Mike-the-cat
Second Officer
Flight distance : 22488593 ft
Singapore
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A fortnight ago, I encountered the kind of behavior that contributes to the kind of legislation Canada just installed against recreational multirotor activity.
At a good quality resort in a country that still has open skies for multirotor flights, I was walking to my room on an expansive lawn when I heard the familiar buzz of a Mavic. The bird was hovering outside an apartment in the complex, just hovering for about 30s. The pilot was nowere to be seen (he was sitting on a couch in his room).
Suddenly the craft zoomed skywards on a diagonal trajectory and a few seconds later, descended along the same trajectory. The pilot kept doing this several times.
An irate guest got up onto his balcony and shouted out 'Is it legal to use THAT in this country?'
When I replied to the affirmative, he shook his head in disgust. Zero tolerance. I've seen that sanctimonous look before too many times. Profile: middle aged, wealthy, probably influential and 'don't mess with me'. On that same property, a far louder lawn mower frequently plows the grounds and nobody complains. So I don't get these people. The pilot, wasn't peeking into HIS apartment.
I reminded the pilot (who had a slew of action cameras) that if he wanted to continue flying, he should take into consideration other's sensitivities and to keep his craft at a respectful distance from the apartments.
I've flown around that property but from a discrete distance and elevation without issues before and was saddened by both the pilots behavior and by that of the guest.
The Mavic is a great 'point and shoot' drone but I fear that its success might also be accompanied by pushback from people who don't appreciate our hobby.
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