To columnist Arthur Black: I am very disappointed with you. I thought that you were reasonably well informed, but your recent column in The Parksville Qualicum Beach News (Jan. 5) dispels that view, however.
First off, the word ‘Quadrotor’ is the correct name for all of the four-engine radio-controlled helicopters that are being sold. The word ‘drone’ was formerly used in reference to unmanned military craft, most of which are fixed-wing aircraft (some helicopters) which are remote controlled and carry exceptional cameras.
Yes, there have been a few idiots with less common sense than a six-year old, who should be fined, or locked up, but the majority of the quadrotors sold cost less than “a few hundred dollars” and do not even carry a camera of any sort. There is a certain satisfaction to be gained from learning to fly one of these aircraft. Some do cost a couple of thousand dollars, but most of these are to be used commercially — estate agents, park managers, fire departments, etc.
It would be appreciated by the few of us who fly responsibly that you refrain from giving unnecessary credence to the idea that everyone who flies a radio-controlled device is a maniacal pervert. Some of us fly for fun, or for recording our families at play.
If you want to see what responsible people are doing to ensure that their flying is safe, look up ‘UAVcoach’, ‘FPV’, and ‘Drone racing’ on Google. Yes, most are American-based sites, but it is an indication of how Canada will react in the near future. And there are Canadian Aviation guidelines on flying radio-controlled craft available online.
By the way, I will be 70 this month. Because you get older in years does not mean you have to lose your sense of wonder, or adventure.
Richard BakerParksville