of code at the most.

I'd be happy if they just made them do this:



If they refuse that lesson, then maybe Zane's baseball bat to the face.

Here's some humor for the "drone" haters...

Zzz wrote:They should be required to experience a violent mid air collision with with a baseball bat to the face, then the resultant rush of tear-drying wind and noise and then have blood drizzled in their eyes while looking for a good place to land.

I like it....I'm an instructor, and I think I have a baseball bat somewhere in the garage......a whole new career path......I'll start advertising.

MTV

Zzz wrote:

Mountain Doctor wrote:This week I've done two medicals on pilots who don't currently fly. They needed the medical for drone operations.

For the dreaded "heart attack at the sticks" scenario where the pilot, in the heat of his fatal infarction, falls onto the transmitter pinning the stick full forward, preventing the drone from automatically performing a GPS-assisted stable hover.

I just find that the oddest of requirements, while at the other end of the spectrum we lobby for getting rid of the medical for privately piloting aircraft up to 6,000 lbs.

Maybe drone pilots should wear a "dead man's switch" that monitors their vitals and lands automatically if the pilot slumps over. It's an afternoon's worth of code at the most.

I suspect he's dealing with pilots who are flying "serious" drones, like Predators or Reapers, or maybe even Global Hawk......Prolly don't want someone having the big one, and launching a Hellfire missile at a Doctors Without Borders hospital.....oh, wait......

As an example, CBP operates Reapers along both the north and south borders. The pilots are all certificated Commercial pilots, and required to meet all those requirements. there are probably others as well, in addition to the military.

MTV

Zzz wrote:

Mountain Doctor wrote:This week I've done two medicals on pilots who don't currently fly. They needed the medical for drone operations.

For the dreaded "heart attack at the sticks" scenario where the pilot, in the heat of his fatal infarction, falls onto the transmitter pinning the stick full forward, preventing the drone from automatically performing a GPS-assisted stable hover.

I just find that the oddest of requirements, while at the other end of the spectrum we lobby for getting rid of the medical for privately piloting aircraft up to 6,000 lbs.

Maybe drone pilots should wear a "dead man's switch" that monitors their vitals and lands automatically if the pilot slumps over. It's an afternoon's worth of code at the most.

I don't even think most Third Class pilots need medicals much less R/C fliers...

These pilots fly for the National Guard, out of Pendleton, Oregon:

RQ7B Shadow:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RQ-7_Shadow

Of course; my tongue in cheek comments refer to the hobbyists.

Zzz wrote:Of course; my tongue in cheek comments refer to the hobbyists.

I just figured your beautiful young daughter was keeping you up at nights and you were getting a might punchy.

Barnstormer wrote:

Zzz wrote:Of course; my tongue in cheek comments refer to the hobbyists.

I just figured your beautiful young daughter was keeping you up at nights and you were getting a might punchy.

That too-- I'm under the influence of some heavy psychological torture from a 2 week old girl at the moment.