Comments for Left Seat

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Roughneck

Roughneck — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:21:43 +0000

I see no benefit in drones/UAV’s/RPV’s. They still take an operator (NOT A PILOT) to monitor and control, and the bigger ones take a team of technicians to prepare for flight and to maintain. Our politicians and businesses are being sold a load of snake oil. KEEP PILOTS in the cockpit! While I am at it, BRING THE JOBS AND AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURING BACK FROM CHINA! Any “pilot” who takes a job operating a drone/UAV/RPV better not call himself or herself a pilot any more, because they are NOT! Lest you argue with me, I am sure that there would be 10,000 pilot applicants for any flying job to fly a light aircraft to do the same mission as a drone/UAV/RPV. I am sure a light aircraft could do the mission more economically and safely. The economist compare UAV’s to jet fighters and business jets to come up with their economic justification. Try the same comparison with a light aircraft and their numbers no longer favor the UAV’s. In my book the only place for UAV’s is in a deep strike mission into enemy territory that is too dangerous for a manned mission.

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by John Carter

John Carter — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:07:43 +0000

Well said everyone. I have no doubt that these mindless drones will immediately be used to subvert freedom everywhere, starting by peering through my bathroom window to check out my wife’s grecian body. The lobbyists from the “industry” are obviously spending taxpayer money, not private investment from companies that find themselves unable to compete with foreign outfits because they can’t test or develop legally in the US. Also, the government and the news choppers have no capability to zoom in and recognize your face from a mile out, that’s just sci-fi! But the drones will change everything. Private investment in new technology should be banned so we can all live in the Garden of Eden again.

This will also make my life easier, since the principle reason I fly out of a grass strip in southern PA is to look at the neighbors sunbathing near the runway threshold, which has been established by these neighbors as a violation of privacy. Instead, I’ll just use a drone. It will work so much better than a manned airplane!

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by flyingfisch

flyingfisch — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:33:57 +0000

I agree. This drone business is disconcerting.

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by sean

sean — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:28:46 +0000

So there was a human in control when the military UAV ended up in Iran?

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Stormy Dayton

Stormy Dayton — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:04:15 +0000

Seems like quite a few pipeline/weather spotter/powerline/cropdusters/news reporting/banner tower’s and other pilots and observers, may be looking for a new line of work ! I don’t relish one hovering over MY back yard, however my neighbor should be watched ! ! (tongue in cheek)

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Sonny m

Sonny m — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:36:31 +0000

Mac hit the nail on the head: lobbyists plus congress equals soaking the taxpayer for whatever……in this case model airplanes that will cost millions to “guard” the public against unknown bogeymen. Pipeline patrol, hah! How about cameras following you, peering into your back yard, following your car, watching you on your farm or ranch. The government is totally out of control spending money on anything to “stimulate” the economy. What a joke! Where’s the public outrage? Follow the money!

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Ben Marion

Ben Marion — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:41:09 +0000

P.S. to my earlier comment….Why isn’t AOPA , EAA, and every other Aviation Outfit fighting this ?…Ben Marion

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Ben Marion

Ben Marion — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:38:23 +0000

I agree with several of the other people’s comments. This is nothing more than another violation of American’s right to privacy. We have NEVER been able to trust our own Govt. on these issues, and we never will. There is NO good reason for this other than the capibility to SPY ! Call your Congressman…Ben Marion.

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by R. Rollins

R. Rollins — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:18:12 +0000

Have followed your outstanding work for years. How is it you can now be so far behind the curve regarding the subject of drones…?

Comment on The Drones Are Coming by Jim Hardin

Jim Hardin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:47:16 +0000

Big or small these RPV’s represent a hazard in the airspace system!

Like anything, they are perfectly safe as long as EVEYTHING is working as it should. And therein lies the problem…

If anything goes amiss you know have a 25 pound, uncontrolled projectile! Keep in mind a bowling ball is 10 to 16 pounds and moves at far less speed.

And what of the operator?

Keep in mind there is absolutely NO RISK to the operator hence they are completely detached from all consequences when making decisions…

If they want to ‘share’ the system, they should be required to ‘share’ the responsibility!

I feel they should be required to pass both written, oral, and Flight exam based on the requirements for at least a Sport Pilot Certificate, including an Operations Review (quiz & flight) every 2 years!

Equipment needs to be tested along the lines of a TSO… We can’t have these things going rogue because someone turned on a microwave to warm their coffee.

These things are coming! We need to make sure as much safety is built in before they start, not as a reaction to an incident.