[mikester]

I really hate seeing folks do this around neighborhoods. It seems irresponsible to me. I've been flying RC aircraft for a bit over 30 years now and one thing that was taught to me very early on was that the number 1 rule is safety.

Flying at an established flying site in FPV mode with a proper spotter and the FPV pilot on a secondary controller and a line of sight pilot on the primary controller is the safe way to execute this type of flying.

Flying over and through neighborhoods, prohibits the pilot's ability to use a proper spotter and if something were to happen to the airplane where would it go? Worst case is through someone's window and if it is a lipo battery that gets damaged in the crash you're likely going to experience a house fire.

I hope you have home owners insurance with a proper rider to cover that kind of damage. Since you weren't following the safety code - AMA isn't going to help you.

Plus - the FAA is in its flipping ridonkulous rule making phase (and has been for what seems like 2 years) to figure out how to classify this kind of flying and as a result there is a general feeling in the RC flying community that there is a real danger to our hobby from regulation.

FPV flying is cool. Do it at a flying site with the proper accommodations for safety. Safety for the plane operations, operators, surroundings and selfishly - the lifestyle's of other flyers.

I've done it - it is amazing and extremely flipping cool.

Be responsible. If something goes wrong with your flight, you end up in the news, the hobby gets a black eye. Sorry if I'm a buzz kill - I'm a little protective of the hobby. After 30 years of having flying sites taken away and now this FAA sUAS thing - I'm worried it could really hurt the hobby.